Taken from the NSCS website,

What is Integrity and Why Does It Matter?

Integrity refers to honesty in all personal, professional and academic endeavors.

Integrity matters because it’s at the foundation of any successful community. Without integrity, a leader cannot engender trust. Without integrity, academic accomplishments are almost meaningless. Without integrity, service to one’s community is hollow.

That’s why we consider it the foundation of our pillars of Scholarship, Leadership and Service.

NSCS’ integrity initiative was inspired by a national ethics project created by The Association of College Honor Societies, which serves as an accrediting agency for honor societies.

NSCS is tying integrity to everything it does. Here are the various segments of our Integrity Initiative:

· Scholarships: NSCS will award up to three integrity scholarships to members who have displayed integrity when confronting an ethical dilemma. More information can be found here.

· “I Stand for Integrity” Day: NSCS has designated April 9 to celebrate this day at NSCS chapters across the nation. Click here to learn more.

· Inspire Integrity Awards: These annual awards recognize professors who instill integrity in their students. This is the only national student-nominated faculty award that recognizes professors for their contributions to integrity. Click here to learn more.

I have to say, I was on the judging panel for this award and it was a great experience to witness. Each applicant took the time and dedication to apply and I want to recognize all of you as well.  Unfortunatly, there could only be one winner and Jin Lee from the University of Pennsylvania went above and beyond with everything. Congratualtions!

I also want to congratulate Katie Mize, because this would have been impossible without her and I believe that she did a great job in organizing everything that went into the exemplary scholar award

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Jin Lee, an NSCS member at the University of Pennsylvania, is the 2008 recipient of the Exemplary Scholar Award.

Jin’s essays, recommendation and video in combination, made her application the strongest, according to the judging panel.

She will receive a $500 scholarship, a plaque and recognition on the NSCS Web site.

The Exemplary Scholar Award was started three years ago by The National Leadership Council, NSCS’ student council. The award recognizes one outstanding well-rounded NSCS member.

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In conjunction with the National Leadership Council’s ongoing academic integrity initiative, NSCS has created INTEGRITY Scholarship for members. Proceeds from the sale of INTEGRITY merchandise contribute to this scholarship fund.

NSCS will award three $1,000 scholarships, one each to the three members who demonstrate a true commitment to integrity through a series of short answer questions describing a time when their integrity has been challenged.

Eligibility
NSCS members working towards an undergraduate or graduate degree

Key Dates
Application Opens: February 8, 2008
Application Closes: March 15, 2008
Notification Date: April 9, 2008

Integrity Award: March 15, 2008

Early Convention Registration ($199): March 7, 2008

Go to www.nscs.org to apply!

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Being part of the NLC requires everyone to create an initiative to work on for the year. My initiative as VP for Member Experience is keeping the members connected with the national office and that is why I created this blog. I use it as a means of communication for members to know what is going on with scholarships and other things. Every month, Thanh, the VP of Internal Affairs gathers all of our initiatives to keep members updated on what we are doing. Below is a copy of January updates. I have decided that it is important for members to know what is going on with us so I will be placing updates every month. If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact me at vega@nscs.org

The VP for PFCS is currently working with the National Office staff in the launch of the PFCS webinar videos & with a graphic designer in regards to the PFCS calendar. He is figuring out how to distribute the calendars to all the chapters.

The VP for Recognition is working with her counterpart at the office and makes frequent trips there in regard to her Exemplary Scholarship. Since NSCS had a 300 percent increase in completed applications from last year, the VP for Recognition definitely has her work cut out for her.

Equally encouraging is the Outreach Board. The Executive VP is organizing his conference call, and the VP for Member Representations are focused on their own individualized initiatives that span from a presentation/regional board report to checking e-mails and corresponding with chapters in regard to campus-wide initiatives.

The VP for Non-Traditional Student is currently trying to get in contact with her staff counterpart to get things situated. Updates will probably be listed later on.

It is that time of year again! Registration for the NSCS leadership and convention has NOW BEGUN!!

Speaking  from experience, I believe that the convention is an awesome and beneficial experience for everyone who is a part of NSCS. You get to meet so many exciting people, network with graduate schools and employers, and learn about why NSCS is such a great society. I have not met one person, who has has a bad experience! Everyone should attend Right now the price is set for $199 until March 7, 2008. From then on the price will increase depending on when you register.

Have you heard the best news yet, It is in DISNEY WORLD

The convention is taking place at a Disney Resort named Coronado Springs and is located in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. If you wish to stay at the Coronado Springs, it is an extra charge as everyone is in charge of their own accommodations.  There is a special price for NSCS members to stay at the Coronado Springs for $135 a night

Fore more information check out the Convention website

If you have any questions, email me at vega@nscs.org

This is a date that has been set aside so that the local chapter officers and their members can celebrate and thank their advisors for their dedication to this organization. On this day make an effort to stop by your advisors office with a thank you card. Other ideas include calling or emailing them to say thanks. You can become creative and bake a cake or cookies for them as a way of saying thank you. Other ideas include taking them out to lunch where you can get to know them outside of their “Advisor role.”Get to know them and how they became to feel so passionate about NSCS. Remember that a little bit can go a long way. If it was not for them, who else would be there to support such an amazing NSCS TEAM

SAVE THE DATE AND SAY THANKS!

2/6/08

If you went to the convention and checked out the NLC’s Integrity workshop then you are aware of all the Integrity entails. Rudy (VP for Integrity) and the NLC are pleased to announce that the Integrity scholarship is now available. THREE $1,000 scholarships will be given. Login to NSCS now and apply!! It is a great oppertunity for you to tell us your story

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From  the website,

In conjunction with the National Leadership Council’s ongoing academic integrity initiative, NSCS has created a new INTEGRITY Scholarship for members. Proceeds from the sale of INTEGRITY wristbands will contribute to this scholarship fund.

NSCS will award three $1,000 scholarships, one each to the three members who demonstrate a true commitment to integrity through a series of short answer questions describing a time when their integrity has been challenged. All NSCS members working towards an undergraduate or graduate degree are eligible to apply. Deadline March 15, 2008.

If you have any questions you can email me at vega@nscs.org or Rudy at Becerra@nscs.org

www.nscs.org

Tell me what you think?

Welcome back and I hope that everyone had a great holiday season. It is time to get back into the swing of things and I have already started my Spring semester I wish all of you the best of luck in your new term and in this upcoming year.

I would like to remind you of some deadlines for scholarships. Inspire Integrity is DUE IN FOUR DAYS!

• Inspire Integrity Award is DUE: January 15, 2008. This award entails nominating a faculty that goes above and beyond to promote integrity. The winner of the award will receive an award as well as the NSCS member who nominated them ($1,000). There are only about 4 days left!!! For more information click here http://nscs.org/scholarships/inspireintegrity.cfm
• Ernest & Young Book Scholarship DUE: THURSDAY January 31, 2008. You only have to be an active NSCS member and the money can only be used for this term. There is a good amount of money being given and it is a great opportunity for all NSCS member. There is about two weeks left until the deadline so check the application out at http://nscs.org/scholarships/eybook.cfm
• Scholar Abroad Scholarship for Summer 2008 is DUE: February 15, 2008. You have to be an active NSCS member, attend the program in the summer of 2008, be accepted into the program and the program must be accredited. There is still time to apply for this scholarship, so take advantage by finding the application at http://nscs.org/scholarships/scholarabroad.cfm
• Scholar of Sea is DUE : February 15, 2008. See some posts below this one, because I had the opportunity to talk about it and everything that it entails. For further information check out, http://nscs.org/scholarships/scholaratsea.cfm
• 2008 GEICO Achievement Award is DUE : February 15, 2008. The winner will receive $1,000 from GEICO. To apply you must have a sophomore or junior standing, minimum of 3.0 GPA, active in your campus/community and as an NSCS member and be majoring in Business, Mathematics, computer science or a related field. For more information and the application check out http://nscs.org/scholarships/geico-achievement.cfm

Once more scholarships become available I will remind you of their deadlines. If you need anything or would like me to include anything to announce to other members just email me at vega@nscs.org

What is The Exemplary Scholar Award?

The National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS) Exemplary Scholar Award was created by the NSCS National Leadership Council (NLC) to recognize outstanding undergraduates among the NSCS membership for their high academic achievement as well as additional scholarly pursuits outside of the classroom. The award finalists and winner will have a demonstrated passion for their work and activities as well as a balance between, school, community service, leadership and other extra-curricular involvement.

What does the recipient receive?

1. National recognition as one of the most outstanding members of NSCS, including:

•  Press release to campus newspapers
•  Press release to hometown newspapers
•  Letter to University President
•  Announcement and recognition on NSCS Web site
•  Announcement at NSCS Convention 2008 in Orlando, FL
•  Announcement at NSCS chapter meeting

1.  An inscribed plaque
2.  $500 scholarship

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Its holiday season and if you’re looking to buy someone a present, look no further than the NSCS store Check out the store at http://www.mssfulfillment.com/nscs/products/index.php

Also, there are some discounts available to you at

• WWW.OVERSTOCK.COM - 8% off purchase at Overstock
• WWW.BN.COM – 5%  off purchase at Barnes & Nobles

To take advantage of the discounts make sure you sign into your NSCS account and click on the tab at the top that says MEMBER BENEFITS.

Enjoy!

If  you have any questions don’t hesitate to email me at vega@nscs.org