Mary Jane Patterson Teachers for Urban Schools Scholarship
The Mary Jane Patterson Teachers for Urban Schools Scholarship ("Patterson Scholars")
In 1862, Mary Jane Patterson (1840 – 1894) was the first African American woman to earn a bachelor’s degree from an established four-year college in the United States. A daughter of fugitive slaves, Patterson became a teacher at the age of 22 in Philadelphia at the Institute for Colored Youth. By age 31, she had become principal at the nation’s first public high school for Black students, Preparatory High School for Colored Youth, located in Washington D.C. Throughout her career, Mary Jane Patterson exemplified excellence, leadership, and a commitment to high quality education in the historical context of a segregated society.
The Mary Jane Patterson Scholarship was established in 2019 as part of the Teachers for Urban Schools Project for students enrolled in a teacher education program at CSULB who are interested in teaching in urban classrooms and working with Black students who have so much to offer, but who continue to face anti-Black practices and institutional racism. If you desire to be a teacher and serve as a role model for Black youth AND you are a CSULB undergraduate/transfer with 60+ units OR if you already hold a bachelor's degree, you can apply!
Apply now for Fall 2026
Deadline: June 8, 2026 at 5:00pm
Click here to start your application
2026-2027 Mary Jane Patterson Scholarship Information Sessions
Are you interested in learning more about the Mary Jane Patterson scholarship for CSULB students who want to become effective and inspirational Black teachers for urban public schools?
Click here to RSVP for one of our upcoming Zoom informational sessions
- Friday, May 8th from 3:00pm-4:00pm
- Tuesday, May 19th from 5:00pm-6:00pm
- Saturday, May 23rd from 9:00am-10:00am
Please contact the Student Success and Advising Center, at ced-tpac@csulb.edu / (562) 985-1105 for more information.
