Dr. Terran Jordan International Excellence in Leadership, STEM & Emergency Management Scholarship

$1,000
1 winner$1,000
Awarded
Application Deadline
Nov 1, 2025
Winners Announced
Dec 1, 2025
Education Level
Any
Eligibility Requirements
Education Level:
High school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student
Age:
18+ years old
GPA:
3.0 GPA or higher
Race:
Black
Field of Study:
Leadership, STEM, or Emergency Management

Scholarship Overview

The Dr. Terran Jordan International Excellence in Leadership, STEM & Emergency Management Scholarship is designed to empower the next generation of bold, innovative leaders who are committed to advancing the fields of STEM, emergency management, and crisis leadership. This scholarship honors academic excellence, resilience, and leadership qualities essential for those driving change in disaster response, technological advancement, and global crisis management.

Strong leadership is essential in an ever-changing world, and the ability to innovate, problem-solve, and navigate uncertainty is what sets transformational leaders apart. This scholarship recognizes students who not only excel academically but also demonstrate a commitment to leadership, innovation, and resilience in their chosen fields.

The goal of this award is to support high-achieving Black students from underrepresented backgrounds in the U.S. and internationally who aspire to lead in STEM, emergency management, homeland security, disaster response, or related fields. Whether through technological innovation, policy development, research, or crisis response efforts, recipients of this scholarship will be equipped to create lasting global impact.

About Dr. Terran Jordan

Dr. Terran Jordan is an African American leader, educator, and scholar who has dedicated her career to leadership, crisis management, and STEM-driven solutions. Understanding the barriers that underrepresented communities face in these industries, she is committed to ensuring that Black students have access to resources that will elevate their careers, leadership opportunities, and global impact.

Why This Scholarship Matters

Despite advancements in diversity, Black professionals remain significantly underrepresented in STEM and emergency management fields.

  • Black professionals make up only 9% of STEM occupations in the U.S., despite representing a larger percentage of the overall workforce.
  • In emergency management and crisis leadership roles, less than 5% of leadership positions are held by Black professionals, limiting diverse perspectives in disaster response and crisis decision-making.
  • Representation in executive leadership within STEM-related industries remains below 7% globally, further emphasizing the need for more Black innovators, crisis leaders, and decision-makers.

By supporting Black students in STEM and emergency management, this scholarship invests in future leaders who will drive technological advancements, policy improvements, and global disaster preparedness.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Education Level: Open to Black high school seniors, undergraduate, and graduate students
  • Fields of Study: Must be pursuing a degree in STEM, Emergency Management, Homeland Security, Disaster Response, or Crisis Leadership-related fields
  • GPA Requirement: Minimum 3.0 GPA
  • Enrollment Verification: Must provide proof of current enrollment in a Department of Education-recognized Community College or University
  • High school seniors must provide a letter of acceptance and proof of enrollment to receive the award
  • Leadership & Impact: Must demonstrate leadership experience, problem-solving skills, or contributions to STEM, emergency management, or crisis response efforts

Award Amount

  • Scholarship Amount: Varies between $1,000 - $5,000 (based on availability)
  • Number of Recipients: 1; TBD based on available funding

Application Requirements

  • Essay Prompt (500 - 1,000 words): Describe a time when you demonstrated leadership during a challenge. How do you plan to use your background in STEM or emergency management to make an impact in your community or globally?
  • Originality Requirement: AI detection software will be used to ensure authenticity and originality in submitted essays.
  • Letters of Recommendation:
  • Minimum of one required, up to three encouraged
  • At least one must come from an academic or professional reference
  • Other letters may be from mentors, community leaders, or professionals who can speak to leadership, academic achievements, or career potential
  • Additional Required Documentation:
  • Resume (optional but encouraged)
  • Any relevant projects, research papers, or initiatives related to leadership, STEM, or emergency management

Selection Criteria

Recipients will be chosen based on:

  • Academic Excellence (GPA, coursework, achievements)
  • Demonstrated Leadership (school, community, professional impact)
  • Commitment to Innovation & Crisis Management (projects, initiatives, or research)
  • Clarity & Depth of Essay Submission
Selection Criteria:
Ambition, Drive, Impact
Published July 30, 2025
Essay Topic

Describe a time when you demonstrated leadership during a challenge. How do you plan to use your background in STEM or emergency management to make an impact in your community or in the world?


5001000 words

Winners and Finalists

Winning Application

Lillian Andrews
Elizabeth City State UniversityColumbia, SC
During my junior year of high school, I was selected to attend a two-week Solo Flight Academy. It was an exciting and intense program designed to train students to fly a Cessna 172. The experience was already a major milestone for me as a young Black woman entering the field of aviation, and being the first pilot in my family is a major accomplishment. Aviation is an industry where people who look like me are still underrepresented. One particular day during the academy tested my leadership skills in a way I didn’t expect. On the fourth day of training, a severe thunderstorm warning was issued during our morning weather briefing. Many students, including myself, were nervous, as most of us were just beginning to understand how to interpret weather data and what it meant for flight safety. Some were visibly anxious, unsure if the day’s training would be canceled or how we would proceed. I decided to step up and be a calming presence for my peers. Drawing on what we had learned so far in ground school, I encouraged a few of my classmates to sit with me and review METARs and TAFs, the weather reports pilots use to make go/no-go decisions. I helped break down the codes so we could understand what they were really saying, and we worked together to ask meaningful questions when the instructors arrived. I also suggested we use the delay to practice emergency procedures and quiz each other on aircraft systems. This proactive mindset helped shift the mood from panic to productivity. Even though I wasn’t the most experienced student, I showed leadership by using knowledge, communication, and empathy. I learned that leadership isn’t about having all the answers, it's about being willing to guide others through uncertainty and help them find solutions together. This moment deepened my passion for aviation and showed me how STEM skills can directly support safety and emergency decision-making. As I prepare to study aviation science and emergency management in college, I plan to continue combining these two fields. My long-term goal is to become a pilot who specializes in disaster relief operations and humanitarian missions. Whether it’s delivering supplies after a hurricane, using drones to assess wildfire damage, or helping coordinate airlifts during medical emergencies, I want to use my skills to make an impact where it’s needed most. Growing up, I’ve always looked for ways to serve others and make a difference. Now, with my background in aviation, leadership, and STEM, I feel empowered to contribute to both my local community and the wider world. I believe representation matters, and I hope that by following this path, I can inspire other young people, especially people that look like me to pursue careers in science, aviation, and emergency response. My mission is to give back to the community and inspire people of all ages. I will be the change I want to see in the world. Leadership starts with being prepared, staying grounded, and choosing to act when others are unsure. I’m ready to take that mindset into the sky and beyond.

FAQ

When is the scholarship application deadline?

The application deadline is Nov 1, 2025. Winners will be announced on Dec 1, 2025.