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STUDENT AND EARLY CAREER PROFESSIONALS UPDATE
The Expanding Representation in the

Geosciences Scholarship Offers More

Than Just a Financial Award to Students

Tahlia Bear, GSA Diversity and Career Officer “This opportunity reaffirmed that
I am pursuing the right field. As my
Over the past decade, GSA has operated a scholarship program education progressed, I became
for undergraduate students who come from communities under- more and more passionate about
represented in the geosciences. While the name has evolved, its studying geology, in particular plan-
intention has never changed in its aim to help defray the cost of etary geology, but there was always
education for students pursuing a degree in the geosciences. a part of me that wondered if I was
The Expanding Representation in the Geosciences (ERG) ‘good enough’ or making the ‘right’
Scholarship, established in 2011, awards up to six students per decision. Being able to attend the
year from each GSA regional Section a scholarship of US$1,500. online GSA conference, present my
In addition to the award, students receive a complimentary one- work, discuss and understand cur-
year GSA membership, full meeting registration for the upcoming rent research in the field, and just generally being recognized for the
annual meeting, where a student reception is held, an invitation to work and effort I have devoted over the past four years was definitely
On To the Future events, and mentorship at the annual meeting. a series of ‘ feel good’ moments.” —Kierra Wilk
Since its inception, 57 students have been awarded, with over
75% of awards going to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. “This opportunity and experi-
Last year, six students from across the United States received ence helped curate my interests
awards: and fortified my desire to become a
• GSA Cordilleran Section: Alexa Terrazas, University of geoscientist. I aspire to share my
California Los Angeles research with the geoscience com-
• GSA North-Central Section: McKenna Riggen, The University munity and inspire others in the
of Texas at Austin future.” —Alexa Terrazas
• GSA Northeastern Section: Kierra Wilk, Rensselaer
Polytechnic Institute
• GSA Rocky Mountain Section: Alice Morris, Fort Lewis
College
• GSA South-Central Section: Brittany Bray, South Dakota GSA is accepting applications for the ERG scholarships begin-
School of Mines and Technology ning 1 March through 15 May. Questions about this opportunity
• GSA Southeastern Section: Amanda Mayo, The University of can be directed to awards@geosociety.org.
Tennessee at Martin
https://www.geosociety.org/erg

18 GSA Today | March-April 2021