Diversity Scholar Recipients

Diversity Scholar Recipients

Diversity Scholar Recipients

Overview

Encouraging diversity and inclusion within the field of ADR

The Diversity Scholarship Fund was established by the AAA-ICDR Foundation through a special gift by the American Arbitration Association. The Fund provides diverse students/professionals with up to $2,000 of financial assistance towards participation in a degree program or fellowship in alternative dispute resolution or attendance at a well-recognized conference. The mission of the Diversity Scholarship Fund is to encourage diversity and inclusion within the field of ADR by supporting the pursuit of knowledge and skill development through training experiences that encourage inclusive leadership growth in the field of ADR.

In addition to these individualized grants, the AAA-ICDR Foundation has established diversity scholarships at Howard University and North Carolina Central University, two historically Black colleges and universities that offer certificates in dispute resolution programs in their law schools.

Both scholarships involve a three-year commitment of $150,000, $50,000 annually, to award scholarships to second- or third-year law school students in certificate in dispute resolution programs. Scholarship recipients will be selected yearly, in September, by each law school.
$631K+
IN GRANTS FUNDED
The Foundation has funded $631,777 in Diversity Scholarship Grants.
$1,549
AVERAGE DIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP GRANT 2023
The average Diversity Scholarship grant amount in 2023. The Average HBCU Diversity Scholarship Grant in 2023 was $16,000.
162
SCHOLAR RECIPIENTS
Since inception, the Foundation has awarded 162 Diversity Scholarships.

Historically Black Colleges and University Scholarship Recipients

2023 Historically Black Colleges and University Scholarship Recipients

Joselys Corneelio

Scholar

Joselys Corneelio

Washington D.C.

School

Howard University School of Law

My goals within the field of ADR are to "Incorporate the principles and practices of ADR within my professional practice to foster efficient dispute resolution, creating win-win scenarios for all parties involved."

Grant Amount

$25,000

PROGRAM

AAA-ICDR Foundation HBCU Scholarship

Amir Muhammad

Scholar

Amir Muhammad

Washington D.C.

School

Howard University School of Law

My ADR professor actually told the class something during my 2L year that I value, and know I will continue to value, throughout my career. He mentioned that arbitration is becoming more prevalent and that makes learning about it now that much more advantageous. Alternative dispute resolution is a realm of law that oftentimes can trip a layperson up in arbitration contracts, or lawyers during mediation settlements. I want to learn, study, and become one of the next leaders in arbitration to encourage others like me of an "alternative" career path as opposed to big law or public interest. And I want to continue to not only show diversity, but be amongst those as well in what I see as a beneficial wave.

Grant Amount

$25,000

PROGRAM

AAA-ICDR Foundation HBCU Scholarship

Tamia Glover

Scholar

Tamia Glover

North Carolina

School

North Carolina Central University School of Law

After graduation I plan on practicing criminal defense and part of being a defense attorney is negotiating plea bargains with prosecutors. I plan on incorporating my ADR certificate into the practice of criminal defense, this certificate will provide me with additional tools to zealously advocate for my clients.

Grant Amount

$20,000

PROGRAM

AAA-ICDR Foundation HBCU Scholarship

Brie Starks

Scholar

Brie Starks

North Carolina

School

North Carolina Central University School of Law

I am pursuing the field of ADR in order to advance my skills and contribute to the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) space. I believe that ADR will contribute to the many differences that show up in corporate DEI spaces. I additionally plan to pursue a career in Civil and Human Rights and ADR would enhance my skills a great deal in order to effectively solve disputes in the future for clients and between community leaders and larger systems.

Grant Amount

$16,416

PROGRAM

AAA-ICDR Foundation HBCU Scholarship

Sarah Ayad

Scholar

Sarah Ayad

North Carolina

School

North Carolina Central University School of Law

Alternative dispute resolution is important in small communities, like my own, where people do not fully trust the legal process. It also allows parties to play an important role in resolving their own disputes which often results in creative solutions, longer-lasting outcomes, greater satisfaction, and improved relationships. As someone who strives to uphold a reputation of honesty and integrity, I know the Muslim community will come to me to help resolve their disputes in a cost effective, efficient, and healthy way. I hope to be a conduit for change for how disputes are currently resolved in my community, and it starts with me.

Grant Amount

$5,975

PROGRAM

AAA-ICDR Foundation HBCU Scholarship

Celeea Williams

Scholar

Celeea Williams

North Carolina

School

North Carolina Central University School of Law

North Carolina Central University School of Law
I am a wife to an army veteran that served over twenty-one years, and I witnessed the need for advocacy concerning veterans’ rights. My goal is to use my knowledge and skills gained in arbitration and mediation to assist veterans. I will assist veterans with getting benefits that are needed and deserved.

Grant Amount

$7,609

PROGRAM

AAA-ICDR Foundation HBCU Scholarship

Historically Black Colleges and University Scholarship Recipients

2023 Historically Black Colleges and University Scholarship Recipients

mobile
Joselys Corneelio

Scholar

Joselys Corneelio

Washington D.C.

School

Howard University School of Law

My goals within the field of ADR are to "Incorporate the principles and practices of ADR within my professional practice to foster efficient dispute resolution, creating win-win scenarios for all parties involved."

Grant Amount

$25,000

PROGRAM

AAA-ICDR Foundation HBCU Scholarship

mobile
Amir Muhammad

Scholar

Amir Muhammad

Washington D.C.

School

Howard University School of Law

My ADR professor actually told the class something during my 2L year that I value, and know I will continue to value, throughout my career. He mentioned that arbitration is becoming more prevalent and that makes learning about it now that much more advantageous. Alternative dispute resolution is a realm of law that oftentimes can trip a layperson up in arbitration contracts, or lawyers during mediation settlements. I want to learn, study, and become one of the next leaders in arbitration to encourage others like me of an "alternative" career path as opposed to big law or public interest. And I want to continue to not only show diversity, but be amongst those as well in what I see as a beneficial wave.

Grant Amount

$25,000

PROGRAM

AAA-ICDR Foundation HBCU Scholarship

mobile
Tamia Glover

Scholar

Tamia Glover

North Carolina

School

North Carolina Central University School of Law

After graduation I plan on practicing criminal defense and part of being a defense attorney is negotiating plea bargains with prosecutors. I plan on incorporating my ADR certificate into the practice of criminal defense, this certificate will provide me with additional tools to zealously advocate for my clients.

Grant Amount

$20,000

PROGRAM

AAA-ICDR Foundation HBCU Scholarship

mobile
Brie Starks

Scholar

Brie Starks

North Carolina

School

North Carolina Central University School of Law

I am pursuing the field of ADR in order to advance my skills and contribute to the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) space. I believe that ADR will contribute to the many differences that show up in corporate DEI spaces. I additionally plan to pursue a career in Civil and Human Rights and ADR would enhance my skills a great deal in order to effectively solve disputes in the future for clients and between community leaders and larger systems.

Grant Amount

$16,416

PROGRAM

AAA-ICDR Foundation HBCU Scholarship

mobile
Sarah Ayad

Scholar

Sarah Ayad

North Carolina

School

North Carolina Central University School of Law

Alternative dispute resolution is important in small communities, like my own, where people do not fully trust the legal process. It also allows parties to play an important role in resolving their own disputes which often results in creative solutions, longer-lasting outcomes, greater satisfaction, and improved relationships. As someone who strives to uphold a reputation of honesty and integrity, I know the Muslim community will come to me to help resolve their disputes in a cost effective, efficient, and healthy way. I hope to be a conduit for change for how disputes are currently resolved in my community, and it starts with me.

Grant Amount

$5,975

PROGRAM

AAA-ICDR Foundation HBCU Scholarship

mobile
Celeea Williams

Scholar

Celeea Williams

North Carolina

School

North Carolina Central University School of Law

North Carolina Central University School of Law
I am a wife to an army veteran that served over twenty-one years, and I witnessed the need for advocacy concerning veterans’ rights. My goal is to use my knowledge and skills gained in arbitration and mediation to assist veterans. I will assist veterans with getting benefits that are needed and deserved.

Grant Amount

$7,609

PROGRAM

AAA-ICDR Foundation HBCU Scholarship

Scholar Recipient

2022 Scholarship Recipient

2021 Scholarship Recipient

2020 Scholarship Recipient

2021 Scholarships Totaled $39,605.
2020 Scholarships Totaled $12,463.
The AAA-ICDR Foundation is proud to support the following scholars:
The AAA-ICDR Foundation is proud to support the following scholars:
Mamakiziel Siah Sicarr

Scholar

Mamakiziel Siah Sicarr

Sierra Leone

GRANT AMOUNT

$660

PROGRAM

Mediator Beyond Borders International, Restorative Practice Training

Kadiatu Tholley

Scholar

Kadiatu Tholley

Sierra Leone

GRANT AMOUNT

$590

PROGRAM

Mediator Beyond Borders International, Restorative Practice Training

Adama Sesay

Scholar

Adama Sesay

Sierra Leone

GRANT AMOUNT

$560

PROGRAM

Mediator Beyond Borders International, Restorative Practice Training

Kaltumi Abdulazeez

Scholar

Kaltumi Abdulazeez

Nigeria

GRANT AMOUNT

$760

PROGRAM

Mediator Beyond Borders International, Restorative Practice Training

Alexia Gkoritsa

Scholar

Alexia Gkoritsa

Greece

SCHOOL

Geneva Centre for International Dispute Settlement

In this period of my life, I am in search of bringing my academic and professional path to the next level. My main goal is to extend my expertise in the subject of dispute settlement and arbitration, as well as of the substantive law, by the implementation of which such disputes are most frequently resolved, i.e. contract, commercial and private international law, by collaborating with leading individuals in the said areas of expertise. In a few years from now I imagine myself being part of an internationally active law firm or of an accredited institution operating in the above-mentioned fields. In the meantime, I am confident that I will have completed the MIDS LL.M. programme with distinction. I also aspire to combine my professional endeavors with the continuation of my studies at doctoral level, possibly oriented towards the subject of international arbitration and the potential prospect of privatization of the justice system, especially as far as disputes governed by private law are concerned. After all, I have managed to combine my academic and professional pursuits quite successfully so far, therefore I am convinced that I shall continue to do so in the future.

GRANT AMOUNT

$2,000

PROGRAM

LLM MIDS (International Dispute Settlement), Geneva Centre for International Dispute Settlement

Spiros Bat

Scholar

Spiros Bat

Greece

SCHOOL

Geneva Centre for International Dispute Settlement

I aspire to become an exclusively alternative dispute resolution attorney and work solely on mediations and arbitrations. Specifically, I want to become an arbitrator and mediator and handle disputes connected with a variety of sectors including IP, domain name, energy and construction disputes. I am also a member of organizations like mediateguru and Moot Alumni Association, where I work voluntarily to spread social awareness on ADR worldwide and facilitate especially those belonging to the lower social stratifications find an alternative way to claim their right to justice. I have also volunteered as a judge in several moot court competitions, training the younger generations to enhance negotiation and adjudication skills. It is a dream of mine to acquire the knowledge and expertise required to keep participating in workshops and relevant events to teach younger generations on contemporary ADR methods and help them embrace this new legal culture.

GRANT AMOUNT

$2,000

PROGRAM

LLM MIDS (International Dispute Settlement), Geneva Centre for International Dispute Settlement

Saba Mollaian

Scholar

Saba Mollaian

Luxembourg/Switzerland

SCHOOL

Geneva Centre for International Dispute Settlement

Career Goals: Practicing public international law, specializing in state-to-state disputes before international courts and tribunals, such as the WTO, ITLOS and ICJ; mediation between states or between states and non-state actors.

GRANT AMOUNT

$2,000

PROGRAM

LLM MIDS (International Dispute Settlement), Geneva Centre for International Dispute Settlement

Akriti Kataria

Scholar

Akriti Kataria

India/Geneva, Switzerland

SCHOOL

Geneva Centre for International Dispute Settlement

In the next few years, I see myself practicing in a leading international arbitration law firm in Europe, working on complex cross-border disputes using international best practices set against a robust framework. Thereafter, I want to return to India and practice at the Supreme Court of India with a designated senior advocate. This will enable me to assist the highest court of India to render progressive decisions and consequently, prompt the government to effect relevant reforms to make arbitration a truly alternative dispute resolution mechanism.

GRANT AMOUNT

$2,000

PROGRAM

LLM MIDS (International Dispute Settlement), Geneva Centre for International Dispute Settlement

Lynn Moubarak

Scholar

Lynn Moubarak

Lebanon

SCHOOL

New York University

I would like to pursue a career as an international arbitration lawyer in an international law firm. This experience will allow me to deepen my knowledge in international arbitration, including from a Common Law and U.S. perspective. It will also help me deepen my research and analytical skills.

GRANT AMOUNT

$2,000

PROGRAM

LLM International Business Regulation Litigation and Arbitration at New York University

Jennifer Ortiz, Faye Brady, Damany Gordon, Krystal Bariffe, Samantha Pulley, Carol-Newman Rose and Doreen Cunningham

Scholar

Jennifer Ortiz, Faye Brady, Damany Gordon, Krystal Bariffe, Samantha Pulley, Carol-Newman Rose and Doreen Cunningham

Massachusetts, United States

GRANT AMOUNT

$900 per student

PROGRAM

Quabbin Mediation Training Program

Scholar Recipient

2022 Scholarship Recipient

2021 Scholarship Recipient

2020 Scholarship Recipient

2021 Scholarships Totaled $39,605.
2020 Scholarships Totaled $12,463.
The AAA-ICDR Foundation is proud to support the following scholars:
The AAA-ICDR Foundation is proud to support the following scholars:
Mamakiziel Siah Sicarr

Scholar

Mamakiziel Siah Sicarr

Sierra Leone

GRANT AMOUNT

$660

Program

Mediator Beyond Borders International, Restorative Practice Training

Kadiatu Tholley

Scholar

Kadiatu Tholley

Sierra Leone

GRANT AMOUNT

$590

Program

Mediator Beyond Borders International, Restorative Practice Training

Adama Sesay

Scholar

Adama Sesay

Sierra Leone

GRANT AMOUNT

$560

Program

Mediator Beyond Borders International, Restorative Practice Training

Kaltumi Abdulazeez

Scholar

Kaltumi Abdulazeez

Nigeria

GRANT AMOUNT

$760

Program

Mediator Beyond Borders International, Restorative Practice Training

Alexia Gkoritsa

Scholar

Alexia Gkoritsa

Greece

School

Geneva Centre for International Dispute Settlement

In this period of my life, I am in search of bringing my academic and professional path to the next level. My main goal is to extend my expertise in the subject of dispute settlement and arbitration, as well as of the substantive law, by the implementation of which such disputes are most frequently resolved, i.e. contract, commercial and private international law, by collaborating with leading individuals in the said areas of expertise. In a few years from now I imagine myself being part of an internationally active law firm or of an accredited institution operating in the above-mentioned fields. In the meantime, I am confident that I will have completed the MIDS LL.M. programme with distinction. I also aspire to combine my professional endeavors with the continuation of my studies at doctoral level, possibly oriented towards the subject of international arbitration and the potential prospect of privatization of the justice system, especially as far as disputes governed by private law are concerned. After all, I have managed to combine my academic and professional pursuits quite successfully so far, therefore I am convinced that I shall continue to do so in the future.

GRANT AMOUNT

$2,000

Program

LLM MIDS (International Dispute Settlement), Geneva Centre for International Dispute Settlement

Spiros Bat

Scholar

Spiros Bat

Greece

School

Geneva Centre for International Dispute Settlement

I aspire to become an exclusively alternative dispute resolution attorney and work solely on mediations and arbitrations. Specifically, I want to become an arbitrator and mediator and handle disputes connected with a variety of sectors including IP, domain name, energy and construction disputes. I am also a member of organizations like mediateguru and Moot Alumni Association, where I work voluntarily to spread social awareness on ADR worldwide and facilitate especially those belonging to the lower social stratifications find an alternative way to claim their right to justice. I have also volunteered as a judge in several moot court competitions, training the younger generations to enhance negotiation and adjudication skills. It is a dream of mine to acquire the knowledge and expertise required to keep participating in workshops and relevant events to teach younger generations on contemporary ADR methods and help them embrace this new legal culture.

GRANT AMOUNT

$2,000

Program

LLM MIDS (International Dispute Settlement), Geneva Centre for International Dispute Settlement

Saba Mollaian

Scholar

Saba Mollaian

Luxembourg/Switzerland

School

Geneva Centre for International Dispute Settlement

Career Goals: Practicing public international law, specializing in state-to-state disputes before international courts and tribunals, such as the WTO, ITLOS and ICJ; mediation between states or between states and non-state actors.

GRANT AMOUNT

$2,000

Program

LLM MIDS (International Dispute Settlement), Geneva Centre for International Dispute Settlement

Akriti Kataria

Scholar

Akriti Kataria

India/Geneva, Switzerland

School

Geneva Centre for International Dispute Settlement

In the next few years, I see myself practicing in a leading international arbitration law firm in Europe, working on complex cross-border disputes using international best practices set against a robust framework. Thereafter, I want to return to India and practice at the Supreme Court of India with a designated senior advocate. This will enable me to assist the highest court of India to render progressive decisions and consequently, prompt the government to effect relevant reforms to make arbitration a truly alternative dispute resolution mechanism.

GRANT AMOUNT

$2,000

Program

LLM MIDS (International Dispute Settlement), Geneva Centre for International Dispute Settlement

Lynn Moubarak

Scholar

Lynn Moubarak

Lebanon

School

New York University

I would like to pursue a career as an international arbitration lawyer in an international law firm. This experience will allow me to deepen my knowledge in international arbitration, including from a Common Law and U.S. perspective. It will also help me deepen my research and analytical skills.

GRANT AMOUNT

$2,000

Program

LLM International Business Regulation Litigation and Arbitration at New York University

Jennifer Ortiz, Faye Brady, Damany Gordon, Krystal Bariffe, Samantha Pulley, Carol-Newman Rose and Doreen Cunningham

Scholar

Jennifer Ortiz, Faye Brady, Damany Gordon, Krystal Bariffe, Samantha Pulley, Carol-Newman Rose and Doreen Cunningham

Massachusetts, United States

GRANT AMOUNT

$900 per student

Program

Quabbin Mediation Training Program

Apply for the Diversity Scholarship.