Emerging Leaders Scholarship (Student Academic Success)

The Emerging Leaders Scholarship is awarded to in-state and out-of-state first-year students who demonstrate an interest in leadership development and qualify for eligibility according to our requirements. It is available to first-time students and renewable for up to 4 years for students attending the University of Memphis Main Campus. Applicants must have applied and been accepted to the University of Memphis.

To be eligible for Emerging Leaders, students must have:

  • Minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
  • Minimum of a 21 on the ACT or minimum of a 1060 on the SAT
  • Ongoing involvement and leadership throughout their high school years including, but not limited to, clubs and organizations, community service, athletic involvement, and/or local and community organization membership.

After the initial application process, a virtual interview process will be conducted before the final Emerging Leader cohort is chosen. The interview process will take place in mid-February during business hours. Students who are chosen for an interview will receive further details via email.

The Emerging Leaders program can accept up to 35 students in each incoming cohort. A portion of those spaces are available for out-of-state students, who are eligible for an out-of-state tuition waiver.

Note: The Emerging Leaders Scholarship cannot be combined with any of the following:

  • Cecil C. Humphreys Presidential Scholarship
  • Provost Scholarship
  • Dean’s Scholarship
  • First Scholars
  • Academic Excellence Award
  • Academic Achievement Award
  • Trustee Awards
  • Memphis Advantage
  • Rising Leaders

Renewable Criteria

  1. Renewable with the maintenance of a 3.0 cumulative GPA.
  2. Renewable each semester with the completion of all paperwork and other program responsibilities, including workshops, campus and community involvement, professional development activities, academic coursework, and speaker and program-specific meeting attendance, as outlined and communicated by program staff each fall and spring semester.
  3. Recipient must enroll as a full-time student during the fall and spring semesters, completing at least 12 credit hours per semester and 24 hours annually. No scholarship will be available during summer classes.
  4. Selected applicants must attend New Student Orientation (separate from student-athlete orientation), Frosh Camp, and a kickoff meeting for incoming and existing Emerging Leaders in the summer before their first semester. All dates will be communicated at the time of selection.
  5. Students must live in the Emerging Leaders Learning Community in Centennial Place during the first year of the program and must remain enrolled at the main University of Memphis campus during all semesters the scholarship is awarded. Housing costs are the responsibility of the student and are not included in the $5,500 scholarship amount.
  6. Students will be subject to judicial checks by the Office of Student Accountability and must remain in compliance with the Student Code of Rights and Responsibilities as a condition of participation in the Emerging Leaders program.

Award
$5,500.00
Deadline
02/01/2025
Supplemental Questions
  1. Emerging Leaders Scholarship Program Contact Information
    • Please provide your home phone number.
    • Please provide your mobile phone number.
    • Please provide your personal email address.
  2. Emerging Leaders Scholarship Program Questions
    • Are you planning to attend the main campus?
    • Candidates must submit documentation that demonstrates their leadership background and interest in a leadership development program. How do you define Leadership? What skills, behaviors, qualities, and characteristics does a leader need to have to be successful? For a more detailed example please visit our website:
    • Describe a situation in your community that you would like to change or improve. What strategies and steps would you take to create change in this area?
    • Emerging Leaders are required to live on-campus throughout their first year at the University of Memphis. Those accepted to the Emerging Leaders program will be required to reside in the residence hall designated by the program and on the Emerging Leaders floor in order to receive the Emerging Leaders Scholarship. Are you able to comply with this requirement for your first year at the University of Memphis?
    • Leadership involves engaging with a multitude of diverse people. How have you worked alongside those who are different than yourself? What did you learn?
    • Please upload an individual photo of yourself.
    • The Emerging Leaders Scholarship Program provides enriching experiences to a selective group of dedicated students. What is your primary motivation for applying? Please tell us why this type of program is interesting to you and why you should be selected. (Max 500 words).
    • What are the most important values you demonstrate as a leader? Provide an example of these in practice.
    • What past leadership experience has been the most transformational? What did you learn, and how did that experience affect your perspective on leadership? (400 words maximum)
    • Who inspires you and informs your style of leadership? Talk about why they inspire you and what their specific form of leadership may be. (500 words maximum)