Diversity Scholarships
Dr. Michael F. Noe Diversity Scholarship
The Dr. Michael F. Noe Diversity Scholarship provides scholarships to students from historically underrepresented populations, including Native Americans, who demonstrate academic excellence and financial need. It is intended to promote educational diversity, equity, and inclusion consistent with the values of the School of Public Health and Health Professions.
The vision for the Dr. Michael F. Noe Diversity Scholarship not only is to financially support students who are pursuing a degree in the SPHHP, but also to attract and retain the best candidates, foster student growth outside of the classroom, and ultimately benefit diverse populations that the school serves. A service requirement is highly recommended and will be determined by the Assistant Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
SPHHP Awards to Promote Student Diversity
The School of Public Health and Health Professions (SPHHP) offers stipends and tuition scholarships to students who have been admitted to a master's-level graduate program or the Doctor of Physical Therapy program, who will be enrolled on a full-time basis, and students who will contribute to the diversity of the student body in the graduate or professional program in which they will be enrolled. Applicants to the BS/MS in occupational therapy may also apply for a tuition scholarship which is awarded for the MS portion of the degree (final 2 years).
Students who will contribute to the diversity of their program and their field based on sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, religion, socio-economic status, veteran status, first-generation status, or experience of exclusion are encouraged to apply for these awards. Students who can demonstrate that they have overcome a disadvantage or other impediment to success in higher education are especially encouraged to nominate themselves.
Students apply for a diversity award when applying for admission to the program of their choice. However, information shared in the diversity award application is not used for admission decisions.
Max Villatoro | 2021 Recipient
"As a first generation Hispanic student, I was extremely honored to receive the SPHHP diversity award. This award helped reduce barriers of coming from a low income family and helped me accomplish my dream of becoming a physical therapist at an excellent DPT program."
SPHHP Student Diversity Fund
The goal of this fund is to reduce barriers to attending SPHHP professional programs among students from diverse backgrounds and support pathway programs.
SPHHP's learning community is enriched by differences in perspectives and background. A diverse student body, faculty and staff is instrumental in promoting cultural competence in public health and clinical practice. The school therefore is taking action to increase diversity among students, faculty and staff, with first in family to attend college, sex, nationality, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, religion, socio-economic status, veteran status, students who have experienced social exclusion, and to support the specific needs of international, first-generation, transfer and returning students.
The fund will provides tuition support to professional and other graduate students from diverse backgrounds.
Hamilton Wilson Student Support Fund
History of the Fund
In Spring 2018, Greer Hamilton, MSW ’16, and Danise C. Wilson, MPH ’14, launched the Hamilton Wilson Student Support Fund to promote diversity and representation within their professions and health and human service workforce. As graduates of the University at Buffalo MSW and MPH programs, they recognized the need to support students to ensure their success during school and within their career.
Fund Overview
The Hamilton Wilson Fund provides $1,000 in support for a student who is a member of a traditionally underrepresented population enrolled in the Master of Public Health (MPH) and Master of Social Work (MSW) programs at the University at Buffalo. The award is meant to be used towards school-related expenses such as books, field placement, transportation and other needs awardees may have. Students may apply in any year of their program as long as they are enrolled in MPH courses in the semester during which they apply. A call for applications is typically circulated in September.
