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Palmer Scholars Expands Partnership with Pacific Lutheran University



Over our 38-year history, Palmer Scholars has served over 600 promising young adults throughout Pierce County. The majority of our Scholars choose to study in-state, and to study at public institutions. For many years, Pacific Lutheran University has been the top private university chosen by our Scholars. We are excited to announce that starting with the 2021-22 academic year, Palmer Scholars and PLU will partner to provide additional financial assistance as well as intentional on-campus support and leadership development to help our Scholars reach the finish line.

Palmer Scholars recognizes that being admitted to a postsecondary program is often just the first obstacle a young adult of color faces in their pursuit of higher education. To work to close the postsecondary success gap for low-income young adults of color, the Palmer to PLU program will ensure both incoming and continuing Palmer Scholars at Pacific Lutheran University receive wraparound supports as they progress towards their undergraduate degree. Benefits for Palmer to PLU Scholars include:

  • Once admitted to PLU, Palmer Scholars will automatically receive a $3,000 matching PLU Scholarship. This match is also available for continuing Palmer to PLU Scholars (admitted prior to Fall 2020)

  • Palmer to PLU Scholars admitted for Fall 2021 are also automatically entered into a competitive, need-aware selection process for a full-tuition or full financial need scholarship. At least one student will be selected for a full-tuition scholarship annually.

  • Palmer to PLU Scholars will receive regular support, mentoring, and leadership development as a cohort at PLU.

  • Scholars selected for a full tuition or full financial need award are required to participate in a Leadership Symposium each year, alongside other PLU cohorts receiving similar scholarship support. The Leadership Symposium, which includes life and social skills development, is provided to ensure students’ successful experience navigating the landscape of a predominantly white institution (PWI).

    • Scholars who are not selected for a full-tuition or full need scholarship are welcome and encouraged to also participate in the Leadership Symposium experience.


While Palmer Scholars develops this partnership to serve its Scholars at PLU, Scholars are welcome to attend any postsecondary institution that best fits their skills and academic and career goals. Since 2016, PLU has accepted 19 Palmer Scholars, with nine currently enrolled in the Lute Nation. Since 1983, 96% of Palmer Scholars who have enrolled at Pacific Lutheran University have either graduated or are still in attendance!



 
 
 

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 SUPPORT OUR MISSION TODAY!

Palmer Scholars acknowledges that our work is carried out on, and our office space is located within, occupied Coast Salish land, specifically that of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians. We pay respect to Coast Salish Elders past and present and extend that respect to their descendants and to all Indigenous peoples. To acknowledge this land is to recognize its longer history and our place in that history; it is to recognize these lands and waters and their significance for the peoples who lived and continue to live in this region, whose practices and spiritualties were and are tied to the land and the water, and whose lives continue to enrich and develop in relationship to the land, waters, and other inhabitants today.

 

We also pause to recognize and acknowledge the labor upon which our country, state, and institutions are built.

We remember that our country is built on the labor of enslaved people who were kidnapped and brought to the U.S. from the African continent and recognize the continued contribution of their survivors. We also acknowledge all immigrant labor, including voluntary, involuntary, trafficked, forced, and undocumented peoples who contributed to the building of the country and continue to serve within our labor force. We acknowledge all unpaid care-giving labor.

 

To the people who contributed this immeasurable work and their descendants, we acknowledge our/their indelible mark on the spaces in which we operate today. It is our collective responsibility to critically interrogate these histories, to repair harm, and to honor, protect, and sustain this land.

Physical Address - 

4500 Steilacoom Blvd SW BLDG 16

Lakewood WA 98499-4004

Phone -

Tricia Speid (CEO) (253) 617-5676

Mailing Address - 

PO Box 7119, Tacoma, WA 98417

Email - info@palmerscholars.org

To contact someone directly visit our staff page here: Our Team

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