Scholarships and Awards
Patricia Pierce Conference Scholarship
Patricia Pierce served as WHET’s Historian for many years. She dedicated much of her time to many organizations to help promote opportunities and advocate for equity for women. This scholarship is designed to support women graduate students and professionals who would like to be enlightened and empowered at the annual WHET conference.
The recipient of this scholarship must be a WHET member.
Patricia Pierce Conference Scholarship Application. The deadline for applications is September 15.
Previous winners include:
- 2023 – Ms. Shelby Flowers, BSN student FNP, Austin Peay State University
2020 – Ms. Nicole Gammons, Department of Biology Graduate Teaching Assistant. Middle Tennessee State University - 2019 – Ms. Janet King, Flowserve, Project Manager
- 2018 – Kayce Beam, Jackson Center Director, University of Tennessee Martin
Dr. Hal R. Ramer Professional Development Scholarship
The Dr. Hal R. Ramer Professional Development Scholarship provides a WHET member the opportunity for professional development that would not be provided by the member’s home institution.
Scholarship funds may be applied to conference fees up to $500. Selected recipients are required to make a presentation at the WHET annual conference. Only WHET members are eligible to apply. Moreover, individuals on WHET’s Executive Board are not eligible.
Please complete the information below and attach a short (400 – 500 word) essay describing the professional development activity you would like to attend and how attendance at the seminar or conference will benefit your professional development. Also, discuss how you have mentored others in the past, and your vision for mentoring others in the future.
Dr. Hal R. Ramer Professional Development Scholarship Application. The deadline for applications is September 15.
Previous winners include:
- 2023 – Dr. Alice Camuti, Associate Dean, Tennessee Technological University
- 2019 – Dr. Josephine McQuail, English Professor, Tennessee Technological University
Lori Groves-White Conference Scholarship for Graduate Students
Lori Groves-White served as a member of the WHET board for many years. She had a passion for helping students gain the tools they needed to achieve their dreams. This scholarship is designed to assist female graduate students studying Higher Education.
The scholarship covers the cost of one year’s membership and the cost of registration at the WHET annual conference. Please share this application with your employees, co-workers and friends in higher education.
Lori Groves-White Scholarship Application. The deadline for applications is September 15.
Previous winners include:
- 2023 – April Crenshaw, Associate Professor, Chattanooga State Community College, attending Vanderbilt University
- 2020 – Ms. Erika Dibrell, Graduate Studies Administration, Graduate Assistant; Tennessee Technological University
- 2019 – Katelyn Dibrell, Master of Accountancy Student, Tennessee Technological University
- 2018 – Dr. Francis Canedo, Dean of Humanities, Northeast State Community College
Woman of Achievement Award
A Woman of Achievement is a dedicated leader who has earned admiration and respect; has a clear vision that inspires others; mentors and serves as a role model for other women; faces challenges with grace and courage; lives with dignity, integrity and honor. Guidelines for nominations include:
- Any female student, faculty, staff or alumna of an institution of higher education in Tennessee may nominate a Woman of Achievement.
- The Student and Faculty/Administrative nominee must be enrolled in or be an employee of a Tennessee college or university.
- The Community or Business Leader nominee must have affected the lives of women in Tennessee.
- The awardee must be a WHET member.
To submit a nominee, please complete and return the following required documents:
- Woman of Achievement Award nomination form
- A letter of recommendation for the nominee
- The nominee’s resume, vita, or list of honors and awards
The deadline for nominations is September 15.
Previous winners include:
- 2023 – Dr. Phyllis Adams, Professor of Communications, Motlow State College
- 2020 – Dr. Judith Iriatre-Gross, Professor of Chemistry, Middle Tennessee State University; Dr. Wendy Thompson, Vice Chancellor for Organizational Effectiveness, Tennessee Board of Regents
- 2019 – Dr. Robbie Melton, Graduate School Dean, Tennessee State University
- 2018 – Henrietta Lusk, Vice President, Tennessee College of Applied Technology Crump
June Anderson Award
The June Anderson Award is presented at the WHET annual conference to a woman who has met the majority of the following requirements:
- Demonstrated leadership in WHET
- Developed curricula that enhance understanding of the role women play in various disciplines
- Mentored other women
- Demonstrated advocacy for women in the community
- Supported women in becoming better qualified to advance in higher education professions
- Demonstrated influence that impacts opportunities for women beyond the bounds of Tennessee
- The awardee must be a WHET member
To submit a nominee, please complete and return the following required documents:
- June Anderson nomination form
- A letter of recommendation
- The nominee’s resume, vita or list of honors and awards
The deadline for nominations is September 15.
Previous winners include:
2023 – Dr. Crystal Banks, Executive Director, The Black College Fund and Ethnic Concerns,
General Board of Higher Education & Ministry, The United Methodist Church
2020 – Mrs. Patricia Burks-Jelks, Director for Human Resources, Equity & Diversity, and Compliance at University of Tennessee Space Institute (UTSI)
2019 – Laura Monks, President, Tennessee College of Applied Technology Shelbyville
2018 – Dr. Jewel Winn, Deputy Chief Diversity Officer, Tennessee State University
Book Scholarships
The WHET book scholarship was established in 2019 to address the concerns with the rising cost of textbooks.
Two $500 book scholarships will be awarded to a current female student enrolled at a WHET Institutional Member technical college or a current female student entering her sophomore, junior, or senior year of study at a member community college or university. Applicant should have a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA.
The review committee will evaluate applicants based on GPA, extra-curricular activities/community service involvement, and an essay which demonstrates originality, creativity, organization of thought, and proper spelling, punctuation and grammar.
The deadline to apply is September 15. The scholarship will be awarded at the WHET annual conference. The scholarship recipient must attend the conference for the scholarship award presentation. Scholarship funds will be released to the student account at the beginning of the spring 2022 semester.
Previous winners include:
- 2023 – Olivia Campbell, Master of Professional Studies, Tennessee Tech University
- 2022 – Emilee Mena-Rodado, Exercise Science, Tennessee Tech University
- 2020 – Marena Mikaiel, Risk Management and Insurance major, Middle Tennessee State University
Rosemary Reid, Hospitality and Tourism Management, Middle Tennessee State University - 2019 – Emily R. Buckner, Human Resources Management major,
Tennessee Technological University