Susan J. Herman Award for Leadership in Holocaust & Genocide Awareness
This award honors the work and inspiration of Dr. Susan J. Herman, Professor of Management at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and Professor Emerita of Management at Keene State College. Dr. Herman served the College, the Cohen Center, and New Hampshire through a lifetime of advocacy, education, curriculum development and leadership training. Dr. Herman’s considerable talents helped to motivate College leaders, faculty and community supporters to join in promoting Holocaust and genocide studies, leading many to a greater awareness of how genocide, mass murder and other crimes of atrocity affect us all today.
The Susan J. Herman Award, which is permanently endowed, recognizes individuals who are striving to stimulate greater understanding of genocide, increase activism on behalf of the victims of crimes against humanity, or inspire community engagement in educating people about genocide both historically and in our contemporary world by providing funding to support students who are committed to increasing public awareness and understanding of genocide.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Once all funds have been allocated for a given year, applications will no longer be accepted. Review of applications for academic year 2024-2025 will begin after July 1, 2025. For additional information about the award, please contact the Cohen Institute team.
Eligibility and Requirements
All Keene State College undergraduate students are eligible to apply. Applications can come from an individual student or a group of students looking to work on a shared project/initiative together. In either case, the maximum amount of the award will remain the same ($1,300 for 2024-2025). Additionally, a $200 stipend will be awarded to the faculty mentor overseeing the project/initiative upon its completion.
The proposed project must be completed in its entirety before a student graduates from KSC. Seniors cannot apply for funding for the summer after they graduate, for example.
The deadline to apply for funding for Spring 2026 is March 13, 2025.
Application Process
Proposals must be submitted through the online application. Each application must include:
- A project narrative (including an abstract) that details what is being proposed and how it is aligned with the aims of this award
- A detailed budget explaining how the funds will be used
- A letter of support from a faculty member who knows the student, supports the proposed project, and agrees to serve as a mentor for the project.
Up to two proposals from Keene State College students will be funded during academic year 2024-2025. The Award could be used to fund opportunities that support applicants’ growth as leaders in Holocaust and genocide awareness (i.e., travel to leadership conferences, professional development trainings), provided that the student’s application explains how they will leverage the opportunity for the benefit of the community. It could also support existing student leaders in their work to promote awareness (i.e., funding to support a project or event). Funding should cover project expenses—such as supplies for a project, food for a community event, or speaker fees—and must follow KSC rules and regulations: for example, funds cannot be used to cover first-class airfare or alcohol at events.
Students are expected to communicate and/or meet with their mentor based on a schedule to be determined at the outset of the project. Depending on the project’s nature, students may be required to submit periodic status reports to the Cohen Institute. Specific deliverables for this project, such as a public presentation or reports documenting its impact, will be required and determined with the Director of the Cohen Institute.
Additional Information
Prospective applicants and their faculty mentors are strongly encouraged to reach out to the Director of the Cohen Institute for support in crafting a strong proposal.
Past Recipients
| Year | Recipients |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Bianca Bostwick (faculty mentor: Ashley Greene) |
| 2023 | Allison Newey, Jan Cohen |
| 2022 | Eric Silverman, Jay Kahn |
| 2019 | David Blair, Patricia Whalen |
| 2018 | Patrick Smith |
| 2017 | Kathleen Dougherty, Galen Gammino, Alan Rosen, Donald Steinberg |
| 2016 | Katharine Marren, Charlotte Meyers, Tanner Semmelrock, Kati Preston, Helen Fein |
| 2015 | Kelly Christianson, Vahidin Omanovic |
| 2014 | Chloe Nixon, Taylor Krauss |
| 2013 | Matthew Parkes, Eric Reeves |
| 2012 | Danielle Flaherty, Fred Schwartz, Stephan Lewy |
| 2011 | Brittney Sousa, Therese Seibert |
| 2010 | Michelle Sigiel, Marjorie Margolis, Gretchen Steidle Wallace |
Note: Prior to 2025, the Herman Award recognized students and community members who had demonstrated previous leadership in Holocaust and genocide awareness.
