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The Office of Scholar Development at WKU was awarded a $20,208 Impact Grant from the WKU Sisterhood to help create the Catalyst Cohort in the Mahurin Honors College. 

The Catalyst Cohort in the Mahurin Honors College, powered by the Office of Scholar Development, will support Pell Grant-eligible, first-generation, and/or underrepresented minority scholars toward high-impact academic experiences through study abroad and research in the Mahurin Honors College. Participants will earn credit toward the Mahurin Honors College curriculum through mentored processes to identify interests, chart pathways to relevant research, and evaluate study abroad options. 

The WKU Sisterhood is an organization of women advancing university priorities through philanthrophic engagement that funds Impact Grants of $20,000 or more and Small But Mighty Grants for $10,000 or less. In 2023, they awarded 3 of each grant, totaling almost $107,000 invested in the WKU campus community. In addition to their investment in the Catalyst Cohort in the Mahurin Honors College, two WKU Sisterhood Impact Grants were awarded to the WKU Digital Concert Hall and for Elevating the WKU Community and Beyond with Personal Finance Education. 

"The Catalyst Cohort is inspired by real scholars we've worked with in the Office of Scholar Development," said Lindsey Houchin, Assistant Director of the Office of Scholar Development. "Because of the WKU Sisterhood's investment, more scholars in this target population will have access to transformative experiences that elevate their academic and professional opportunities."

Mahurin Honors College scholars were critical to the successful WKU Sisterhood grant proposal, as their real experiences as members of the target population inform the program's development. First year scholar Anastacia Álvarez supported the WKU Sisterhood grant proposal from research to execution, and graduating senior Sebastian Tingle designed the logo and grant finalist presentation. Additional scholars and graduates continue to participate in planning.

Beginning in Fall 2024, participating scholars will enroll in a one credit hour course, with each class meeting providing scaffolded, personalized support and accountability for planning study abroad and research. Every participant will identify pathways to study abroad and research that fit their academic and professional interests, then prepare applications for scholarships that will increase the accessibility of these "academic extras," such as Office of Scholar Development-supported scholarships.

Catalyst Cohort scholars will also benefit from additional support for pursuing their interests in the Mahurin Honors College, as well as other institutional resources for their endeavors, like WKU Global's WorldTopper and Passport Scholarships and the Office of Research and Creative Activity's Faculty Undergraduate Student Engagement (FUSE) Grant.

"In addition to mentorship for study abroad and research, the real magic of the Catalyst Cohort is the community of belonging and support," said Lindsey Houchin, Assistant Director of the Office of Scholar Development. "Catalyst Cohort Scholars can be curious about new, unfamiliar possibilities in a safe, supportive, and confidence-boosting environment." (Read more about the benefits of participation.) 

For more information about the Catalyst Cohort in the Mahurin Honors College, contact Lindsey Houchin at lindsey.houchin@wku.edu. For more information about the WKU Sisterhood, contact Aarika Gunn at aarika.gunn@wku.edu. 

About the Office of Scholar Development: The Office of Scholar Development is committed to helping WKU students in all majors and degree programs develop the vision, experience and skills to be independent, engaged scholars. OSD welcomes the opportunity to work with students interested in nationally competitive scholarships. 

About the WKU Sisterhood: The Sisterhood is an organization of women advancing University priorities through philanthropic engagement and a collective voice. Members pool their financial gifts and award funds to a limited number of University designations to maximize the impact of their philanthropy. Any alumna, friend, faculty or staff member of WKU is invited to join this group of women. Established in 2009, the WKU Sisterhood awarded its first grants in 2010. Since then, 45 grants totaling more than $768,130 have been awarded to the University community. The amount of money available for distribution is dependent upon the number of members and can vary each year. Although funds stay within the WKU community, benefits extend beyond the University campus.