The JSA Foundation is a private organization that provides full tuition scholarships to support financially disadvantaged women students at MTSU over the age of 23 who face challenges to completing their academic degrees in fields underrepresented by women. The Foundation was created in 1984 as the legacy of June S. Anderson who served as a professor of Chemistry at MTSU.
To date, $475K have been awarded to Scholars. The Foundation provides full-tuition support for eligible women age 23 and older enrolled at MTSU.
June S Anderson
Founder & Namesake
Dr. June S. Anderson was a scientist, educator, feminist, philanthropist, and the founder of the June S. Anderson Foundation. Dr. Anderson devoted much of her life to improving opportunities for women. Learn More.
Andrienne C. Friedlie
JSA Foundation President
Note from the JSA Foundation President
As I assume leadership of the JSA Foundation after the departure of Dr. Mary Magada-Ward after her 20 years as President and 29 years on the Board, I reflect on my years of service on the Board and as Vice President in partnership with Mary. This very special organization supports scholarships for a relatively small number of high achieving students at MTSU. What is unique about this group of scholarship winners is that they have inspiring stories about overcoming adversity that sometimes break your heart. In short, the JSA Foundation seeks to help financially vulnerable women students over the age of 23 who face major challenges to completing their academic degrees in fields underrepresented by women. Because of their non-traditional backgrounds, they do not have access to some of the scholarships that make an education at MTSU almost cost free for traditional students. That’s where the JSA Foundation comes in, providing full tuition/fee funding, encouragement, and celebration of achievements with direct and personal interactions between supporters and each recipient at the annual luncheon and mentoring to graduation.
I look forward to hearing from supporters, applicants, and alumni as we enter our 5th decade of providing scholarships.
Best,
Andrienne C. Friedlie, JSA Foundation President
Each year, the Foundation supports women at Middle Tennessee State University who are preparing for careers in fields where women remain significantly underrepresented, including political science and STEM-related disciplines. Many scholarship recipients are over the age of 25 and have taken nontraditional paths to graduation—often balancing coursework with work, caregiving responsibilities, or other personal hardships that required stepping away from college, enrolling part-time, or navigating extended timelines to complete their degrees. Learn more about the scholarship eligibility requirements.
The June S. Anderson Foundation Scholarship is available to women age 23 and older who are enrolled at Middle Tennessee State University and pursuing a degree aligned with a nontraditional career field. Applications are open from February–April and Scholars are selected in May each year.
Now through June 30th – We are accepting scholarship applications.
Donations to the June S. Anderson Foundation directly support full-tuition scholarships for women at Middle Tennessee State University. Contributions ensure the continuation and expansion of educational opportunities for adult learners preparing for high-impact careers.
Women continue to be underrepresented in many high-skill, high-wage professions. By supporting women returning to higher education later in life, the June S. Anderson Foundation addresses structural barriers to access and contributes to a more inclusive and representative workforce.
