Graduate Diversity Assistantship Pathways Program (GDAPP)
Description
The Graduate Diversity Assistantship Pathways Program (GDAPP) intends to increase access and opportunities to graduate education for domestic students from underrepresented groups and increase diversity in our graduate programs. GDAPP assistantships are funded through a partnership between the WSU Graduate School and the student’s program. In addition to funding, recipients become part of the GDAPP Scholar community. GDAPP retention and professional development programming and services are provided by the Graduate School. Priority is given to participants of the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program or similar graduate education preparation programs. Graduate programs may nominate up to three students for a GDAPP per year.
Eligibility
- Hold U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status
- Are eligible for a graduate assistantship through the Graduate School
- Are applying for their first doctoral degree, having already completed a bachelor’s and/or master’s degree from an accredited university. Those pursuing a master’s degree are also eligible if they are 1) Native American, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian, Native American Pacific Islander (as defined in Section 320 of the Higher Education Act) OR 2) A Master’s degree is the terminal degree in the chosen field of study.
- Are admitted or soon to be admitted into the nominating program
- Are a member of one or more of the following groups: African American, Hispanic/Latinx, Native American, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian, Native American Pacific Islander (as defined in Section 320 of the Higher Education Act), woman in the Physical Sciences, Engineering, and Mathematics, or have participated in the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program or similar graduate education preparation program
Funding
The Graduate School will provide $10,000 per year for the first two years ($20,000 total), in state-appropriated funds, to supplement the standard assistantship salary provided by the program.
For Departments/Programs, please view the GDAPP Fund Allocation document with important fund disbursement information, which may be found here.
We request that departments use the new GDAPP Secure Offer Letter Template, which may be found here.
Nomination Process
Nominations must be submitted through the GDAPP form here. A complete nomination includes:
- Completed nomination form
- Letter of Nomination addressing:
- How this assistantship will support your department’s efforts in diversifying your graduate program
- Why this assistantship is important for recruiting this student
- The student’s academic merit and their demonstrated commitment to promoting diversity and the advancement of underrepresented and under-resourced communities through their work, research, and/or scholarship
- The department’s plan for funding this student
- Working draft of the award letter to the student
- Only provide this letter to the student once the student has been selected for a GDAPP.
Dates
February 10, 2023: Priority Deadline
February 17, 2023: Programs will be notified of nomination status
Contacts
Raymond Herrera, Associate Vice Provost
509-335-7702
Mayra Jazmin Garcia Rodriguez, Area Finance Officer
509-335-5165
The GDAPP funding program replaces the RADS funding program.