Diversity Enhancement Pathway Graduate Assistantship

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A recent graduate hugging her daughter at graduation A recent graduate hugging her daughter at graduation
Student excited after receiving their diploma at commencement Student excited after receiving their diploma at commencement
Master student excited after graduating and pointing at friends in the audience Master student excited after graduating and pointing at friends in the audience
Group of Master's students at commencement Group of Master's students at commencement

Through this pathway, Miami seeks the educational benefits of a diverse student body. Although we do not define diversity solely in terms of racial and ethnic status, we affirm our longstanding commitment to achieving a student body that is rich in racial and ethnic diversity. By achieving a critical mass of racial and ethnic diversity we enhance the content and context of a Miami education, both inside and outside the classroom. A diverse student body benefits all students.

The Miami University Diversity Enhancement Pathway (DEP) is intended to attract diverse domestic students to Miami's graduate programs, with the goal to increase the number of diverse domestic students completing master’s and doctoral study at Miami University.

The DEP provides a Graduate School funded stipend and tuition waiver for one academic semester per year for either two years for master's students or four years for doctoral students. This will result in either two semesters or four semesters of Graduate School funded support for master's or doctoral students, respectively. Departments will provide the remaining stipend and tuition waiver for the duration of the student's graduate program and will assign assistantship duties for the awardee.

Faculty can nominate students applying to a Miami University graduate program who are citizens or permanent residents of the United States, and who self-identify from a group traditionally underrepresented in graduate studies. Students who participated in a McNair Scholars programs are also eligible. Faculty can also nominate discipline specific diverse applicants and they will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Doctoral students are eligible for the Dissertation Scholarship award in their final year of study.

Nominations are due annually on February 15th or March 15th. Nominations must include the DEP Assistantship Nomination Form (contact the Graduate School for DEP Form), and a letter of support from the Graduate Director or Department Chair that addresses the applicant’s qualifications and academic promise. Nominations will be accepted after March 15th if awards are available. The total number of awards per academic program may be limited. Nominations should be submitted to Rose Marie Ward at wardrm1@miamioh.edu.
The review process will start the week following February 15th and March 15th, with decisions being announced within two weeks. Selection will be based on the strength of the nomination, considering the applicant's graduate application, and the letter of support and recommendation.

About the Diversity Enhancement Pathway (DEP)

The Miami University Diversity Enhancement Pathway (DEP) is intended to attract diverse domestic students to Miami's graduate programs, with the goal to increase the number of diverse domestic students completing master’s and doctoral study at Miami University.

The DEP provides a Graduate School funded stipend and tuition waiver for one academic semester per year for either two years for master's students or four years for doctoral students. This will result in either two semesters or four semesters of Graduate School funded support for master's or doctoral students, respectively. Departments will provide the remaining stipend and tuition waiver for the duration of the student's graduate program and will assign assistantship duties for the awardee.

Faculty can nominate students applying to a Miami University graduate program who are citizens or permanent residents of the United States, and who self-identify from a group traditionally underrepresented in graduate studies. Students who participated in a McNair Scholars programs are also eligible. Faculty can also nominate discipline specific diverse applicants and they will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Doctoral students are eligible for the Dissertation Scholarship award in their final year of study.

Nomination Process

Nominations are due annually on February 15th or March 15th. Nominations must include the DEP Assistantship Nomination Form (contact the Graduate School for DEP Form), and a letter of support from the Graduate Director or Department Chair that addresses the applicant’s qualifications and academic promise. Nominations will be accepted after March 15th if awards are available. The total number of awards per academic program may be limited. Nominations should be submitted to Rose Marie Ward at wardrm1@miamioh.edu.

Decision Process

The review process will start the week following February 15th and March 15th, with decisions being announced within two weeks. Selection will be based on the strength of the nomination, considering the applicant's graduate application, and the letter of support and recommendation.