Each year UA awards several scholarships to students who demonstrate an active commitment to community service, especially in pursuit of social, economic or environmental justice. The UA Scholarship Committee is very excited to announce the recipients of this year’s scholarships. For more information on the scholarships and the people they were established to honor, click here or see below.
David Shiman Scholarship
Rachel Elliott is honored to be awarded this year’s David Shiman Scholarship. They are graduating with a BS in environmental science and a minor in Spanish. Over the past four years, they’ve become deeply embedded in the Burlington and broader Vermont communities, organizing around social, economic, and environmental justice, as well as food sovereignty and access to healthy soil. Most recently, Rachel has been organizing with Migrant Justice in pursuit of Milk With Dignity, and is excited to continue working with MJ and other powerful Vermont groups over the next several years. Solo el pueblo salva al pueblo.
Linda Backus Memorial Scholarship
Amelia Glickman is an undergraduate Sociology student with a concentration in Crime and Criminal Justice along with minors in Latin American and Caribbean Studies, Biology, and Studio Art. She is president of the University of Vermont Prison Partnership club, which is dedicated to advocating for criminal justice reform and volunteering in the local women's prison. This summer, Amelia will continue her advocacy work as an intern for FreeHerVT, the Vermont chapter of the Council for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls, where she will play a part in political organizing, and outreach in public schools. She is excited to begin research surrounding criminal justice reform while continuing her studies at UVM.
Jeffrey Brace Scholarships
Matthew Breunig is a first-year graduate student pursuing a Master of Social Work. They received their Bachelor of Science in psychology at the University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire. During the 2022-2023 academic year, Matthew was the Will Miller intern for United Academics. During their time working for the union, Matthew dedicated their time campaigning for the part-time bargaining unit, and to make the Board of Trustees democratic. As such, they advanced their skills while interacting with state legislators to promote United Academics’ bill. Outside of the statehouse, they gained experience in frontline union efforts in events such as picketing and rallying.
Maggie Pierce (she/her) is a junior at the University of Vermont majoring in History and Social Work. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys running, reading, and debating. She completes most of her economic and social justice service through the Lawrence Debate Union, including hosting public debates, engaging in research, and volunteering in local prisons. To Maggie, there is no greater tool than one’s voice, and she believes a key tenet of justice is empowering those who have been deprived of theirs. After graduation, she intends to attend law school, with a special interest in criminal and migrant justice.
Brittany Blakeman is a senior at UVM, graduating with a degree in Social Work. She is led to social work due to the inherent obligation to advancing social justice, human rights, and racial equity. Throughout her senior year, Brittany worked with Cathedral Square and SASH (Support and Services at Home) to ensure aging adults and those living with disabilities had accessibility to essential resources, combating loneliness and isolation, and promoting self-sufficiency for those aging in place/at home. Brittany will be continuing her work in the community at ONE Community Arts School in Burlington as an Infant Teacher, where she will continue to promote social and economic justice for marginalized families and youth.
More about our scholarships:
The David Shiman Scholarship of $1,500 is presented to a UVM senior or graduate student with an outstanding and sustained record of community service, especially in pursuit of social or economic justice. The scholarship is named in honor of David Shiman, long-time professor of education at UVM and past president of United Academics.
The Linda Backus Memorial Scholarship of $1,000 is presented to an undergraduate student for outstanding community service, especially in pursuit of social or economic justice. The scholarship is named in honor of Linda Backus, former UVM professor of education, committed union organizer, and second president of United Academics.
UA also awards three $500 Jeffrey Brace Scholarships to students with an active commitment to community service, especially in pursuit of social or economic justice. The scholarship is named in honor of Jeffrey Brace, an early 19th-century Black Vermonter, previously enslaved person and activist. Scholarship recipients are selected based on demonstrated involvement in community service, especially activities related to social and/or economic justice, in keeping with United Academics’ values.