The award (up to $500) is given to a U of L graduate student for travel or other professional development needs apart from tuition or books. Winner(s) are chosen according to how well their intended use of the award supports the mission of the Women’s Center and Dr. Nichols’ legacy.  This award is given with generous support from the U of L Commission on Diversity and Racial Equality and from the SGA Torchbearer Fund.

Application information (Word Document)

Past Recipients of the M. Celeste Nichols Professional Development Award

2003:Tayana Hardin for her trip to Belize, in support of her graduate work in Pan African Studies on women’s experiences throughout the African Diaspora.

Adrienne Bratcher, for her participation in the conference on Experimental Biology 2004, in support of her graduate work in Physiology and Biophysics on hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases.

2004: Mesia Moore Steed, attendance at conference and travel fees.

           Stacia L. Koch, attendance at conference and travel fees. 

           Rebekkah J. Mexiner, attendance at conference and travel fees.

2005: Asma Alwadidi for her Middle Eastern Women Art Show Presentation, in support of her graduate work in Fine Arts.

Sonya Borton for her participation and paper presentation in the 2005 Feminism and Rhetoric Conference in support of her doctoral graduate work in English.

Cynthia Conley for her participation and paper presentation in the 2006 Annual Program Meeting of the Council on Social Work Education , in support of her doctoral graduate work in Social Work.

Robert Plienis for his visitation and attendance to the NASPA Multicultural Institute, in support of his graduate work in Social Work and Women’s and Gender Studies.

Candice Michelle Thomas,  for her participation presentation in the 2005 Conference on Experimental Biology, in support of her doctoral graduate work in Physiology.

2006: Ms. Danielle Franco, "your first oral presentation of your research in analytical chemistry at the Pittcon-Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy"

Ms. Melissa D. Pinto-Foltz, "providing funding for presentation of your research on female adolescent mental health and barriers to care"

Ms. Patti L. Heying, "attendance at the Southeastern Theater Conference to assist professor Rinda Frye with two voice workshops"

2007:  What a fabulous application year.  We had over 40 applicants.  Although, we wish we could have given everyone something here is the list of the six winners:

Ms. Nikki Votaw- "providing funding for presentation of research on effects of informal learning on Urban Middle School Students."

Ms. Cynthia Britt-"providing funding for travel expenses to present your research on Rachel Carson: Reluctant Reformist and Role Model".

Ms. Alana Frost-"providing funding for presentation of research on "Multiple Realities: Sponsorship in a first Nations Community".

Ms.Tabetha Adkins- "providing funding for your paper "New Issue Same Ethos: Pro Slavery Rhetoric of the 19th Century and Homophobic Rhetoric of the 21 ST Century".

Ms. Amanda Jeanne Wyrick- "providing funding for presentation of research on teacher's "anti-fat biases"". 

Ms. Sheena Anderson- "providing funding for your attendance at the National Alliance of Black School Educators Conference to further your goal of "becoming an educator who will motivate students to learn."