AZUSA SCHOLARS

 
 

Overview

In 1998, honorable Mayor Joe Rocha approached Azusa Pacific University administrators and suggested the university establish a scholarship program aimed at attracting the best graduating seniors from Azusa Unified School District. The partnership between APU and Rocha resulted in the university launching the Celebrate Azusa/Nancy Moore Scholarship, also known as Azusa Scholars.  Shortly thereafter, the Scholarship was expanded to include the Celebrate Azusa/Cynthia C. McGuire Scholarship, awarded to transfer students from Citrus College. This program admits 4 students who have graduated from AUSD each year. Students admitted into the program receive $10,000 for their first two years, and increased amounts thereafter. All recipients have to be recognized for their community-minded involvement and impressive academic records.

Program

The Azusa Scholars Program has three main components: programming, mentoring, and personal application.

  • Programming components encompass things like orientation events, dinner forums, required readings, and community building activities.

  • Mentoring matches are created to partner a Scholar with an assigned faculty or staff member. These pairings meet every other week each school year, ideally for the duration of a student's four years at APU. Scholars also meet with OSD program staff at assigned intervals.

  • Personal application is centered around a “Holistic Development Track” (HDT) which creates practical and tangible leadership opportunities to demonstrate targeted growth in the areas of diversity, leadership, spiritual formation, and community development.

    • As a part of their personal application, Freshmen and Sophomores are required to work approximately 5 hours weekly in OSD with the Local Engagement Team.

    • Juniors and Seniors are required to maintain a leadership position on campus (either continuing in OSD or another on-campus department or club) or in their local church or another outside organization. This must be approved by OSD Staff, according to the Leadership Checklist.

Qualifications & Expectations

  • Be attending a high school in the Azusa Unified School District (Azusa or Sierra High School) or to be a graduate of AUSD and currently attending Citrus College.

  • Be admitted to APU

  • Reside in Azusa

  • Demonstrate a commitment to the Four Cornerstones of Azusa Pacific University: Christ, Scholarship, Community, and Service

  • Have a minimum GPA of 3.0 (AUSD high school students) or 2.2 (Citrus College student)

  • Possess a passion for community service within the Azusa Community

  • Demonstrate proven leadership skills (eg. volunteer work in the City of Azusa, ASB, co-curricular activities in high school, athletics, etc.)

For more information regarding Azusa Scholars, please contact azusascholars@apu.edu