Cheryl Collins Legacy Scholarship

The Cheryl Collins Legacy Scholarship was established in 2022 to advance professional growth of the individual and the Kansas museum community. It is named in memory of Cheryl Collins, longtime Director of the Riley County Historical Museum in Manhattan and steadfast supporter of the Kansas Museums Association.

Scholarship Purpose

This scholarship provides funds to cover professional development expenses for KMA members who are interested in developing skills in leadership, administration, or supervision for personal and professional benefit. 

Eligible professional museum career training opportunities include pre-existing training available through local, state and or national programs.  Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Chambers of Commerce
• Kansas Tourism
• American Association for State and Local History (AASLH)
• Training on specific computer programs 

Scholarship amount: up to $500

**The Cheryl Collins Legacy Scholarship Application is closed for 2025.  We anticipate reopening it in April 2026.**

Application Information

Eligibility: The scholarship is open to current individual and those associated with a current museum member of KMA, including board members.  Your membership must be current by June 1st BEFORE you submit your application.  If you are not a current member at the time you apply, your application will not be considered.

Scholarship period: Expenditures must be completed within eighteen months from the date the scholarship is awarded.

Allowed expenses: Course registration, travel, lodging and meals.  Applicant must be a member of the organization providing the training so that they may qualify for the member rate (if applicable.)  No other cost share is required.  The funds cannot be applied toward the purchase of commodities, such as software, etc.

Application Information Needed

• Application (must be submitted electronically)
• Letter of support (see application for submission instructions)
• Budget outline (see application for submission instructions)

Scholarship Requirements

The recipient will be expected to pay it forward by sharing their experience with the KMA community. Options for doing this include, but are not limited to:

• A presentation or round table discussion at the annual conference - contact Scholarship Chair for more information OR
• An article in the KMA newsletter: Write a short (300-500 word) article about your professional development opportunity to share with the KMA membership. These articles can be sent directly to the Assistant Director.  Recipients are asked to attach a photo of themselves (a snapshot is fine) which may be included in the newsletter, encouraging members to connect faces and names. 

Contact: For questions about the Cheryl Collins Legacy Scholarship please contact the KMA Scholarship Chair, who will serve as the facilitator, via email.

Previous Recipients