About Us
Our Mission
ONIA’s mission is to encourage and assist all Western Carolina University (WCU) students to apply for major national and international scholarships and fellowships and in the process to help all applicants develop self-awareness, improve writing and critical thinking skills, and create a vision for their future as leaders and innovators.
ONIA is committed to providing equitable access to information about national and international scholarships and fellowship opportunities to all WCU students. We regularly hold information sessions open to all students, actively reach out to academic departments and student groups, as well as engage in direct outreach to students.
ONIA is committed to promoting scholarship and fellowship opportunities that are accessible to applicants from all backgrounds. When opportunities are limited to a particular applicant pool by eligibility criteria (e.g. US citizenship) we actively seek to provide alternative opportunities whenever possible.
Finally, ONIA is committed to the principle that the application process itself is a noble endeavor that prepares students for life after graduation. Despite the outcome of the scholarship application, ONIA is committed to mentoring and encouraging students to reflect about their values and goals and assist whenever possible in articulating their post-graduate plans and future professional careers.
Our Staff
Director
Dr. Ingrid Bego is an Associate Professor of Political Science and the Director of
International Studies Program at Western Carolina University. She earned her Bachelor’s
Degree triple majoring in Political Science, German, and Spanish from Washburn University.
She then went on to earn an MA and PhD in Political science from Washington State
University. Her research focuses on issues of democratization, gender and politics,
global governance and public policy. . Her book, “Gender Equality Policy in the European
Union,” was published by Palgrave in 2015 and she is currently working on finishing
her second book project with Routledge examining the role of gender on executive appointments
in post-Communist Central and Eastern Europe.
ONIA Council
ONIA Council Members help identify candidates and, as needed, mentor candidates for national and international awards. Typically, ONIA Council Members:
- Direct potential candidates to meet with the ONIA Director.
- Forward information from ONIA to potential awards candidates.
- As needed, review draft application materials for revision / improvement.
- As needed, help in mock interviews.
- Regularly meet to provide direction for ONIA.
For more information on ONIA Council Members or to become one, please contact Dr. Ingrid Bego.
ONIA Council Members, 2022-2023
Risto Atanasov
Department Head and Associate Professor, Mathematics and Computer Science
Christopher Cooper
Robert Lee Madison Distinguished Professor, Political Science
Mary Fischer
Associate Director, Advising Center
Jill Granger
Dean, Honors College
Luiz Felipe Lima Da Silveira
Assistant Professor, Biology
Wes Milner
Director, International Programs and Services
Theresa Cruz Paul
Director, Center for Career and Professional Development
Brian Railsback
Professor, English
Ben Steere
Director, Cherokee Studies, and Associate Professor of Anthropology and Sociology
John Whitmire
Associate Professor, Philosophy and Religion
Bill Yang
Professor, College of Engineering and Technology