Michael Kiser Scholarship

The Michael Kiser Scholarship provides the opportunity for a promising new professional to attend the Summer Institute for Communications and Marketing, CASE's flagship training program for newcomers to the communications and marketing field.

The scholarship provides full conference registration (which includes lodging and most meals) and reimbursement of up to $500 in travel expenses for the Summer Institute for Communications and Marketing. 

Instructions

Individuals at CASE member institutions are eligible to apply. There is no application fee.

Applicants should have three or fewer years of experience in educational advancement, or have changed advancement disciplines in the last three years. (For example: Changed from alumni relations to fundraising.)

Preference goes to professionals from under-represented populations and those who work in offices with demonstrably limited resources.

  • Sept. 11, 2019: Nominations open for 2020 Michael Kiser Scholarship
  • Nov. 13, 2019: Nominations close
  • December 2019: Winner notified

All application materials are submitted online by the applicant. To create a CASE account linked to your employer, or to reset your password, visit www.case.org/join.

The applicant will be asked to answer/provide the following:

  • Describe your advancement office (size, scope of work), and your role within the office. 
  • How did you come to work in educational advancement?
  • Why do you do the work that you do? 
  • What do you think distinguishes you from others who also may apply for this scholarship?
  • What professional development needs, as well as institutional needs,  would you hope to meet by attending a CASE conference? 

  • A 500-word essay describing a time, situation or circumstance that made you feel lucky. (This was a favorite theme of Michael's.)

The applicant also will be asked to upload the following:

  • Current resume
  • A letter of support on institutional letterhead from the applicant's supervisor

  • A professional photo, which can be used by CASE for promotional purposes if the nominee's application is successful.

2019: Jennifer Johnson, Johnson University
2018: Lynn Frank, Mount Saint Mary College

You can reach the CASE Awards team at awards@case.org.

Please include in your correspondence the name of the award, and category number and name, if applicable.

 

About Michael Kiser

Michael Kiser

Michael Kiser

The scholarship honors a dear CASE colleague, Michael Kiser, who served as a longtime volunteer, including many years on the faculty of the Summer Institute for Communications and Marketing. He also served as chair of the CASE Campaign Communications Conference and the Institute for Senior Communications and Marketing Professionals, and as a judge of CASE international and regional competitions in websites, subsites, and social media programs.

He received a number of CASE awards for his work in communications and marketing, including recognition for comprehensive institutional relations programs, social media outreach, magazine publishing, and donor stewardship.

He joined the CASE staff in 2016 as vice president for communications and marketing, and served until his death in April 2017.