UWM Chancellor Carlos E. Santiago
One of the best developments at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee over the past few years has been the focus on creating and maintaining scholarships. The Chancellor’s Scholarship for Diversity and Leadership is certainly among the most important new scholarship programs created, and applications are now being accepted for the 2010-11 academic year.
This scholarship program responded to a need UWM identified for larger dollar amounts—giving deserving students sufficient funding so that they can focus exclusively on their education and not need to simultaneously work one or more jobs to pay for college. A scholarship funds up to the full cost of attendance including tuition, residence hall, meal plan, books and other educational expenses. For the coming academic year, the program makes available renewable scholarships for up to $21,000 annually to deserving entering freshmen.
UWM very much wants to attract highly qualified historically underrepresented students who demonstrate the potential for leadership and intellectual development and are committed to becoming engaged citizens of the university and the broader community. The program does not stop with just one year of support. Scholarship funds are renewable annually for At the January 22, 2010 special meeting of the Milwaukee Board of School Directors, Dr. Gregory Thornton was elected to lead Milwaukee Public Schools as the new Superintendent of Schools. The appointment of Dr. Thornton will be effective on July 1, 2010, upon the retirement of the current MPS Superintendent, three additional years provided the student maintains the conditions of the award.
The program has brought some outstanding young people to our campus in recent years. Nygil Matthews had built a strong background in mathematics and science before coming to UWM in fall 2009, and says he plans to major in nursing. Natalie Ergas was especially relieved to earn a current scholarship because her father had just had heart surgery. And Camille Ridgeway was already familiar with our campus since she had been part of a number of UWM’s pre-college programs while at nearby Riverside University High School.
These scholarship students— and all other first year students—have access to the UWM First Year Center. It is a one-stop facility where students can find all the information about valuable resources on campus. These resources include the Campus Ambassador/ Mentors program that provides one-on-one guidance for students. The First Year Center is one more way that UWM provides quality comprehensive services to new freshmen and transfer students. We want to do all we can to ensure the success of those students who enroll with us.
You can learn a lot more about the Chancellor’s Scholarship for Diversity and Leadership program online at http://scholarships.uwm.edu or by contacting Coleen Dunlap, UWM Scholarship Coordinator, (414) 229-5619 or cdunlap@uwm.edu. Interested students should start working on their applications now because the priority deadline for applications is March 15. Applications may be accepted after the deadline if funding remains available. Given the size of the scholarships and popularity of the program, I recommend that potential students take fast action to ensure priority consideration.