Carol Rocklin Kay Memorial Scholarship
The Carol Rocklin Kay Memorial Fund was established in 1988 to provide support for student participation in The Way Up conferences. Carol Rocklin Kay, who served as Assistant to the Vice President for Student Affairs at Iowa State University, was a central figure in planning The Way Up II, III, IV and V conferences. She served as the Program Chair for women graduate students - the future faculty members and administrators of our colleges and universities. Scholarships cover conference registration and one night's stay in the conference hotel.
Eligibility Requirements
Undergraduate or graduate students in any higher education institution in Iowa who are interested in a career in higher education may apply or be nominated for this scholarship.
Process
Nominations or applications should include the name, address, phone number and email address of the candidate, a one-page statement addressing the student's interest in a career in higher education and what they hope to gain from participation in this conference. After selection, the scholarship recipient must submit the text of a three-minute presentation to be made at the Thursday lunch. The topic of the presentation will be, "Excelling on The Way Up: Engage, Embody, Elevate - A Student's Perspective."
Deadline: Email submissions to Dr. Vapordeal Sanders ([email protected]) by October 10, 2026.
Selection: Notifications will be sent on or about October 20, 2026.
Eunice A. Dell Memorial Scholarship
The Way Up Planning Council is asking for nominations for the Eunice A. Dell Memorial Scholarship Program. The Eunice A. Dell Memorial Fund was established in 2008 to provide support for young professional women to participate in The Way Up Conference. Eunice Dell, who served as Assistant Vice President for Administration and Finance and Assistant Vice President/Faculty and Staff Disabilities Coordinator at the University of Northern Iowa, was a key figure in planning many of The Way Up conferences, serving as the Program Chair for the XX and XXI conferences. The Scholarship covers the conference registration and one night's stay in the conference hotel.
Eligibility Requirements
Young professionals (=< age 30) in any higher education institution in Iowa who aspire to moving up in higher education leadership or administration may apply or be nominated for this scholarship.
Process
Nominations or applications should include the name, address, phone number, and email address of the candidate, a one-page statement addressing the young professionals’ interest in an administrative or leadership position in higher education and what they hope to gain from participation in this conference. After selection, the scholarship recipient must submit the text of a three-minute presentation to be made at the Thursday lunch. The topic of the presentation will be "Excelling on The Way Up: Engage, Embody, Elevate - A Young Professional's Perspective."
Deadline: Email submissions to Dr. Vapordeal Sanders ([email protected]) by October 10, 2026.
Selection: Notifications will be sent on or about October 20, 2026.
The Way Up Scholarship
The Way Up Scholarship Fund was established in 2016 to support a community college leader who would not otherwise be able to attend The Way Up annual conference. We encourage administrators, staff and faculty of Iowa Community Colleges to participate in The Way Up Conference to enhance and strengthen their leadership skills. The conference also offers networking opportunities to connect with peers and higher education leaders, exchange best practices and enhance skill development. The Scholarship will cover the conference registration fee, meals and one night's stay in the conference hotel.
Eligibility Requirements
Those employed by an Iowa Community College seeking professional development for formal and informal leadership and administrative positions in higher education may apply or be nominated for this scholarship award. The focus this year is on socioeconomic diversity to provide those employed by an Iowa Community College who has or is presently overcoming significant financial hardship to reach their current position the opportunity to participate in The Way Up Conference. Alternatively, the applicant could be someone who can show they have lent a hand through mentoring or community leadership to support other Community College employees struggling to overcome financial hardship.
Process
Nominations or applications should include the name, address, phone number and email address of the candidate, a one-page statement addressing the person's skills and abilities as a Community College leader and what they hope to gain from participation in this conference. After selection, the scholarship recipient must submit the text of a three-minute presentation to be made at the Thursday lunch. The topic of the presentation will be " Excelling on The Way Up: Engage, Embody, Elevate - A Community College Perspective."
Deadline: Email submissions to Dr. Vapordeal Sanders ([email protected]) by October 10, 2026.
Selection: Notifications will be sent on or about October 20, 2026.
Recognition Award
The Way Up Planning Council will announce the recipient of the annual Recognition Award. The intent of the Award is to recognize a person who has made significant contributions, which have been sustained over time, toward the development and advancement of leaders in higher education. The Award will cover conference registration and one night's stay in the conference hotel.
Eligibility Requirements
The nominee may be a professor, an administrator, a mentor, an employer or a friend.
Process
Nominations should include the following information: the Nominee’s name, title, institution, address, phone number and email address, and 200-500 words describing the individual’s contributions. After selection, the award recipient must submit the text of a three-minute presentation to be made at the Thursday lunch. The topic of the presentation will be " Excelling on The Way Up: Engage, Embody, Elevate - My Perspective."
Deadline: Email submissions to Dr. Vapordeal Sanders ([email protected]) by October 10, 2026.
Selection: Notifications will be sent on or about October 20, 2026.
Would you like to contribute to The Way Up Scholarship Fund?
Scholarship donations are accepted at the conference, or you may mail checks payable to The Way Up Conference to: Doreen Hayek, ATTN: The Way Up Scholarships, 211 Devlin Circle, Cedar Falls, IA 50613.
