The NRPA Edroy Jenkins Scholarship is awarded annually to two or more continuing education students who have successfully completed the first year of NRPA Directors School and need financial assistance to attend their second year. The scholarship covers tuition, which is $1000 (or partial tuition — based on the amount of funds raised in the current cycle) for two or more second-year students to attend NRPA Directors School.   

The scholarship was created in 2010 by NRPA Directors School students in attendance at Directors School. They held a fundraiser to support second-year students with tuition assistance beginning in 2012. Subsequently, each Directors School second-year class has organized a fundraiser for the ongoing support of the scholarship. The scholarship is overseen by a nonprofit board consisting of past graduates of the NRPA Directors School. It was named in honor of Edroy Jenkins, who exemplified the spirit and ambition the scholarship intends to perpetuate and honor. Edroy Jenkin was from a remote area in New Jersey that did not pay for training or attending conferences. He showed his commitment to professional development by taking a second job for the sole purpose of paying to attend NRPA Directors School and used his only vacation during those two years to attend. This scholarship honors and hopes to further his long-standing determination to leadership development in the parks and recreation community.  

Eligibility  

Eligible applicants include individuals who have registered and been accepted to attend the second year of NRPA Directors School, a record of pursuing professional development in field of the parks and recreation, future leadership goals and objectives in the parks and recreation community, and a need for financial assistance to attend.  

Specific eligibility criteria include:  

• Successfully completed the first year of NRPA Directors School  
• Registered and accepted to attend the second year of NRPA Directors School 

Student scholarships for Year 1 and Year 2, which cover tuition only ($1000) are available through the generosity of The Toro Company and The Toro Foundation. 

Eligibility/Guidelines
Applicant must be a current director, assistant/deputy director or mid-level manager being groomed for director of a park and recreation agency, municipal agency or nonprofit. 

Successful Applicants will 

• Demonstrate a strong commitment to improving operations and maximizing positive impacts on communities. 
• Describe how the training will contribute to providing improved communities for underserved populations*. 
• *Underserved Populations Definition - For the purpose of this application, an underserved community refers to vulnerable populations, including community of color, ethnic minorities, new Americans, LGBTQ+ individuals, individuals with physical or cognitive disabilities, low-income, rural, tribal, and indigenous populations that may be disproportionately experiencing degraded environmental quality, poor health outcomes, high stress, and/or social isolation.