All about Schmitt Scholars

Many of us are prone to skimming the masses of emails that flood our inbox everyday. Sometimes, hidden gems stay hidden because more often it is easier to delete the spam and move on with our day. An email that we see hit our inbox annually this time of year is the opening of the application to become a Schmitt Scholar. 

Schmitt Scholars are supported by a grant gifted by the Arthur J. Schmitt Foundation. This foundation supports leadership development programs intended to propel intelligent and passionate students into situations that challenge them to make a difference. In the email sent out by Arlene Finkle to students it explains why it is important to challenge students to truly make a difference. 

“The Foundation begins with the premise that students who become confident and values-driven leaders in colleges are more likely to become positive change agents and effective leaders as adults,” outlined in the email. 

This scholarship gives each student money towards their tuition or room and board with the intent of being renewed through their junior and senior years depending on their participation in the program. 

“An expectation of the scholarship is to be renewed for the junior and senior years provided that students actively participate in the Schmitt Scholars program,” Finkle explains in her email to students. “Spring semester of the first year of the program is a one credit class on Leadership, your junior year you will develop critical thinking, research skills, and presentation abilities, and senior year is a project of the cohort's own choosing that impacts social change.”

Students in the program have the opportunity to work in a cohort of six for up to three years. These projects are developed over time with the intent of bettering not only the campus community, but also the community that expands beyond the University of St. Francis. 

Recent graduate and former Schmitt Scholar, Michelle Valencia outlined the impact that the Schmitt Scholar program had on her academic career. 

“I enjoyed working on a service project for multiple years because it allowed me to do more research on a subject and expand the impact we can have,” Valencia said, “It can be a little difficult at times to narrow down the project, but it becomes manageable when working as a team.”

Senior and current Schmitt Scholar, Will Snydersmith, emphasized that it built upon skills he was already exercising in his degree.

“I felt like it was beneficial because I gained skills related to working in a group,” Snydersmith said. “I work in groups a lot because I’m in the DARA program so I know how to work in groups for song projects. This was a little different, we learned how to really put our heads together and think about this project and make it extend and expand over the four years.” 

Valencia added on to this idea and explained how it made her grow her network here on campus.

“My experience as a Schmitt Scholar was enjoyable. I learned a lot about myself and my leadership style throughout these past years. I was also able to contribute to my community and engage in acts of service throughout my time as a Schmitt Scholar,” Valencia said. “Even though I have graduated, I liked being involved in this program because it makes me feel more connected to USF.”

Students who are interested in applying still have time. The application deadline is March 27 at 4 p.m. To be qualified for consideration, students must be a full-time rising sophomore in good academic standing and have maintained a 2.5 cumulative grade point average. 

For more information or questions regarding becoming a Schmitt Scholar, students are encouraged to contact Arlene Finkle at AFinkle@stfrancis.edu.