What we do
Application Support
The Office of Student Fellowships supports SCU students and alumni as they apply for a variety of awards that fund domestic and international independent research and travel, teaching, and post-baccalaureate work or study. We also coordinate internal review processes for fellowships that require a campus nomination.
While we advise students pursuing a wide range of opportunities, we are most involved with those competitions that require a campus nomination. These include the Rhodes, Marshall, and Fulbright for seniors and recent alumni, and the Truman, Goldwater, and Udall for sophomores and juniors.
Fellowship Promotion
We strive to make the entire university community aware of nationally competitive undergraduate scholarship opportunities. Through fellowship workshops, class and group presentations, email announcements and direct student contact, our office aims to notify students of specific fellowship opportunities and create a more comprehensive understanding of the fellowship process in general.
Applicant Identification
Through collaboration with students, faculty, and staff, we work proactively to identify students whose qualifications and goals match specific fellowship opportunities and encourage them to apply for nationally competitive scholarships that support their professional goals and academic interests.
Student Support
The OSF seeks to develop student excellence. We believe that the fellowship application process provides students with a unique opportunity for personal growth. Fellowship applicants refine their future plans and goals, and hone their ability to write and speak persuasively about their experiences and aspirations. While national fellowships are competitive and the final outcome may be uncertain, every student who pursues a fellowship will benefit from the experience of applying.
UGST 101: Preparing Fellowships and Graduate School Applications
Every winter quarter, we offer a 2-unit course on preparing Fellowships and Graduate School Applications co-taught by Stephen Carroll and Naomi Levy. This course prepares students to identify their life-goals and achieve their potential by extending their intellectual development beyond their Santa Clara education. It focuses on constructing effective fellowship and scholarship applications and on gaining admission to graduate school and professional school (law, medical, business, etc.). Together, we walk through every step of the process, reflecting on and refining students' goals, researching appropriate fellowships and graduate schools, crafting strong curriculum vitae (résumés), writing compelling research proposals and personal statements, interviewing well, and assembling helpful letters of reference. The course, which is part of the Vocation Pathway, is open to all students, but we recommend taking it early in your undergraduate career.
Who we are
- Naomi Levy, PhD
Director (on sabbatical June 2022 - June 2023)
Associate Professor, Political Science
Vari Hall 221
408-554-4988
osf@scu.edu
- Stephen Carroll, PhD
Senior Fellowships Advisor
Senior Lecturer, English
St. Joseph’s Hall
408-551-7087
scarroll@scu.edu
- Steven Suljak, PhD
Fellowships Advisor
Associate Professor, Chemistry and Biochemistry
SCDI 2117D
408-554-4949
ssuljak@scu.edu
- Matthew Harrigan, PhD
Interim Director
Lecturer, Political Science
Vari Hall 238
408-551-3613
osf@scu.edu
- Loring Pfeiffer, PhD
Fellowships Advisor
Lecturer, English
St. Joseph's Hall 308
408-554-4001
lapfeiffer@scu.edu