Lex Hester Memorial Scholarship Review Committee

The Lex Hester Memorial Scholarship Review Committee was created by Ordinance 2002-671-E and Executive Order 2018-03 in memory of former City of Jacksonville Chief Administrative Officer, Lewis Alexander (Lex) Hester. The committee is charged with disbursing funds from the interest earned on the trust fund account to deserving and qualified University of North Florida students seeking careers in public administration. The Lex Hester Endowed Fellowship for Public Administration is a competitive award to an outstanding student in the University of North Florida MPA program. The scholarship is posted at https://www.unf.edu/coas/pspa/MPA/Scholarships.aspx.
 

Committee Members

  • Sam Mousa, Chief Administrative Officer, City of Jacksonville - chair
  • Tracey Hester Flynn, Hester family member
  • James Croft, Assistant Director of Public Affairs, City of Jacksonville
  • Dr. Charles Moreland, Director of Community Affairs, City of Jacksonville
  • Kristen Reed, Chief of Community Planning, Planning & Development Department, City of Jacksonville
  • Shari Shuman, Vice President of Administration & Finance, University of North Florida
Committee Staff: Marlene Russell, (904) 255-5010, MarleneR@coj.net

Meeting Information

 

Meeting Date

Documents
Oct. 23, 2018 10-23-18 Notice, 10-23-18 Agenda & Minutes
Jan. 25, 2019 1-25-19 Notice, 1-25-19 Agenda & Minutes
April 10, 2019 4-10-19 Notice, 4-10-19 Agenda & Minutes

Scholarship Application Process

To be eligible for the scholarship, all applicants must complete the online form below, including an essay response to the provided questions and a letter of recommendation. All submissions will be evaluated by the Lex Hester Memorial Scholarship Review Committee, who will provide award recommendations to the Mayor. The scholarship must be used for tuition and fee expenses only for the Master of Public Administration Program at the University of North Florida. There will be no reimbursement of residual funds.

This round of applications will be accepted from Aug. 1 to Sept. 30, 2019.

Requirements

The following criteria shall be used in evaluating candidates for Scholarship awards (Executive Order No. 2018-03):
  • Submission of a complete and timely application from applicants seeking an award.
  • Current residence in Duval County.
  • Acceptance into, or current enrollment in, the Master of Public Administration Program at the University of North Florida.
  • A 3.0 GPA or higher as an undergraduate student or as a current graduate student.
  • Submission of responses (in essay form) to written questions, including: Why the course of study was chosen; why public service is important; why public administration studies are important; why the Scholarship is important.

Scholarship Application

Applicant Information
Check the box to confirm that you are a resident of Duval County.
Upload a document that proves your Duval County residency (Example: Lease agreement, electric bill or driver's license)
Check the box if you intend to pursue a career in public administration.
Check the box to certify that you will not be receiving tuition reimbursement from your employer or any other entity.
Check the box if you agree to provide proof of acceptance, or current enrollment in, the UNF MPA program at the time of scholarship award. *Awardees must show proof at time of scholarship acceptance.
Check the box if you were previously received a Lex Hester Memorial Scholarship award.
*If applicable

Reference Information
(Optional)

Essay Response
Upload a written response in essay format (.doc) to the following questions:

Why did you choose this course of study?
Why is public service important?
Why are public administration studies important?
Why is the Scholarship important?
By checking this box, the applicant authorizes the City of Jacksonville the permission to verify all information included in this application, including GPA and residency information. Applicants who refuse to grant information confirmation access to the City of Jacksonville will be ineligible.
Security code:



* Please note that under Florida's broad public records laws, electronic communications to city officials such as this online application are subject to public disclosure.