Applications for 2008-2009 are due to Nunemaker Center by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, April 4, 2008.

Established in 1992, the Dean's Scholars Program is designed to reach out to academically talented undergraduate students in KU's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences who are interested in pursuing graduate study in a discipline represented by the College, and are from groups traditionally underrepresented in graduate education. Eligible students include those who would contribute to the diversity of our graduate education programs. Factors for consideration are enumerated in the University of Kansas Policy on Diversity of the Student Body.

The Dean's Scholars enter the two-year program as juniors or seniors from the University of Kansas. The main focus of this program is to involve students in research and scholarship in preparation for graduate study, and to provide students with intellectual and pragmatic guidance. The ultimate goal of this program is to diversify the talent pool of available faculty for colleges and universities in the next decade.

Program Components:

Mentoring: The program matches each Scholar with a distinguished member of the University of Kansas faculty. The inclusion of faculty as mentors in the program is based on recommendations from their colleagues, demonstrated success in mentoring relationships, and their ability to provide the Scholar with opportunities for collaborative scholarship within the student's field.

Special Curricula: A sequence of four seminars must be completed by the Scholars in this program. The seminars are used to build specific skills and strategies necessary for graduate study and research. Topics may include research proposals, graduate education trends, diversity issues, the application process, self-presentation with a focus on successful oral and written communication, and GRE preparation.

Activities: The program activities include personalized academic and career counseling; standardized test-taking workshops; personalized academic skills enhancement; and other services designed to prepare scholars for graduate study and research. Additionally, several informal gatherings for mentors and scholars take place throughout the academic year in social contexts outside the university.

For more information, please contact the Nicolas Shump, Dean's Scholars Coordinator, at (785) 864-3305 or xmasbaby@ku.edu.