The Gural Scholars program is more than a scholarship—it is a commitment to enabling students to develop work and an identity as social justice scholars and activists. Students participate from admittance (from the first to the third year) to graduation. In addition to receiving a supplemental
scholarship, scholars are enrolled in a year-long cohort-based seminar (up to one credit for each academic semester) focused on social justice theory and practice.
In all Gural Scholars spaces, we uplift the experiences and expertise of our student scholars and cultivate connections. All of our seminars explore strategies for change making through diverse approaches. Our praxis (study in action) is rooted in community
contributions.
In Gural Scholars, we:
- Consider the self and identity within community, history, and the contemporary moment
- Draw on key case studies to examine long-term organizing principles and strategies
- Prepare students to address social justice issues in an evolving society
- Challenge the political economy of social justice, specifically its institutional forms—charities, nonprofits, foundations, NGOs—and examine alternatives such as mutual aid and collective practice
- Present lessons in accountability on a community and cultural level
The Scholars community acknowledges a world climate of white supremacy, anti-Black racism, patriarchy, transphobia, queerphobia, and anti-poverty and anti-immigrant narratives. Students are given tools with which to challenge and combat oppression through care and community
advocacy. We also recognize that this work is ongoing and will never be resolved through single solutions.
Scholars meet weekly with a cohort and participate in community gatherings and other activities, which may include field trips, one-on-one advising, film series, and guest speaker lectures. Our staff and faculty are activists, artists, community organizers,
and stakeholders in the field as well as individuals who have expertise in navigating The New School.
In their first-year cohort, scholars are welcomed into the program and oriented to social justice values. The second-year cohort typically focuses on the architecture of specific movements and practices. The third-year cohort may complete a travel-based
or independent summer project. The fourth-year cohort engages in self-study and preparation for the future.
Please email [email protected] with any questions.