In the Master of Arts in Education Technology (MAET) program, we believe that our learning community is strengthened by diverse perspectives, experiences, and cross-cultural sharing. Supporting Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) graduate students and learners with disabilities is a priority for MAET because of the systemic barriers and inequalities that have historically hindered their access to higher education. Providing these students with resources, mentorship, and opportunities not only benefits the individual students, but also contributes to the goal of creating a more equitable and diverse education system. Furthermore, supporting graduate students from marginalized backgrounds helps to increase the representation of diverse perspectives in the classroom and in educational leadership, which can improve the quality of education for all students.
We are committed to providing BIPOC learners and learners with disabilities with additional financial support to help to mitigate the barriers they face and ensure their success in graduate school.
In keeping with this commitment, MAET continually advocates for increased financial support for BIPOC learners and learners with disabilities. In 2022, MAET applied for and was awarded MSU’s Creating Inclusive Excellence Grant (CIEG), and we are using these funds to provide 8 scholarships for MAET or MAET Graduate Certificate (GC) students who are BIPOC and/or have a disability (as defined by MSU’s Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities, or RCPD) as a “physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, such as sitting, sleeping, or concentrating”) to complete one, 3-credit course toward their program plan/degree. This scholarship will be available to current MAET students, current GC students, and new applicants who will be students before June 30, 2023. Students must be in good academic standing and actively taking courses toward their program.