Find Your Program

Or browse by

Browse our programs

Commitment to Social Change Scholarship Recipients

In spring 2009, Walden University awarded its Commitment to Social Change Scholarship to five incoming graduate students who have achieved positive social change in their fields and possess clear visions to do more of the same in the future.

The next application deadline is Oct. 1. Read the application criteria.

Two doctoral students received $5,000:

Recipient: Caron Jacobson

Title: Instructor at Governors State University (Ill.)

Program: PhD in Human Services

Social Change Achievement: Founded Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness, the first sexual assault prevention and education program in Michigan; served as executive director for Women ARISE, an agency that provides services for women in the criminal justice system

Social Change Goal: To support women in the criminal justice system and eliminate the cycle of incarceration

Recipient: Bridget Smith

Program: PhD in Public Health

Social Change Achievement: Identified the relationship between cockroach allergens and asthma, as well as prevention and intervention methods; worked on tobacco prevention and community environmental health programs with the Miami-Dade County Health Department

Social Change Goal: To determine effective strategies that reduce the prevalence of emerging environmental health issues

Three master’s degree students received $2,500 each:

Recipient: Sarah E. Forrest

Program: MS in Psychology

Social Change Achievement: Medical mission with a nongovernmental organization in Peru, as well as several previous academic and volunteer experiences in East Africa

Social Change Goal: To establish a nonprofit organization that promotes accessible mental health care services to Africans in culturally sensitive and appropriate ways

Recipient: Natanya Jennings, Pharm.D.

Title: Research pharmacist

Program: Master of Public Health

Social Change Achievement: Conducted a research study on African-American women infected with HIV; guest researcher for HIV-prevention methods with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Social Change Goal: To serve the HIV-prevention movement beyond the role of a traditional pharmacist

Recipient: Dr. Lisa R. Norman

Title: Associate professor of the public health program, Ponce School of Medicine (Puerto Rico)

Program: Master of Public Health

Social Change Achievements: Works with impoverished women in public housing in Ponce, Puerto Rico, to increase HIV/STI testing and educate them about the risk of contracting HIV

Social Change Goal: To decrease HIV infection among impoverished women

Whether looking for information on programs, admissions, or financial aid, we're here to help.

Fill out the form and we will contact you to provide information about furthering your education.

Please use our International Form if you live outside of the U.S.

  • Step 1: Contact Information
  • Step 2: Academic Interests

Are you or your spouse an active or retired U.S. military service member?*

By submitting this form, I provide my signature, expressly consenting to calls, prerecorded messages, messages created by generative artificial intelligence, emails and/or texts regarding my educational options from Walden University (Walden) and its contractors using an automated dialing system to the number and email address provided. I understand my consent is not required to enroll at Walden, and that I can withdraw my consent at any time. To request information without consenting, please call 866-492-5336. For telephonic communications, message and data rates may apply. Message frequency may vary. To opt out of communications via text messaging reply STOP or HELP for help or call 866-492-5336. For more information, visit Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.