Final Act Six Cohort at GFU Marks New Era for Scholarship Opportunities
Reported by Katelyn Lam
Photo by Allison Martinet
In fall 2024, George Fox University (GFU) will welcome the final cohort of Act Six scholars as the program transitions to new initiatives supporting diversity efforts. The national Act Six organization, which partners with GFU for recruitment and development, announced that 2024 will mark the program’s final year of operation. Current and incoming Act Six students will remain in the program, with their scholarships covering the full four years.
“The program isn't exactly being discontinued but rather relaunched,” Dean for Intercultural Life Carlos Fernandez said. “We are utilizing existing Act Six funding to develop programs that will effectively serve the growing and expanding needs of underserved populations within the George Fox community. Our Student Life and Enrollment departments are collaborating strategically to best assess how we can utilize allocated funds to serve the greatest number of qualifying students in need.”
Launched at GFU in 2007, Act Six began when fewer than 200 students of color were part of the undergraduate population at the university. Today, over 700 students of color comprise roughly one-third of the university’s traditional undergraduate student body.
The initiative was instrumental in cultivating a campus environment that reflects the diversity of the kingdom of God.
“The program sought to diversify the Fox campus, which, in the mid-2000s, had an ethnic minority population of about 10%,” Fernandez said. “Now, standing at just over 30%, the Act Six program no longer serves as a leading contributor to campus diversification. However, inequitable access to education remains, as does an institutional commitment to develop students spiritually, academically, and professionally to think with clarity, act with integrity, and serve with passion.”
For 17 years, George Fox’s Act Six Scholarship and Leadership program exemplified the university’s commitment to fostering a diverse community. This initiative brought urban leaders, many of them first-generation college students, to campus, encouraging them to lead during their college years and return to their communities as “agents of change” after graduation.
Reflecting on the program, Director of First Generation Student Success Jesse Cetz shared that “the Act Six Scholarship was a symbol of generational change within my family. It symbolized a path toward pursuing education at the university level. It was a clear pathway forward. I was able to grow as a leader alongside my cohort of fellow Act Six scholars. A huge shout-out to Cadre 9!”
Cetz, a former GFU student and Act Six scholar, noted the personal and financial impact of the program.
“The Act Six Scholarship was a huge financial blessing,” Cetz said. “It helped remove the financial barrier to attend college. My dad always dreamt that my younger brother and I would pursue education at the university level. His encouragement and support helped me grow as a learner and develop into a leader who cares about service.”
While sentimental about the conclusion of Act Six, Cetz expressed excitement for the new opportunities. “The Act Six Program has a special place in my heart,” Cetz said. “It’s a blessing to develop strong friendships as a byproduct of the program. I am equally excited about the development of the Beacon Transfer Scholarship program, which will provide equitable care for community college students seeking a pathway to a bachelor’s degree.”
As Act Six concludes, GFU plans to launch the Beacon Transfer Scholarship program. This initiative will provide graduates of local community colleges and associate degree programs, particularly first-generation students and those from underserved populations, with a pathway to complete their bachelor’s degrees at GFU.
“The plan is for a designated number of selected transfer students to receive a two-year, full-tuition, full-need scholarship,” Fernandez said. “These students will participate in transitional programming designed to ensure success upon entering the George Fox community. They will join cohort-style support meetings throughout their two years to engage in deliberate conversations on leadership and returning to their communities as agents of change.”
Cetz encouraged students seeking scholarships to connect with GFU’s financial aid office.
“The financial aid team is a huge support in locating scholarships,” Cetz said. “I also encourage students to find online scholarship databases and connect with two staff or mentors who can help edit and develop scholarship essay prompts.”