Jan Ellis Memorial Scholarship

UPDATED 2024/2025

Jan Ellis was the heart and soul of the Mesa College dance program for over thirty years. She had knowledge, experience, and an abundance of love and support for her students and colleagues. This scholarship was created to honor her memory.

To be considered for this scholarship you:

  • Must have a 3.5 (B+) GPA
  • Must be enrolled at least part time at Mesa College
  • Must demonstrate service to others
  • Must demonstrate leadership
  • Must demonstrate financial need
  • Must belong to one of the following student populations:
    Adult Learners
    Foster Youth
    Single Parent
    Students with Disabilities
    Undocumented / Dreamer / AB540 / DACA
    Veterans
    Active Military
    DSPS � A program to help students with disabilities.
    EOPS – A program to help students who face barrier to success, including first generation, low income and minoritized students.
    Female
    Foster Youth (Current and Former)
    Male
    Promise Program � A program to help first time full time students san diego residents attend college for free.
    LGBTQ+
  • Must major in one of the following areas:
    Music
    Dance
    Teacher Education
  • Must have completed 12+ units at Mesa
  • Must have taken or be enrolled in courses in one of the following areas:
    Dance
    Dramatic Arts

 


Award funds will be disbursed:
Immediate release of full award (May)

Award
$250
Deadline
02/13/2025
Supplemental Questions
  1. 2024: Mikhail Baryshnikov once said, "The problem is not making up the steps, but deciding which ones to keep." There is no doubt, you have learned many steps as a Mesa College dance student. Reflect upon your time as a Mesa student and provide an example of how your dance experience at Mesa has helped to shape the person/student you are today. Then explain how you will use this experience to propel you forward towards achieving your future goals at a four year institution/ in your career. Your response should be a minimum of 500 words and no more than 1000.
  2. 2024: Please list the dance classes you have taken at Mesa.
  3. 2024: Community Service. Please share your experience regarding ways you give back to your community, this may include volunteerism, or helping out with family, friends, church, etc. How do you want to contribute to your community in the future? (500 words)
  4. 2024: Your Educational Journey. Please share the following: The educational journey that led you to Mesa, including what you did before coming here and what made you decide to enroll at Mesa. Your future goals, including what you plan to do after graduation from Mesa and what your long-term career and educational goals are. Why you chose your major or field of study. You do not need to include every detail, but please try to address each part of the question (your goals, challenges overcome, and what it would mean to you). (500 words)
  5. 2024: Financial Need Essay. Submit an original essay describing your financial need. Mention if you are eligible for PELL or BOG funding, or describe why you are not eligible for PELL or BOG. Include any outside financial support you receive from all sources. (500 words)
  6. 2024: Leadership. Please describe your individual leadership style and discuss a specific incident or event where its characteristics demonstrated beneficial service to the campus or your community. Additionally, define what that service has meant to you. (500 words)
  7. 2024: Resiliency Question. Please share the following: How you have exhibited resiliency in your life. Specific examples of a challenge or challenges that you have overcome. How this scholarship will have a meaningful impact on your educational journey. You do not need to include every detail, but please try to address each part of the question (your goals, challenges overcome, and what it would mean to you). (500 words)
  8. Show 2 more