Incoming Student Funding
Graduate students in the Department of Public Health Leadership and Practice are eligible for a variety of funding opportunities. A listing of available funding and awards sponsored by the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and other resources is maintained by the School’s Office of Student Affairs.
The UNC Graduate School support a small number of competitively awarded merit assistantships. The Department of Public Health Leadership and Practice and each of the School’s other Departments may nominate incoming students who meet stringent academic criteria. Awardees are selected on a campus-wise, highly competitive basis. For a student to be eligible for nomination, they must apply as a full-time residential student and have an available GRE report. Students may not apply directly but may indicate their desire to be considered for this award when applying. Application deadlines to be announced.
The UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health offers other incoming student awards (e.g., Alumni Association Endowed Scholarship, Annual Fund, etc.) for which students may not apply directly but may indicate their desire to be considered when applying. Application deadlines will be announced in the fall.
The Department of Public Health Leadership and Practice has received funding to annually award the top student(s) with the Gillings Merit Scholarship(s). All degree-seeking graduate applicants are considered and the recipient(s) is selected based on their academic merit, exceptional promise and potential.
Health Leadership Awards
Individuals interested in helping provide financial support for the following awards may do so online at the Gillings School of Global Public Health Donate Now page by clicking on the Department of Public Health Leadership and Practice.
David Steffen and Jill Kerr Family Scholarship
Purpose: To support students within the Department of Public Health Leadership and Practice, or its programmatic successor. It is the Donor’s preference that while the Fund be made available to all qualified students, particular attention be given to applicants who demonstrate a commitment to improving public health practice.
History: Two scholarships will be available for currently enrolled graduate students in the Department of Public Health Leadership and Practice in the Gillings School of Global Public Health, established in October 2021 with the first scholarships awarded in Spring 2023.
Eligibility: All admitted students in the Department of Public Health Leadership and Practice are eligible.
Selection Criteria: Selection will be based on the applicant’s demonstrated commitment to the field of public health practice and improving the practice. Awardees are selected after review by a committee including the Associate Chair of the Public Health Leadership and Practice Department and at least one other faculty or staff member from the Department of Public Health Leadership and Practice. Disbursement shall be at the discretion of the Chair of the Public Health Leadership and Practice Department.
Award: Recipients will receive a monetary award.
Imogene Pence Klingenfus Endowment
Purpose: To provide scholarships for incoming and currently enrolled graduate students in the Department of Public Health Leadership and Practice who are committed to leadership in public health practice with a preference to provide funding to public health nurses or nurses with an interest in clean water or maternal and child health. A scholarship will be available for graduate students in the Public Health Leadership and Practice in the School of Public Health, established in 2010.
History: The Imogene Pence Klingenfus Award was established in 1996 through the generosity of the husband of an outstanding and beloved public health nurse who also served in the United States Air Force as a Flight Nurse. Mrs. Klingenfus worked in public health departments throughout North Carolina and worked for six months as an American Red Cross volunteer during the polio epidemic. She also served as a Captain in the United States Air Force. While in the Air Force, she was a member of the trans-Atlantic air evacuation squadron and flew 87 missions across the Atlantic and numerous missions to Southern Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.
Eligibility: All admitted students in the Department of Public Health Leadership and Practice are eligible, with preference given to nurses. Recipients may be awarded a second year of funding.
Selection Criteria: Selection will be based on the applicant’s demonstrated commitment to the field of nursing. Financial need will also be considered.
Jean Tower Lassiter Scholarship Fund
Purpose: To provide scholarships for incoming and currently enrolled graduate students in the Department of Public Health Leadership and Practice who are committed to leadership in public health practice with a preference to provide funding to public health nurses or nurses with an interest in clean water or maternal and child health. A scholarship will be available for graduate students in the Public Health Leadership and Practice in the School of Public Health, established in 2010.
History: This Fund will memorialize Jean Tower Lassiter, a devoted wife, mother and public health nurse who dedicated her life to improving the health of the people of North Carolina. In addition to working as a public health consultant throughout southeast North Carolina, she was president of the North Carolina Public Health Association and an active member of the North Carolina Nurses Association. She was also a beloved mentor, advising Future Nurses of America chapters, and helping young people achieve their healthcare ambitions. She was a tireless advocate and champion for clean water, maternal and child health, and aid to migrant workers, setting up clinics to serve migrant workers and their children.
Eligibility: All admitted students in the Department of Public Health Leadership and Practice are eligible, with preference given to public health nurses or nurses with an interest in clean water of maternal and child health, and aid to migrant workers. Recipients may be awarded a second year of funding.
Selection Criteria: Selection will be based on the applicant’s demonstrated commitment to the field of nursing, clean water or maternal and child health, or aid to migrant workers. Financial need will also be considered.
Rachel Stevens Scholarship for Public Health Leadership
Purpose: To provide scholarships for incoming and currently enrolled graduate students in the Department of Public Health Leadership and Practice who are committed to leadership in the field of public health practice. A scholarship of up to $1,000 will be available for graduate students in the Public Health Leadership and Practice in the School of Public Health, established in the 2003-2004 academic year.
History: Dr. Rachel Stevens was one of the founders of the Public Health Leadership and Practice, which is dedicated to preparing public health practitioners for leadership positions. Rachel Stevens is an effective visionary, a valued mentor and a gracious leader who has meant much to public health practitioners across North Carolina and throughout the Southeast. It is most appropriate that a scholarship benefiting the legacy of Rachel Stevens has been established in her name at Carolina.
Eligibility: All admitted students in the Department of Public Health Leadership and Practice are eligible, with preference given to students who have completed approximately one-third of their degree requirements and a demonstrated commitment to continued practice and service in the field of public health practice. Recipients may be awarded a second year of funding.
Selection Criteria: Selection will be based on the applicant’s demonstrated commitment and minimum of five years of experience in the field of public health practice; leadership skills and academic excellence. Financial need will also be considered. Awardees are selected after review by a committee including the Associate Chair of the Department of Public Health Leadership and Practice and one other faculty or staff member from the Department of Public Health Leadership and Practice. Disbursement shall be at the discretion of the Chair of the Department of Public Health Leadership and Practice.
Additional Awards and Student Funding
For the Gillings School of Global Public Health scholarship descriptions, application process and deadlines, please see the School’s Student Affairs Student Awards and Funding page. To explore Fellowship opportunities and other funding support, please see the UNC Graduate School website, UNC Graduate and Professional Student Funding and UNC GLOBAL funding.
