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 the informational session to be held on October 28, 2024. See details at the bottom of this page. 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 2025 is March 14, 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.

Additionally, the Cohen Institute will be hosting an information session for prospective applicants and/or faculty mentors on Monday, October 28, 2024, from 5:00-5:30pm in Mason 142. No RSVP is required.