IUIN-Robert Aponte Memorial Scholarship in Latino Studies at IUIN (Liberal Arts)

Robert Aponte was an Associate Professor of Sociology and an Adjunct Professor of Latino Studies. His academic interests included Latin American immigration, Latino Studies, Poverty and Drug Policy, and Race Ethnicity. Professor Aponte regularly taught in the Latino Studies Program and was the faculty advisor of the Latino Studies Student Association, which helps to unify the diverse Latino students on the IU Indianapolis campus in the desire to promote academic excellence in their community and the pride that accompanies the knowledge of self. He helped create the Latino Studies Certificate Program. In 2018, Professor Aponte received the Latino Studies Program’s Distinguished Award and the Luis Alberto Ambroggio Center for Latino Studies’ Outstanding Professor of the Year Award from the Latino Studies Program. Professor Aponte deeply touched and made significant impact on the lives of everyone, especially many students, faculty, and staff on the IUI campus. The donors are honored to start the Robert Aponte Memorial Scholarship in Latino Studies at IU Indianapolis in memory of Professor Aponte in recognition of his significant contributions to the Latino Studies Program and its students.

This scholarship is to support undergraduate students pursuing a minor or certificate in Latino Studies in the IU School of Liberal Arts at IU Indianapolis. Selection will be based on applicant’s academic record, an essay on the reasons the Latino Studies Program will positively impact his/her academic and professional goals, and a letter of recommendation from a faculty member. The applicant’s cumulative GPA must be greater than 2.8 on a 4.0 scale.