Dorothy Jean and Walter Richter Endowed Scholarship (SR6261)

The Dorothy Jean and Walter Richter Scholarship honors their steadfast dedication to promoting the common good in our society through distinguished life-long public service. This scholarship is available to students in good standing accepted in the bachelor and/or master’s degree program in the School of Social Work.

BSW applicant must show an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 and MSW applicant must show an undergraduate and/or graduate GPA of at least 3.0 as verified by official transcript provided by the SSW office
Applicant must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 during the duration of the scholarship as verified by the SSW office

Award
Varies
Scopes
College of Applied Arts, Social Work
Deadline
02/01/2025
Supplemental Questions
  1. Please submit a resume with volunteer and/or work experience in public policy work
  2. Please submit a 2-page double-spaced essay demonstrating:

    1. Commitment to policy practice in public sector
    2. Current interests and past activities in policy practice in public sector
    3. Clearly articulate two professional goals that include public policy
  3. Submit an original policy analysis paper using the following instructions (3-5pages):

    Start with a “prospectus” (background) on the policy. It is to include:

    1. Describe the history of the issue in the local community and in the state or nation, and any rationale for implementing such a policy in the first place.
    2. Description of the problems that necessitated the policy, including the issue using data (local, state and national—obtained from relevant research) and whom the project affects. When? Where? How?
    3. Description of the current policy and the effect it has on the oppressed population.
    4. Analysis of the policy, including political goals and their political, economic, and administrative feasibility.
    Suggestion: Begin with a large issue and keep narrowing it down to a very specific policy change.
    You will need to find out as much as possible about the who, what, when, where, how, and why of the chosen policy, including the players, the rules, and the formal and informal power structures. What are the politics and societal values surrounding the issue?

    The paper should include the reliability of the information and possible political problems related to the facts. For example: Was the information obtained from someone who could be affected by a policy change and may have a “motive” for not giving complete or accurate information?

    After the prospectus is complete, develop policy solutions:

    1. Review the information through a social work ethical lens to be clear on how the problem can and should be addressed.
    2. Ask every possible question about the problem you have identified. Ask “what if” questions. If the policy were changed one way, what would happen to the clients and to the organization? Remember, for every policy change there will be some negative fallout. What are the policy implications of your proposed changes? Look at policy from a broad perspective by considering agency policy, local policy, state policy, and national policy. You may have to do more fact-finding.
    3. List the questions you have considered in analyzing the policy issue, and then give your conclusions.

    Remember that your aim is to develop a policy to implement that will be the best possible solution to remedy the social injustice affecting the target population, and to make the policy more just for the target population. Be specific about what you want to accomplish.