For the 2006-2007 academic year, Walden University awarded Commitment to Social Change Scholarships to two doctoral and two master's students who have experience effecting positive social change in their communities and who possess a strong social change vision for the future.
Gertha Lusby
Filmmaker, Member of the Nonprofit TARGET Area Development Corporation
Ph.D. in Applied Management and Decision Sciences Student
Social Change Achievement: Produced documentary on three African-American men in the Illinois criminal justice system and the challenges and injustices they face upon release
Social Change Goal: Promoting policies that give formerly
incarcerated African-American men a second chance in society
J. Paul Shirley
Social Worker (Retired), Author
Ph.D. in Psychology Student
Social Change Achievements: Founding board member of the Personality Disorders Awareness Network and author of a guide to living with individuals who have borderline personality disorder
Social Change Goal: Providing a mental health support community for pastors via his Web site
Joy Bishop
Elementary School Teacher
M.S. in Education Student
Social Change Achievements: Established Kids Care Club for at-risk students and facilitates her school's Character Counts program
Social Change Goal: Helping at-risk and struggling students overcome behavioral and academic challenges so that they are recognized not for their challenges, but for their outstanding character and perseverance
Tracey Esplin
Special Education Teacher
M.S. in Education Student
Social Change Achievements: Changed her fellow teachers' perceptions of special education students via presentations and dialogues and established a library serving a special needs population
Social Change Goal: Having her students treated equally so that they blend in to the general education curriculum and classroom.