The Joseph S. Murphy Institute at the CUNY School of Professional Studies has launched a national scholarship competition dedicated to fostering a diverse leadership in the labor movement and in the academic field of labor studies.

The Institute will award significant scholarships to deserving students: up to $30,000 for graduate students and up to $20,000 for undergraduates. The deadline for applying is March 31. See press release here: pdf Murphy Institute Press Release

According to Murphy Institute Director (and long-time UALE member) Gregory Mantsios, “Our goal is to help prepare the next generation of union leaders, advocates, and labor scholars, and to do everything we can to ensure that the new leadership adequately reflects the diversity of the U.S. labor force.”

 Over the past 50 years, the demographics of the U.S. labor force have changed significantly, with dramatic increases in the number of women and people of color. The racial and gender composition of national union leadership, however, does not adequately reflect these changing demographics. The field of labor studies reflects a similar imbalance in representation. In supporting students committed to diversity and excellence, the scholarship program seeks to make a significant contribution toward redressing existing imbalances in these fields.

"We plan to award six scholarships each year over the course of the next five years," says Mantsios.

You can download a brochure for the program here: pdf Murphy Institute Scholarship brochure

Follow the links for more details about the scholarship and the application form.