Scholarships

The Robert Presley Student Scholarship Fund

In 2019 as a tribute to Senator Robert Presley’s legacy, our community came together to establish a student fund to help train the next generation of criminal justice policy leaders and change makers. Generous donations have made it possible to invest in our students, who are eager to make their mark on the criminal justice system and hard at work preparing for their careers through specialized trainings, hands-on learning, and research opportunities.

The Presley Center helps prepare UCR students for the next chapter of their lives by awarding scholarships to justice-impacted students, providing paid internships, awarding research fellowships to students committed to justice research, and hosting events for students to engage with the justice system’s broader research and policy dialogue, among other opportunities.

The call for applications is typically issued in the Fall. Please check back in September for updates. 

If you are interested in making a tax-deductible donation to the Robert Presley Endowed Scholarship Fund, please visit our crowdfunding page.

Scholarship Recipients

2025–26

UCR School of Public Policy logo placeholder for Robert Lozano.

Robert Lozano

2nd Year, Business Administration & Law and Society


2024–25

Melissa Cox headshot.

Melissa Cox

4th Year, Department of Political Science

Ryan Uribe headshot.

Ryan Uribe

4th Year, School of Public Policy

UCR School of Public Policy logo.

Genevieve Silva

5th Year, Department of Sociology


2023–24

Anna Azanon headshot.

Anna Azanon

3rd Year, Global Studies

Kimberly Bermudez headshot.

Kimberly Bermudez

3rd Year, Liberal Studies

Jofama Coleman headshot.

Jofama Coleman

3rd Year, Public Policy


2022–23

Merisa Duran headshot.

Merisa Duran

4th Year, Psychology

Bennie McGhee headshot.

Bennie McGhee

4th Year, African American Studies

Jameelah Gonzalez headshot.

Jameelah Gonzalez

3rd Year, Economics

Greg Sanchez headshot.

Greg Sanchez

4th Year, History


2021–22

Jesus Avitia headshot.

Jesus Avitia

4th Year, Business Administration

Doris Fong headshot.

Doris Fong

1st Year, Economics

UCR School of Public Policy logo.

Kimberly Burdette

4th Year, Sociology


2020–21

Dyanna Casteneda Policarpio headshot.

Dyanna Casteneda Policarpio

4th Year, Political Science & English

Bibiana Elena Canales headshot.

Bibiana Elena Canales

3rd Year, Ethnic Studies & Sustainability Studies

Carlos Cruz headshot.

Carlos Cruz

Ph.D. Student, History