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Changing Minds: Structural Components and Framework of the Meyerhoff Scholars Program & Meyerhoff Graduate Fellows Program. University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) LaMont F. Toliver, Director Meyerhoff Scholars Program Justine M. Johnson, Assistant Director
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Changing Minds:Structural Components and Framework of the Meyerhoff Scholars Program & Meyerhoff Graduate Fellows Program University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) LaMont F. Toliver, Director Meyerhoff Scholars Program Justine M. Johnson, Assistant Director Meyerhoff Graduate Fellows Program
Outline • Program History • Barriers of Success • Structural Components • Indicators of Success • Conclusion
UMBC Profile • Midsize public university - Founded in 1966 11,650 students (9,406 U and 2,244 G) • 35% minority enrollment (Black 14%, Asian 17%, Hispanic & Native American 4%) • 1391 Freshmen SAT (top quartile) • 41% of students in STEM fields • Awarded 81 Ph.D’s in 2006 • What are we known for?
Meyerhoff Scholars Program • Founders and Purpose • Milestones of 1989, 1991 and 1995 • …now open to all high-achieving high school seniors who have an interest in pursuing doctoral study in the sciences or engineering, and who are interested in the advancement of minorities in the sciences and related fields. • Growth in Numbers
07-08 Program Demographics Freshman Class Current Program Demographics
Barriers of Success • Fear of disapproval or rejection by Peers • Perceived hostile or unsupportive environment • Inadequate socialization to the attitudinal and behavioral demands of the Academy • Specific gaps in knowledge and skill development • Limited exposure to models of academic excellence and scholarly practice • Overall low expectations • Financial aid
Structural Components • Recruitment • Financial Aid • Summer Bridge Program • Tutoring • Summer Research Internships • Faculty Involvement and Commitment • Peer Study Groups • Program Values • Sense of Community • Personal Advisement & Counseling
The Meyerhoff Graduate Fellows Program • Began in 1996 with an MBRS-IMSD grant from NIH with two students - one in Chemistry and one in Psychology • There are currently 47 fellows in the program and 15 students have completed the Ph.D. or MD/Ph.D. • … open to all who have an interest in pursuing doctoral study in the biomedical or behavioral sciences, and who are interested in the advancement of minorities in the sciences and related fields. • Retention rate of the program is 75%
Program Demographics Incoming Class Fall 2007 Ph.D’s Awarded by Program
Meyerhoff Graduate Structural Components • Salary Support and Health Benefits • Summer Bridge Program • Tutoring • Monthly Research Meetings • Minority Speaker Series • Travel to National Conferences • Supply Funding for Mentor Labs • Annual Retreat • Sense of Community • Personal Advisement & Counseling • Support through Degree Completion
Indicators of Success • Retention • Academic Performance • Impact on University • Graduate Placement • Graduate Program Completion
Conclusion • Administrative Support • Faculty/Departmental Involvement • Bridge Program • Sense of Community & Identity • High Expectations
Change Minds by. . . • Faculty have to care more than others is wise • Administrators have to risk more than others think is safe • University has to dare more than others think is practical • Students have to dream more than others think is possible
Mr. T, Please change the MD number to 98. Mike Finally “If It takes an entire Village. . .” Administrative Academic Social
Acknowledgements • Freeman Hrabowski, PhD • Robert and Jane Meyerhoff • Michael F. Summers, PhD • UMBC Community • Meyerhoff Program Staff • Meyerhoff Scholars & Fellows Special thanks to National Human Genome Research Institute
Contact Information • Meyerhoff Scholars Program LaMont F. Toliver Toliver@umbc.edu www.umbc.edu/meyerhoff 410.455.3139 office 410.455.1281 fax • Meyerhoff Graduate Fellows Program Justine M. Johnson or Michael F. Summers, Ph.D. j.johnson@umbc.edu or summers@hhmi.umbc.edu www.umbc.edu/meyerhoff/Graduate 410.455.3124 office 410.455.1174 fax