Link to Application
Link to Multicultural
Scholars Program at KU
The
mission of the Multicultural Scholars Program in Social Work is to
increase retention and academic performance of social work students of
color, students with severe financial need, and first generation college
students, with a special interest in transfer students from Haskell
Indian Nations University and community colleges throughout Kansas. The
MSP-SW student scholars are provided with scholarships, skills
development opportunities, leadership training, mentoring by Social Work
faculty, field trip opportunities, shadowing experiences with social
work professionals, and related professional and social activities.
Student Scholars also meet as a group and provide peer support for one
another as they progress in their academic studies.
Students admitted to the Social Work MSP receive:
1. Scholarships ($1,000 per year)
• Renewal based upon academic performance and student activity
2. Monthly Student-Faculty Mentor Meetings
• Academic feedback and planning
• Academic advising
• Time and crisis management
• Financial aid, internship, and job opportunities
• Career exploration
• Other events
3. Mandatory Group Meetings
All MSP students gather during the semester to discuss and plan the
following:
• Networking with students and faculty
• Feedback about academic progress of the group
• Financial aid assistance
• Learning about and appreciating others' cultural backgrounds
These meetings can be offered in conjunction with social work events and
social work student meetings.
4. Special events: guest speakers from and tours of various social work
and social welfare agency settings
MSP students will be expected to attend presentations by guest speakers
from the social work profession, and they will be invited to visit
social welfare agencies in Lawrence other locations in Kansas and
Missouri. Students will also be encouraged to attend local, state, and
national social work conferences.
5. Cultural Events and Meetings
In addition to its focus on academics, the Multicultural Scholars
Programs feature mandatory extra-curricular activities that offer
students diverse cultural experiences. These include: attendance at
theatre, opera, ballet, concerts and other performances; meals with the
group; family, faculty and donor involvement in activities.
Social Work Multicultural Scholars agree to fulfill the following
requirements:
• Full class attendance
• Full attendance at group meetings
• Preparation for and attendance at all meetings with faculty directors
• Commitment to academic discipline
• Maintenance of a minimum 2.5 GPA
Admissions:
Students will apply for Social Work MSP as pre-social work students or
incoming transfer students. Students should have completed at least 30
credit hours and applied to the social work program. All students in the
program will be first generation college students, students with high
financial need, and/or African-, Asian-, Hispanic-American, and
Indigenous students. The directors will look especially for transfer
students who will face a significant shift in coming to KU.
Application process: Applications will be reviewed on the basis of
academic performance at the high school and college levels, with a
minimum 2.5 GPA; ACT, PCAT, and other standardized test scores; evidence
of community involvement; commitment to the social work profession; and
quality of a written essay. Deadline for priority consideration for Fall
2007 is March 16, 2007. Materials should be sent to Lori Messinger,
School of Social Welfare, 1545 Lilac Lane, University of Kansas,
Lawrence, KS 66044.
Faculty who serve as mentors for Social Work MSP students are Dr. Lori
Messinger, BSW Director and Assistant Professor, and Dr. Woochan Shim,
Assistant Professor.
Link to Application
Link to Multicultural
Scholars Program at KU
