Urban Health Program Scholarships

Urban Health Program Barbara White-Walker Scholarship Fund

For incoming first year black male students pursuing a full-time degree at UIC. One must share their academic goals, leadership skills and community involvement. They must also commit to having a mentor for their first year on campus.

Barbara White Walker was a dedicated educator, teacher and mentor for over 42 years in the Chicago Public School system. She retired from Whitney Young High School in August of 2007. Mrs. Walker provided spiritual and academic guidance to countless young students that came along her path and she beamed with joy & pride in their success as adults.

Barbara received her Masters of Education in Instructional Leadership from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1997 where she developed a strong affiliation to this institution. As a result, she became very involved with the UIC Black Alumni Advisory Council (BAAC) which she helped revitalize after years of being idle. Through the council, she became a strong advocate for students of color and served as the student relation’s committee chair for BAAC. Her goal was to help black students succeed in the University setting and to encourage them to strive for excellence. Her son David Julian Walker always knew of his mother’s passion and work towards helping black students; thus, he was inspired to create this scholarship in his mother’s memory.

Scholarship Objective

The scholarship is intended to help black males at UIC succeed especially during the beginning of their academic career. Thus, the objective is to provide financial support, along with guidance of a black alumnus mentor from the UIC Black Alumni Advisory Council, to ensure that the scholarship recipient has a strong foundation for success.

Scholarship Criteria

The Barbara White Walker scholarship is for African American male students who are pursuing their undergraduate degree at the University of Illinois at Chicago. The scholarship is a one-time payment of a $1000 towards school fees, which will be given to a student who is committed to their educational success at UIC.

Only first year students will be considered for the 2014-2015 academic school year. The student should be enrolled as a full-time student on campus as well. To be eligible, one must be a U.S. Citizen and an Illinois Resident.

Preferential consideration will be given to students who demonstrate a dedicated pursuit towards their academic career as evidenced by involvement in course of study, work and volunteer service or leadership in organizations. Since this scholarship is intended for incoming freshman, applicants’ high school work will also be reviewed.

In addition, the student must commit to meeting with a UIC Black alumnus mentor for their first year in school at UIC. This involves monthly in person meetings along with periodic electronic and phone communications between the scholarship recipient and the alumni mentor. Once a student is identified to receive this funding, they will then be assigned an alumni mentor. Student must proceed with paying their tuition fees at the beginning of each semester. Scholarship payment will then be credited to the student’s account at the end of the school year only upon the successful completion of their first year mentorship process. This scholarship is not renewable and is applicable only for one year.

Scholarship Follow Up

After the year mentorship process is over, the student is encouraged to continue to meet with their mentor in the years following to ensure a successful journey at UIC. However, after the 1st school year mentorship process, the student must submit an essay stating what kind of role the mentor played in helping to make their first year on campus successful. And the alumnus mentor must provide a written statement saying that the student participated in all their mentorship sessions and also share how they believe they were able to help shape the student’s first year. Once the administrative office receives these documents, the student’s account will be credited the full $1000 tuition money for the year

Important Information

The UIC Urban Health Program reserves the right to review the conditions and procedures of this scholarship program and to make changes at any time, including termination or editing of the program during the year. If the student does not follow through on their mentorship commitment, they will be disqualified from receiving the financial support. For those who have financial aid, please contact the UIC Student Financial Office to discuss if this money may have an impact on your account. Their number is 312-996-3126.