I am excited to accept your recommendations for Ithaca College’s sixth cohort of BOLD Scholars. With continued support from the Helen Gurley Brown Foundation, Ithaca College is able to add a sixth cohort of strong leaders to our BOLD network.
BOLD Scholars - women and female-identified students selected in their sophomore year to be in the cohort for their junior and senior years. They will receive financial support of up to $27,500 each per year, intensive career mentoring, leadership training, and the opportunity to develop a campus transformation project. The Ithaca College inaugural cohort of BOLD Scholars was selected in Fall 2017.
BOLD Scholars are dynamic, authentic, courageous and thoughtful student leaders who want to make an impact on campus, in their communities, and in the world. BOLD Scholars are encouraged to leverage their own identities, strengths, and collective knowledge to positively impact social change and foster inclusive campus environments. To learn more about the BOLD Program, please visit our website: https://www.ithaca.edu/bold-womens-leadership-network
All faculty and staff are invited to recommend students who fit the below criteria. I will reach out to any student that receives a recommendation and encourage them to apply. Please submit your recommendation via the BOLD Women’s Leadership Network Recommendation Form by Friday, January 21st at 11:59pm (please note that students' applications and application materials are due by Monday, January 10th). You can also let a student know you have or are planning to submit this recommendation on their behalf, and encourage them to apply via the BOLD Women’s Leadership Network Application. The application for students is open from December 8th through January 10th.
Recommended students for the BOLD Program must meet the following criteria:
- Class of 2024 - planning to graduate in May, summer, or December of 2024
- Students who identify as women or female
- Full-time enrollment with good academic standing (applicants must have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA. Applicants with a cumulative GPA between 2.2 and 2.5 will be considered on a case-by-case basis after review by a selection committee.)
- Exceptional leadership abilities including strong critical thinking skills
- Demonstrated ability to work well in groups and capacity to facilitate challenging discourse
- BOLD Scholars are not required to reside on campus for the duration of the program
- The scholarship is need based – students should contact student financial services they have questions about their eligibility based on financial need
Previously, we have not permitted any scholars to study abroad or study away during their time as a scholar. This is due to the intimate nature of the cohort and the intense workload that is required by all scholars. We will now consider, on a case-by-case basis, applicants who plan to study abroad or study away during their last two years at Ithaca College. This will be based on their action plan to contribute meaningfully to their cohort, and to be a successful scholar while away from Ithaca.
Please feel free to email bold@ithaca.edu or BOLD Program Director, Samantha Elebiary, at selebiary@ithaca.edu if you have any questions. Thank you for your partnership in this exciting endeavor.