University of Vermont
Citizen Scholar Book Award Criteria
Putting knowledge into action for the betterment of humanity is at the foundation of a University of Vermont education. The Citizen Scholar Book Award celebrates high school students around the US who demonstrate that spirit of citizenship and scholarship. They may have campaigned for a cause, founded a community action group, or conducted research aiding social progress. These students are the movers, shakers, and change makers of the world.
At UVM, students are encouraged to consider how they will have a positive impact on their communities today, and in the future. We know that high schoolers are the future change agents of the world, and we can't wait to see how the next generation of students will impact our community.
Students selected as a Citizen Scholar will become a member of a cohort group of student leaders. Each Citizen Scholar will be presented with a congratulatory letter recognizing their accomplishments within their schools and their communities. Scholars will also be gifted a book which speaks to the themes of citizen engagement, the power of individual voices and the importance of democracy. Previous selections have included The Handmaid’s Tale, which sheds light on the horrors that ensue when democratic values disappear, Watch Us Rise, a YA novel about two young women in high school on a mission to have their voices heard, Motherland, which explores complicity and innocence during the Third Reich and As Long As Grass Grows: The Indigenous Fight for Environmental Justice, from Colonization to Standing Rock.
If a Citizen Scholar chooses to apply to UVM they will receive:
Priority consideration for UVM's top merit scholarships
Priority consideration for admission to the Honors College
Application fee waiver ($55)
Nominees must be in eleventh grade, have earned a 3.5 cumulative GPA in a rigorous college preparatory curriculum and have made a contribution to their school or community in some way. Affiliation or interest in UVM is not a condition of the award. A nomination does not guarantee an award.
Mission Statement
The Mission of the University of Vermont:
To create, evaluate, share, and apply knowledge and to prepare students to be accountable leaders who will bring to their work dedication to the global community, a grasp of complexity, effective problem-solving and communication skills, and an enduring commitment to learning and ethical conduct.
The Vision of the University of Vermont:
To be among the nation’s premier research universities with a comprehensive commitment to a liberal arts education, environment, health, and public service.
Strategic Imperatives:
The University of Vermont is poised and ready to build upon our reputation as a premier research institution focused on sustainable solutions with local, national, and global applications and impact.