What's New

Black Issues in Higher Education, August 5, 1999

* Historically Black Cheyney University of Pennsylvania has established the Keystone Honors Academy, which wilt provide full scholarships to academically talented state residents who meet certain financial criteria. Special focus will be given to students majoring in mathematics, sciences, technology education, urban education, and hotel, restaurant, and institutional management.

A $500,000 appropriation by the commonwealth's budget will provide for 50 four-year scholarships -- including tuition, room and board, and fees. The goal is to enroll 200 students in the academy by 2002.

Applicants should have a minimum 3.0 high school grade-point average and graduate in the top 25 percent of their class; an SAT score of at least 1000 or an ACT score of at least 21; proof of community service and/or school service: a minimum 3.0 GPA for transfer students with a minimum of 24 credit hours; and must be enrolled in one of the previously mentioned disciplines.

Interested applicants should contact the university at (610) 399-2386.

* The University of California-Davis has unveiled a long-term partnership with the Sacramento City Unified, Grant Joint Union High, and Del Paso Heights Elementary school districts called the Reservation for College program. The program will prepare economically and educationally disadvantaged fourth-grade students for a future in higher education-with the potential reward of a scholarship to the UC-Davis campus.

Fourth graders spend 20 hours of the spring term in special after-school programs developed by the university and taught by their classroom teachers. There, they learn the importance of education in relation to their later success in life. They also learn the paths they will need to follow to achieve admission to college.

Family members of the students are also required to meet individually with counselors from the university and to sign a commitment to the program, which relies on heavy involvement from the family. The progress of each child is monitored.

"Our hope is that we can make an immediate and lasting difference in the lives of the students and families involved in Reservation for College by making available the practical tools they need to understand the importance of an education and what it takes to get to college," says UC-Davis' chancellor, Dr. Larry N. Vanderhoef. "We hope that this program can be expanded, opening the doors of higher education and reversing a pattern of educational disadvantage in many communities throughout the state."

Upon completion of the nine-year program, students who graduate from a partner high school and get admitted to UC-Davis will receive grants to help defray undergraduate costs.

For more information on the program, contact Faith Paul, director of Educational Outreach, at (530) 754-9296, or by e-mail at <fgpaul@ucdavis.edu.