Abel Mengistab
The Public Affairs and Policy Management (PAPM) program has established the Abel Mengistab Memorial Scholarship for students who are Black, Indigenous, or People of Colour (BIPOC) in honour of Abel Mengistab, a third-year student in the program who, sadly, died in 2020. Abel worked for social justice and equity. He was co-chair of the Carleton University NDP Club; a deacon in his church; and a worker at a shelter for the homeless. Abel wished to see the most marginalized in society represented in political life. In honour of Abel’s commitment, the scholarship will be awarded to a BIPOC student who demonstrates a commitment to social justice.
In the past year, the PAPM program has been working with the Black Students in Public Affairs Association, particularly Nikayda Harris and Fariba Al-Hassan, as well as Meghan Burns and Amy Lithe of the PAPM Student Society, to make the program a more equitable and welcoming place for its diverse student body.
“This scholarship is part of an effort, in collaboration with our students and the university, to welcome Black, Indigenous, and racialized students, and contribute to making higher education more equitable and our community more inclusive,” explains Prof. Lisa Mills, director of the PAPM program.
She says it is particularly important to prepare these students for policymaking roles.
“Public policies have an enormous influence on the lives of Indigenous, Black, and racialized communities; however, these communities have been underrepresented in the public sector, particularly at higher levels of leadership,” notes Mills.
The scholarship has been endowed with a $25,000 scholarship from Arthur Kroeger College. Students will be able to apply in the spring of 2022.
Anyone wishing to contribute to the Abel Mengistab Memorial Scholarship may donate via the FutureFunder page.
Read the Ottawa Citizen story about Abel Megistab.
Friday, October 15, 2021 in Arthur Kroeger College of Public Affairs, News
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