Academic programs focus on college readiness
Released: June 24, 2004
In an effort to expand opportunities and promote the success of first-generation and low-income students in Wisconsin, the office of Academic Support Services at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater offers several pre-college to graduate-level programs that nurture talent and prepare students for academic success. These programs serve nearly 800 students annually.
One program designed to prepare first-generation and multicultural students for doctoral study and eventual careers as college professors is the McNair Scholars program. This program matches each student with a faculty mentor in their major, enhances students’ skills in research methodology, provides students with opportunities to present research at national conferences and support for summer research institutes at major universities.
The McNair Scholars program is a two-year program open to 25 select UW-Whitewater juniors and seniors. These students have demonstrated academic excellence as King/Chavez scholars throughout their freshman and sophomore years.
As juniors, McNair scholars participate in a six-week summer research experience at UW-Whitewater where they individually gather research on the topic of their choice, as well as collaborate with other McNair scholars for an assigned group research project. As seniors, McNair scholars participate in a summer research internship at a research center. This summer, students have internships ranging from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, University of Iowa, University of Illinois – Chicago, Michigan State University, University of California – Davis and University of Hawaii – Manoa. McNair scholars also attend fall and spring lecture series throughout the academic year.
“This program provides McNair scholars with valuable exposure to research and provides them with the opportunity to made valuable connections with college professors,” said Richard McGregory, McNair Scholars program director. “Our ultimate goal is to expose talented students to careers in higher education.”
Academic Support Services also recognizes the challenges students face when making the transition from high school to college. To help ease this transition for incoming freshman, several different college transition programs are offered, including: the College Transition Program, the King/Chavez Scholars Seminar and the Fresh Start Summer Initiative.
College Transition Program, June 21-25
The College Transition Program is designed to provide academic support services to students who are first generation, low income, and/or learning/physically challenged. The program takes a holistic approach in addressing students’ needs, and provides a comprehensive array of activities and services to assist students in retention and graduation.
Students entering the College Transition Program attend a weeklong summer seminar where they register for classes and participate in career enhancement and cultural enrichment activities.
King/Chavez Scholars Seminar, July 11-15
The King/Chavez Scholars Seminar is designed to attract and retain exceptional undergraduate scholars at UW-Whitewater. The seminar specifically works to prepare students for the transition from high school to college by providing a peer group for academic and social reinforcement. The program also provides students with the opportunity to develop early relationships with a faculty mentor and introduces them to undergraduate research and its relationship to classroom and career performance.
This first- and second-year program begins with a comprehensive, five-day summer residential experience at UW-Whitewater, where students participate in academic seminars, career enhancement activities and social and cultural enrichment activities. Upon completion of summer orientation, King/Chavez scholars then participate in fall and spring semester seminars in which they investigate critical issues and develop undergraduate research projects under the guidance of faculty mentors. Based on the quality of these research projects, scholars will also have the opportunity to attend various academic conferences. Many King/Chavez scholars transition to McNair scholars.
Fresh Start Summer Initiative, July 18-25
In its first year, the Fresh Start Summer Initiative will identify 30-50 incoming freshman in the lower quartile to participate in a one-week summer residential transition program. Students participating in this program will develop an individual education plan, select courses for the academic year, participate in an academic advising session, complete service requirements, academic assessment and testing.
According to McGregory, the goal of Fresh Start is to help students successfully transition from high school to college, help build a strong academic foundation for college study and help retain students during the first year of college.
Students involved in the program will also participate in fall and spring semester seminars with graduate student coordinators who will monitor the progress of 10-15 students during each semester. Seminars will cover topics such as planning for financial success, physical fitness for a sustained lifestyle, civic and community involvement and philosophical and spiritual guidance.
For more information on any of the pre-college, college transition, college support or graduate/professional programs, contact Academic Support Services at (262) 472-4985.
- Melissa DiMotto,dimottom@uww.edu
