Vira I Heinz Scholarship Program for Women in Global Leadership

The Vira I Heinz Scholarship Program for Women in Global Leadership provides $5000 grants for three (3) Duquesne University women in their sophomore year to participate in a summer study abroad experience and engage in a community internship. In addition, awardess will gain global leadership skills through two organized retreat weekends.

Background on the Program
Eligibilty Requirements
Application Procedures
Contact Information

Background

Mrs. Vira I. Heinz, Pittsburgh philanthropist, was married to the company founder H.J. Heinz’s second-oldest son Clifford. After his death from pneumonia in 1935, she traveled regularly to far corners of the world and returned to Pittsburgh where she regaled friends with travel stories and discoveries. One of those was Helen Pool Rush, the University of Pittsburgh’s Dean of Women. It was she who encouraged Vira Heinz to help outstanding undergraduate women share in the life-changing experience of international travel. In the 1950s, Mrs. Vira I. Heinz began writing out a $1,000 check each fall to a junior woman to pay for a summer in Europe. Her purpose was to enhance young women’s self-confidence and motivate them to succeed in life. The fortunate recipients came initially from the ranks of tour guides at the university’s Nationality Rooms.

Over time, news of the distinctive travel opportunity spread to other college campuses, where Vira Heinz began making awards. By 1980, awards were made at ten campuses plus the University of Pittsburgh’s main campus where annual competitions were held for junior female students. The award had increased to $4,000. Following travel, awardees submitted a brief written report about their project.  The program also included an opportunity for new awardees and those just returned from travel to meet at an annual spring meeting in Pittsburgh.

Since 2001, The Center for International Studies at the University of Pittsburgh has been providing coordination and program oversight among the participating campuses.  The Center’s goal is to ensure quality travel and study opportunities and keep track of individual winners’ progress as well as their leadership development.  The travel study scholarship is now $5000 per student and each campus is eligible to receive 3 awards.   There are now 15 institutions participating with the recent addition of the four regional campuses of the University of Pittsburgh.

The program’s core components are the following:.

  • Each of 15 campuses holds an annual competition
  • Students apply for scholarship in early winter
  • Established scholarship committees at each campus interviews nominees
  • Scholarship committee selects three awardees from the pool of applicants
  • Selection criteria are personal accomplishments, leadership potential, goals statement and study proposal
  • In spring, University of Pittsburgh verifies awardees
  • Vira I. Heinz Endowment sends individual grants of $5,000 to each campus by mid-spring
  • Awardees complete summer travel/study projects and send brief reports in fall to University of Pittsburgh
  • University reviews reports with the Endowments program staff
  • In spring, University of Pittsburgh hosts reception for both new and prior-year awardees. 

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Eligibility Requirements:

(You must meet these specific requirements in order to be eligible for this scholarship)

  • Be an undergraduate woman.
  • Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
  • Be a full-time student at the Duquesne University.
  • Not already hold a baccalaureate degree.
  • Have a QPA of not less than 3.0.
  • Have been registered as a full-time student for two (2) terms and be returning to the Duquesne University as a full-time student immediately after this study abroad experience
  • Participate in a summer study abroad program for at least 4 weeks (28 days or more) in the international host country and are participating in a program for academic credit.
  • Meet with the Study Abroad Adviser to discuss your plans and have your courses approved by your Academic Advisor.
  • Construct a study proposal that reflects one or more of the five major programming areas of the Heinz Endowments (Arts and Culture; Children, Youth, and Families; Economic Opportunity; Education; and the Environment).
  • Express interest in employment or graduate study in Southwestern Pennsylvania after graduation.
  • Be available to attend the mandatory weekend retreats during the Spring term, a debriefing event in the Fall following the study abroad experience, and complete an internship during the Spring or Summer terms after completion of the study abroad program.
  • Submit a detailed follow-up report, expense report, and photo journal of the experience
  • Women who have not had an overseas experience or who may not otherwise have such experiences due to financial, academic, or personal reasons are strongly encouraged to apply.

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Application Procedures

1) Meet with the Study Abroad Adviser/Vira I Heinz Coordinator well in advance of the scholarship deadline. The Study Abroad Adviser can assist you in choosing an appropriate program and will advise you on your next steps.

2) Meet with your Academic Advisor to obtain course approvals for your study abroad program.

3) Apply. Download an application. Submit completed application and all supporting documents by the deadline.

Deadline Friday, November 7, 2008 at 4:00pm

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Contact Information:

Kelly Dougherty, Study Abroad Adviser/ VIH Scholarship Coordinator
Office of International Programs
601 Duquesne Union
412-396-4873
studyabroad@duq.edu

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