Apply Now for the Norman Brown Diversity & Leadership Scholarship
The Norman Brown Diversity and Leadership Scholars Program (NBDLSP) was created in 1988 by Mr. Norman Brown, a former Associate Director in the IUPUI Office of Undergraduate Admissions. In 2005, the program’s name was changed to its present moniker to honor Mr. Brown’s contributions to the IUPUI community and his commitment to diversity.
The Norman Brown Diversity and Leadership Scholars Program supports the university’s strong commitment to diversity through the recruitment and retention of students from populations historically underrepresented in institutions of higher education. Scholarship recipients are required to participate in the Norman Brown Scholars’ protocol which encourages academic success, leadership development, civic-engagement, and diversity education.
The NBDLSP works to fulfill four main objectives:
- Recruitment of academically talented diverse students to IUPUI
- Retention of this diverse population through the attainment of academic success, including recognition and encouragement for scholars who demonstrate academic excellence.
- Programming designed to engage participants in leadership and civic activities so they may serve as leaders in their community.
- Guidance and support that leads to a timely graduation and exceptional career preparation.
The program was created under the name Minority Achievement Scholarship Program in 1988 by Norman Brown, a former Associate Director of the IUPUI Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Mr. Brown retired in 1993 and that fall, a committee of faculty and staff members assumed stewardship over the program. In 2000, the name of the program was expanded to honor Mr. Brown. Later in the fall of 2005, the name was changed once again to the present moniker of the Norman Brown Diversity and Leadership Scholars Program.
This revised name was selected to not only continue to honor Mr. Brown, the founder, but to also clearly represent the tenets of the program which are to foster leadership, scholarship and participation in service activities. Although there have been changes in the name of the program over the years, the mission of the program remains the same.
Scholar Spotlight
Inspire IUPUI shares the stories of IUPUI students, faculty and graduates who have overcome the odds to make a difference on campus and in their communities. Check Out Norman Brown Scholar Khrisma McMurray’s story below.
IUPUI senior reflects on life-changing decision to become a Jaguar
Khrisma McMurray has been a member of the Jaguar family since middle school. As an Indianapolis native, she attended IUPUI summer programs for years, and finally made the decision to officially become a Jag after attending a college fair in high school.
"What really stood out to me was that the admissions counselor actually showed me resources on campus,” McMurray said. “That really stuck with me when I made my decision, because before that I wasn’t sure if I wanted to attend IUPUI. I wanted to choose a place that would be more of a home for me. Even though I live 30 minutes away, I wanted a college experience, and I wanted to feel safe."
The people I’ve met and the resources here are the main things that helped me get through my four years.
Choosing IUPUI has become her best decision yet. After completing an eye-opening internship through the School of Education with the Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools, McMurray made the switch from being a business major to psychology. She realized that there are a lot of issues children go through and wanted to be a part of the solution.
McMurray took that passion of wanting to help others and added it to every extracurricular she has been involved in at IUPUI. As a freshman, she had many people inspire her, which jump-started her passion to be an influence on other students.
"One of the main reasons I became involved was to help other students who look like me," McMurray said."I am African American, so when I came to IUPUI, I didn’t see people who looked like me in a lot of roles. The people I did see made a big impact on my life. That is something I really appreciate looking back on."
As a member of the Regatta Steering Committee, president of the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. chapter and member of the Chancellor’s Student Advisory Board, McMurray has made her mark in several areas of campus. Her goal has always been to be in a position of leadership in order to include her peers and ensure their voices are being heard—and she’s achieved just that.
The effect IUPUI has left on McMurray will never leave her side. She has changed for the better and wants to carry that mindset on in the years to come.
"I am really grateful for IUPUI," McMurray said.
"Being on campus has helped me get used to adapting. I am a person who doesn’t like change. IUPUI is a large campus, and things are always changing. I have gotten used to being in a constant state of change and being more flexible."
Her time at IUPUI is not over just yet. As she finishes up her undergraduate degree this spring, McMurray is looking ahead to graduate school, where she will be pursuing a master’s degree in public affairs with a concentration in policy analysis at the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs.
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Taylor Hall, UC115,
815 West Michigan Street,
Indianapolis, IN 46202.
Phone: (317)-274-6534
Fax: (317) 278-8338
Email: nbdlsp@iupui.edu