America Reads * America Counts Team Leader Scholarships

To apply, click HERE!

Application Deadline: March 1st

Contact Information: Morgan Studer (mohughes@iupui.edu or 278-3474)

Program description:

The America Reads*America Counts (AR*AC) Team Leader scholarship is a service-based scholarship program in which IUPUI students who have served at least 2 semesters in good standing as an America Reads*America Counts coach serve as leaders of their coaching site’s team.  Team Leaders act as liaisons between their tutoring site and IUPUI.  Team Leaders will work closely with site supervisors and teachers to schedule coaches with students; plan and facilitate bi-weekly team meetings; communicate regularly with site and IUPUI staff; and create a team atmosphere at their site.

Students are selected based on their previous coaching experience with America Reads*America Counts, their commitment to serving the Indianapolis community, and their demonstration of leadership ability.

Team Leaders are required to attend monthly leadership trainings in addition to monthly coach trainings.  They are to serve an average of 6 hours per week leading their teams plus an additional 2 hours per week (approximately) coaching 2 students in reading or math during the academic year, September-April.  Scholars will not be expected to serve during the fall, winter, or spring break weeks.  Service hours will begin with a mandatory orientation in late August.

Award Amount:

America Reads*America Counts Team Leaders receive a $3750 scholarship from IUPUI disbursed in increments of $1875 at the beginning of each semester.  Scholarships are renewed each semester for scholars who properly fulfill their scholarship commitment.

Scholarship Requirements:

• Commitment to serve as a student leader on campus and in the Indianapolis community
• Previous involvement for at least 2 semesters as an America Reads*America Counts coach in good standing
• Enroll at IUPUI for at least nine credit hours per semester
• Maintenance of at least a 2.75 grade point average
• Serve at your community site for 6-8 hours per week from September through April
• Complete mandatory orientation at the beginning of the Fall semester.

Scholar Responsibilities:

• Consult with site supervisor to identify children and youth to be tutored at your site
• Schedule all children or youth with each coach
• Orient all coaches to your site
• Attend Team Leader trainings the third Friday of each month from 1:00-3:00 pm
• Attend monthly coach trainings the first Friday of each month from 10:00-12:00 or 1:00-3:00
• Schedule, plan and facilitate meaningful bi-weekly meetings for the coaching team at your site
• Prep for and coach 2 students each week at your site
• Assist with evaluation of coaches and learners at the end of each semester
• Follow all guidelines set forth in the Team Leader and Coach Resource Manuals
• Other duties as detailed by the America Reads*America Counts IUPUI Staff

Application Information:

1. Complete the online form
2. Respond to the following questions:

For new Team Leaders:

1. Why do you want to become a Team Leader?
2. During your time at IUPUI, how has your participation in America Reads*America Counts made an impact on the Indianapolis community?
3. How has your participation in America Reads*America Counts made an impact on you personally and professionally?
   
4. How have you demonstrated leadership abilities within America Reads*America Counts or, alternately, a student organization, other work place, or other volunteer experience?
   
5. If selected as a Team Leader, what strategies will you utilize to build a strong and effective team at your site?
   
6. What special plans or projects would you like to see at your site in the coming year?

For returning Team Leaders:

1. Why are you interested in serving as a Team Leader again?
   
2. How has your role as Team Leader helped you develop both personally and professionally?
   
3. What resources or support would you like to see for new and veteran Team Leaders next year?
   
4. What special plans or projects would you like to see at your site in the coming year?
   
5. Describe at least one contribution you will make to your site as a veteran Team Leader, based on what you have learned about being a Team Leader over the past year(s).

3. Letter of Reference. Name and email address of one individual to serve as a reference for you. This individual should be someone (not a peer) who can comment on your leadership ability or potential. This may be a current or former supervisor, teacher, or mentor.

Terms of Agreement:

• Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.75
• Enroll at IUPUI during the current academic year for at least nine credit hours per semester
• Serve 6-8 hours per week for the scholarship, as defined in the program description
• Complete the scholarship on-line Letter of Agreement
• Attend relevant trainings and other scholarship-specific meetings

Important Dates:

Sam H. Jones Community Service Scholar Orientation:  Thursday, August 15th and Friday, August 16th from 8:00am – 5:00pm.

Interviews will take place the week of March 18th.

All applicants will be notified the week of March 25th if they have been accepted.