National Association of Social Workers, Hawai’i Chapter
NASW Student Scholarships
2020 Application Description and Guidelines

 The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Hawai’i Chapter Board of Directors continues to focus on the future of social work and the need to recruit more social workers into the profession.   In keeping with this goal, the NASW HI Student Scholarships were established in 2009 to support students in their education and pursuit of careers in social work. 
 
The annual NASW Hawai’i Chapter scholarship campaign is supporting two scholarships of $1,000 each to students who are currently enrolled in a social work program at Brigham Young University – Hawai’i, Hawai’i Pacific University, and the University of Hawai’i.  The NASW Hawai’i Chapter Board of Directors seeks applicants that have made a single or ongoing significant contribution to their community, are members of NASW, and are in good academic standing at their social work program.
 
Eligibility Criteria:

1. Currently enrolled student in good standing (no holds or probationary status; no outstanding ethical, criminal or other complaints) in one of three accredited social work programs in Hawai’i.
2. Active member of NASW.
3. Completed application form and all materials submitted by due date.

 
Application Materials:

1. Applicants are required to submit the material electronically, paper copies will not be accepted.
2. Materials must include copies of: 1) your NASW membership number (please make sure your membership is current , or your application will be deemed ineligible) 2) your current or upcoming class schedule.
3. Each applicant must complete a personal statement responding to the themes, questions and guidelines outlined below.  Your statement should be no more than 1500 words.
4. One reference letter from a faculty or staff member from the social work program in which you are currently enrolled must be included with your application. The guidelines for the faculty/staff reference letter are outlined below.  Make sure you select a faculty/staff person who knows you well enough to address the points required in the reference letter.
5. Please note, incomplete or late application packages will not be accepted. Applications must received electronically by December 20, 2019
   

 
Review Process:

1. The NASW Hawai’i Chapter Board of Directors or their designees will make the final selection of scholarship recipients.

 
Scholarship Restrictions:

1. The scholarship award may be subject to income tax.  Please check with a tax advisor on this matter.  NASW Hawai’i Chapter does not assume any liability to scholarship recipients for these awards.
2. Applicants will be asked to appear at the NASW Hawai’i Chapter Annual Dinner  (Friday, March 6, 2020)  They may also be asked by NASW to make statements, have photos taken or participate in other NASW sponsored events upon or after the receiving their scholarships to share their experiences with the award and/or as social workers.
   

 
 
DATES:
Completed applications to NASW:                           December 20, 2019      
Scholarship recipients notified                                 January 1, 2020
Applicants attend gala                                                March 1, 2020

NASW-HI Student Scholarships
2020 Social Work Faculty/Staff Reference Guidelines
 
Thank you for serving as a reference for the NASW Student Community Service Scholarships program.  We would appreciate if you would write a letter on your campus letterhead in support of this worthy student. Your letter should address the following points:

1. How long and in what capacity have you known this student?

2. What is your knowledge about the student’s academic ability and performance, including in practicum? How would you compare this student with other social work students at an equivalent level of training with whom you have had direct knowledge or experience?

3. What would you say are two or three significant, unique or outstanding traits or characteristics about this student, particularly as you view the student as an emerging social work professional?

4. The NASW-HI Student Scholarships were established to acknowledge the need to recruit more compassionate and dedicated individuals into professional social work. It also focuses on the strengths and potential inherent in every person, family, group or community, and the ways social workers view those with whom they work and serve.  How does this student exemplify these objectives?

 5. Do you believe this student will complete the social work degree for which they are currently enrolled? What do you know or what can you imagine this student will contribute to the future of professional social work when they leave your social work program?

6. Is there any other relevant information you would like to share about this student’s background, skills or knowledge that make them an outstanding applicant for this scholarship?

NASW-HI Student Scholarship
2020 Personal Statement Guidelines
 
 
Thank you for your interest in the NASW-HI Student Scholarships.  Please review the scholarship description and objectives in preparing your personal statement.  Remember that this award highlights your views, values and experiences as an evolving social work professional.  Tell the review committee about yourself, and how your contributions to public and community service have influenced you in becoming a future social worker.
 
Your letter should address the following points:

1. In 250-500 words, describe any relevant information about your background that influenced your decision to study social work and to become a professional social worker.
 
2. The NASW-HI Student Scholarship were established to acknowledge the need to recruit more compassionate and dedicated individuals into professional social work.   It focuses on the strengths and potential inherent in every person, family, group or community, and the ways social workers view those with whom they work and serve.  How do your views, values and experiences exemplify these objectives?

 3. What are your plans after graduating with your current social work degree?
 
4. Is there anything else that you want your social work program’s review committee and NASW Hawai’i Chapter Board to know about your “fit” for this scholarship?
 

Apply Now

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2016 NASW HI Award & Scholarship Recipients

Lifetime Achievement
Dr. Jon K. Matsuoka, President and CEO of
Consuelo Foundation
Since starting with the Foundation in August 2010, he earned the respect and trust of his colleagues. Credit to his creative vision and strategies, the Foundation‘s Board of Directors
approved an innovative 5-year strategic plan (2015 – 2020) to fulfill its mission of preventing and treating the abuse, neglect and exploitation of children in Hawai‘i and the Philippines. Prior to that he was at the Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa for a total of 25 years, serving as a professor for 15 years and Dean during the last 10 years of his tenure. His scholarly research focused on social impacts, the effects of socio-ecological change on human behavior, and global issues in social work.

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Lifetime Achievement
Jerry Rauckhorst, President and CEO of
Catholic Charities
Jerry began his career with Catholic Charities, working
part-time for Catholic Charities Cleveland’s (CCC’s) Catholic Youth Organization, After earning his bachelor’s degree in 1973, he became director of CCC’s youth enrichment and development programs. Jerry received a Master of Social Science Administration degree in 1976 from the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University, which he attended on a Catholic Charities scholarship. Jerry was recruited for the top leadership position of
Catholic Charities Hawai’i (CCH) and appointed its Chief Executive
Officer in October of 1995. Since then, he has led the statewide agency in its mission to help people of all faiths and cultures through social
services and advocacy for social justice, focusing especially on those with the greatest need.

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Friend of Social Work
Sheila Beckham, CEO of Waikiki Health
Many remarkable and life-changes things have
happened at Waikiki Health (WH) thanks to the visionary leadership of CEO, Sheila Beckham. She joined the agency in January of 2008, and has been moving the community health center in a positive trajectory ever since, providing life-saving health care and social services to thousands of patients along the way. Over the past 8 years, propelled by the strong leadership of Beckham, the agency has successfully developed new networks of service sites which have added essential programs beyond primary care service.

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Legislator of the Year
Senator Rosalyn Baker
Roz Baker has represented the people of Maui County in the Hawai’i State Legislature for almost 20 years, serving in a variety of leadership positions. She currently represents residents of South and West Maui and is Chair of the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee.  Roz has been a long-time advocate for issues that affect the quality of life for the average person including: access to health care, quality public education, equity in the workplace, and equal rights for all.  She also has special interest in community issues such as: Prevention of domestic violence and sex assault, care for elders, sustainable economic development focusing on green industries, Science Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) careers including renewable energy, preservation of Hawai’i’s natural resources and host culture, fighting for distressed homeowners, advancing health policies, and protecting the
consumer.

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Advocacy & Social Justice Award
University of Hawai‘i
Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work -
The MBT School of Social Work has graduated over 5,500 social workers. This year marks their 80th anniversary. In 2011, the MBT SSW made a commitment to prioritize itself as a “Hawaiian Place of learning”. This strategic move meant that the school would promote and support the lived values of our homeland and its indigenous people to create culturally responsible social workers in
the community. “Our first priority is social justice,” says Dean Mokuau, “And we believe that by advocating for, and lifting up, Native
Hawaiians, we lift up the people of Hawai‘i .”

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2016 Scholarship Recipients:

$500 BSW Scholarship
Brandy Karl, BYUH

$1,500 MSW Scholarships
Michael Paeste, HPU
Kuuleialohaonalani Salzer, UH