Important Dates
- Nominations open: January 30, 2026.
- Nomination deadline: March 6, 2026. (CLOSED FOR 2026)
- Decision date: Nominations will be reviewed by the GDAPP committee and programs will be notified of decisions by March 13, 2026.
Description
The Graduate Dean’s Achievement Pathways Program (GDAPP) is a strategic recruitment tool designed to enhance offers of admission and support for outstanding Ph.D. and eligible master’s applicants. GDAPP provides a supplemental scholarship that complements departmental funding packages, making WSU’s offer more competitive when recruiting exceptional students.
The program provides financial awards, professional development opportunities, and a supportive academic community to help students thrive in graduate school. GDAPP seeks to identify and support scholars who demonstrate both academic excellence and perseverance in overcoming significant barriers to educational access. The program is committed to merit-based selection that recognizes achievement in context while maintaining the highest standards of scholarly potential.
Eligibility: Students must have been recommended for admission by their graduate program with an offer of assistantship support. GDAPP funding supplements existing departmental offers.
Although the program primarily focuses on Ph.D. students, master’s applicants are eligible if their intended degree is the terminal degree in their academic field (e.g., Master of Fine Arts) or if WSU does not offer a doctoral program in their field (e.g., Master of Arts in Music). Graduate programs may nominate up to two student applicants per year for GDAPP.
Commitment to Equal Opportunity: All applicants are evaluated using uniform, program-related criteria applied without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, religion, disability, age, or any other protected characteristic. Selection decisions are based solely on academic merit, research potential, documented achievement despite barriers, and alignment with program goals.
Eligibility
Student applicants who meet one or more of the following criteria are eligible for GDAPP:
- First-generation college students
- From low-income backgrounds or have faced significant financial barriers to education
- From educationally under-resourced or geographically isolated backgrounds
- Have overcome significant educational disruptions or life challenges
- Have documented experience expanding educational access in underserved communities
- Have demonstrated commitment to increasing access to their field through research, outreach, or service
All selection decisions are made using these program-related criteria applied uniformly to all applicants, without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, religion, disability, or other protected characteristics.
Funding
| Degree Program Annual Scholarship | Yearly Funding Amount | Funding Duration | Total Funding Amount |
| Doctoral Applicant | $5,000.00 | 4 years | $20,000.00 |
| Master’s Applicant | $5,000.00 | 2 years | $10,000.00 |
Continued funding after Year 1 is contingent on the student maintaining good academic standing and full-time enrollment for all semesters during the award period.
Nomination Process
Nominations must be submitted through the GDAPP Nomination Form. Graduate programs may nominate up to two student applicants per year for GDAPP and must indicate their first and second choice if submitting two nominations.
To ensure a fair and transparent nomination process, nominees for the GDAPP scholarship must be selected and vetted by the graduate program’s recruiting committee or graduate studies committee, as appropriate. This process ensures that nominations reflect a collective decision by the program.
Before submitting a nomination, please ensure that the nominee’s admission status is updated in MyWSU, including a recommended admission with assistantship funding. Nominees who have not been recommend for admission cannot be considered for the award.
Complete the GDAPP Nomination Form and address the following points:
- Academic Excellence: Highlight the nominee’s Academic Excellence by providing examples of their achievements, recognitions, and intellectual abilities. Include context where applicable, such as overcoming barriers or excelling in challenging circumstances.
- Commitment to Access and Opportunity in Graduate Education: Describe the nominee’s documented work, research, or leadership that has expanded educational access or addressed barriers to higher education participation. Evaluation will focus on the quality, rigor, and measurable impact of this work, not on the nominee’s demographic characteristics. Provide specific metrics, outcomes, or evidence of impact of:
- Research examining barriers to educational access
- Development of programs that measurably increased participation from economically disadvantaged, first-generation, or geographically isolated students
- Mentoring or outreach with documented retention or achievement outcomes
- Educational resource development that expanded access
- Research Potential and Scholarly Merit: Emphasize the nominee’s Research Potential and Scholarly Merit by detailing their ability or potential to contribute to their field through innovative thinking, notable projects, or research experiences. Highlight their curiosity, problem-solving skills, or creativity.
- Potential for Leadership and Impact: Outline the nominee’s Potential for Leadership and Impact by sharing examples of their leadership, mentorship, or initiatives. Focus on how they have inspired others, supported their community, or made a positive difference within their discipline or beyond.
Contacts
Raymond Herrera, Associate Dean and Associate Vice Provost for Graduate Enrollment Management
509-335-7702
Mayra Jazmin Garcia Rodriguez, Area Finance Officer
509-335-5165