Hispanic Scholar Program


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Hispanic Scholar Program at Newman University

Read Wichita High School Students Complete Newman University Hispanic Scholar Program (news release Dec. 5, 2007)

The mission of Newman University includes the development of the mind and spirit through providing educational experiences for career enhancement with special regard to persons who are disadvantaged. The Newman Hispanic Scholar Program (NHSP) is designed to motivate Hispanic high school students by using an investigative hands-on integrated approach to help them graduate from high school. It is hoped that the experience of taking classes on a college campus will encourage these students to complete high school and consider enrolling in college. In this manner, college becomes a positive and familiar experience, which ultimately becomes a desirable choice.
Hispanic Scholar Program

The program is offered in response to the national concern about the high secondary school dropout rate for Hispanics compared to other racial or ethnic groups. Because Hispanic students are among the least likely to either graduate from high school or earn a college degree, dropping our foreclosures a lifetime of opportunities, and consequently makes it far more likely that their own children may be placed at risk. NHSP strives to prepare scientifically literate Hispanic citizens by planting dreams of higher education and ultimately a successful career for its participants.

Objectives

To strengthen pre-college science education and address the needs of students during the critical years when concepts and attitudes are developed.
To make science a fun and exciting opportunity through an investigative laboratory approach.
To increase the understanding of the relevance of science to Hispanic students and increase their interest and confidence in learning science through student-centered instructions.
To help students graduate from high school by fostering independent scholarship, originality and competence in science.
To broaden participants' scientific interests and inform them of the need and opportunities for Hispanics in science and health professions.

Format

Partisans selected for NHSP will receive:

Two hours of college credit upon successful completion of the program.
Waiver of tuition costs of $1,178.
A stipend of $100 for the fall semester 2007.
University identification cards, which will enable them to use the University's Dugan Library and Campus Center, learning/computer center and to participate in extra-curricular activities on campus at no charge.

The program will be offered during the fall semester beginning Sept. 5, 2007 and ending on Dec. 3, 2007. Each class will meet once a week on Wednesdays from 4-6 p.m. The program emphasizes an inquiry based, interdisciplinary approach to learning where the discrete disciplines of subject matter are related to one another in a design that matches the developmental needs of the participants and that helps to convert their learning in ways that are relevant to their discovery-oriented projects.

Select a meaningful topic or project from the biological, health or physical sciences. Once selected, instruction is planned around activities that focus on that project.
Conduct a literature search.
Set up laboratory/field experiments.
Collect data.
Analyze results.
Draw conclusions from their findings.
Write a paper in a scientific format.

Participants are also encouraged to present their papers at the annual meeting of the Kansas Junior Academy of Science.

The program faculty, through a one-to-one ongoing discussion rather than traditional lectures, will provide supervision and project background information. Occasional guest speakers will be scheduled to discuss conflict resolution, spirituality, first aid, CPR and career options in science, humanities and health professions.

The program will attempt to track participants' continued enrollment in high school, academic progress in science, graduation from high school and acceptance to an institution of higher education.

Criteria for Selection

Applicants must:

Complete the attached Application for Admission
Include a letter of recommendation from a teacher or counselor
Include a copy of their high school transcript
Write a brief essay explaining their career goals and the reason they should be considered for the Newman Hispanic Scholar Program.

All application materials must be submitted by Aug. 29, 2007 for guaranteed consideration.

Applicants selected to attend the program will be notified about their selection before Sept. 3, 2007. For further information about the program, please contact Dr. Surendra Singh, Program Director or click here (PDF 4,072 KB) for the Program's brochure.