Research Award Application

The James A. Benson Memorial Undergraduate Research Scholarship Award 

The University Libraries is pleased to announce that Olivia Gittens is the inaugural winner of The James A. Benson Memorial Undergraduate Research Scholarship Award. The library established the Benson Memorial Award in 2023. A life-long learner and prolific reader, Dr. Benson was a nationally-known visionary in the field of academic librarianship, intentionally pushing the boundaries of what the twenty-first century library should be. The Benson Award is a $300 Research Award to recognize undergraduate students pursuing research projects that focus on issues relating to or strategies for promoting equity and inclusion for historically marginalized populations.  

The scholarship committee chose Gitten's project entitled "African American College Age Girls Sexual Health Education" as an outstanding application of Equity and Inclusion principles to research methods in Health Education, to cultural competency in health care, and to addressing disparities in sexual health outcomes for women of color.

Congratulations Olivia, and best of luck on your ongoing research!
 

Upcoming Award Cycle 

Eligibility: The James A. Benson Memorial Undergraduate Research Scholarship is awarded annually, and is open to any undergraduate student enrolled at St. John’s University during the Fall and/or Spring semester of an academic year.  The research project (e.g.: paper, blog, video, social media campaign, infographic, etc) might cite and synthesize research, and/or might apply E&I principles, practices and strategies.
 

Note: The application requires valid SignOn credentials.