2022 Pottsie Scholarship
closed March 25, 2022
The AAPRA commits to promote, nourish, and embody an inclusive and equitable environment, strengthen our commitment to promote justice, equity, diversity and inclusion, combat systemic and structural racism, and promote a culture of equality for all, through our knowledge advancement, research, education, and scholarly efforts.
The American Parks & Recreation Foundation provided two John C. Potts Leadership Development Scholarships for the 2022 NRPA Directors School. The scholarships cover tuition only. The two-year Directors School program is designed to prepare new and potential directors for the challenges of leading and managing effectively. "Pottsie" scholarships are awarded to aspiring agency/department directors who have demonstrated leadership potential in their organizations. The American Parks & Recreation Foundation gives strong consideration to candidates from agencies that lack the financial resources to apply to Year One of the Directors School. However, the agency must commit to financially support the scholarship winner to attend Year Two of the Directors School.
“Pottsie” Leadership Development Scholarships, honor the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration’s former Executive Director, John C. Potts. Your nomination must be supported by a current member of the American Academy for Park & Recreation Administration or by a graduate of the Directors School. Eligible applicants must be a current member of NRPA. The scholarship is intended to support professional-agency directors or superintendents or assistant/deputy directors and mid-level managers who desire to be agency directors. Applicants should have demonstrated leadership and management potential within their organizations toward their goal of being an agency director.
Scholarship awards will prioritize candidates:
To apply for a "Pottsie" scholarship, complete an on-line application no later than March 25, 2022.
Required Materials to be submitted through the online application:
Tede Price, Lee's Summit Parks & Recreation, MO Cortney Weinstock, Baltimore County Parks & Recreation, MD
"As a new Deputy Director with only 9 months experience in my position, having the opportunity to attend NRPA Directors School was incredibly impactful. Networking with professionals from across the country and having the opportunity to learn from our industry's leading practitioners and consultants was inspiring. I walked into this experience with anxious excitement, not knowing what to expect and left with a toolbox full of resources and 90+ new connections, friends and an energized perspective that made for a truly invaluable experience. I am beyond grateful to have been awarded the American Parks & Recreation Foundation John C. Potts Leadership Development Scholarship." Cortney Weinstock, 2022 Pottsie Scholarship Winner Deputy Director, Baltimore County Parks & Recreation, MD
"I was honored to be a recent recipient of the Pottsie Scholarship for 2022 NRPA Directors School. I am grateful to the American Parks & Recreation Foundation (APRF) for the John C. Potts Leadership Development Scholarship selection. The Directors School was one of the best schools I’ve attended. I was able to network with like minded professionals. The sessions were valuable and addressed many of the challenges my department currently faces. It was great to be able to discuss relevant topics and make connections with Parks professionals whom I will continue to reach out to in the future. Thank you again APRF for this opportunity, allowing me to continue growing in this profession."
Tede Price, 2022 Pottsie Scholarship Winner Superintendent of Administration, Lee's Summit Parks & Recreation, MO
Amanda Creque, Cleveland Metroparks, OH Kelsey Heiden, New Braunfels Parks & Recreation, TX Josh Hendricks, Bloomingdale Park District, IL Eileen Ramirez, Crestwood Parks & Recreation, MO
A message from Amanda Creque, Cleveland Metroparks, OH
"NRPA Directors School was amazing. I met many new colleagues, and learned many new strategies to assist my parks and recreation department and in general throughout Oregon and the U.S.'' Jeanne Sprague, 2020 Pottsie Scholarship Winner Jeanne Sprague Lincoln City Parks & Recreation Lincoln City, OR
Jeanne Sprague's video thanking the Academy Foundation https://youtu.be/sllnheO6qr4