The Graduate School Diversity Office (GSDO) and Departments Programs and Activities

The GSDO office, located in 333 Johnston Hall, coordinates activities relating to underrepresented graduate students. It assists directors of graduate studies with recruitment, retention, and funding of underrepresented graduate students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. The office provides students with strategies for clarifying goals, selecting a graduate program, preparing the best possible graduate school application, and funding graduate work through assistantships and fellowships.  For more information about our mission please refer to "The Graduate School Diversity Office Mission Statement".

http://www.grad.umn.edu/outreach/

Diversity Initiatives

Strategies that facilitate identification of prospective graduate students include, but are not limited to the following:

• Direct contact with Historically Black Colleges and Universities, tribal colleges, and institutions with a high percentage of students of color;
• Advertise opportunities for students of color at the University nationally;
• Use existing resources within the University (e.g., identify students involved in the undergraduate summer research programs, enlist the assistance of faculty and students of color within departments, collaborate with related disciplines in recruiting efforts, and respond to inquiries generated through the National Name Exchange);
• Make use of network opportunities outside the University (e.g., mail recruiting materials to national organizations and professional societies; attend national conferences, recruiting fairs, and professional meetings; network with professionals in the field, sponsoring companies, and professional organizations to create a pool of applicants; and maintain relations with minority alumni to refer students to departments);
• Secure financial support for students of color (e.g., through block grant funds, fellowship programs, departmental support, and internships).

Additional efforts by programs that aid in the retention of women and students of color include examining the curriculum for inclusiveness; developing mentoring programs; providing diversity workshops for faculty, staff, and students; and examining the general climate for underrepresented students within the program.

Programs and Activities

(Recruitment, Funding, Retention and Graduation)

If you have questions about the following programs and activities, please call the Graduate School Diversity Office at 612.625.6858.

Proactive Approach to Recruitment

The GSDO invites students to join the Prospective Student Roster. The Roster enables the office to maintain contact with students via e-mail and telephone, to help applicants understand the admission process, to ask them if they are receiving department information, and to determine if their questions are being answered.

AY Prospect Module:  Diversity Roster

The Graduate School in Fall 2007 announced the addition of the Prospect Module to the ApplyYourself (AY) system. The AY Prospect Module can help you to better identify and qualify diverse prospective students and to build personal relationships with those students; you can retrieve a full or program specific roster of prospective students by term.

Prospective students are met at various Recruitment Events (see below). The Graduate School Diversity Office collects and enters the names, email addresses and other pertinent information from prospective students who indicated that they are interested in receiving information about specific graduate program(s).   We encourage you to contact these prospects and to send them your graduate program information.    For the most current Prospect Module and Export instruction, please refer to website: http://www.grad.umn.edu/outreach/recruitment/prospectay.html.

Recruitment Events

Representative(s) of the University of Minnesota Graduate School attend National Graduate Fairs, Conferences and Symposia to speak with prospective graduate students about our summer research and graduate school programs.   Please refer to our Recruitment Schedule website for a listing of our current recruitment activities.

 

Graduate School Summer Visitation Program

The Graduate School staff invites regional McNair Scholars' Programs, Model Institutions of Excellence Programs, and area colleges' Multicultural Affairs Offices to our Graduate School Visitation Program held once a month during the summer on the Twin Cities campus.  The day consists of a presentation about the process of applying for admission to graduate programs.  In addition, students meet with faculty and staff to discuss their research, and receive a staff-led tour of the campus.  We encourage students to attend our annual Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium held in August.

Campus Community Connection Visitation Program

The GSDO staff is available to assist graduate programs with recruitment of prospective students whom programs invite for campus visits and orientations.  We have found that it is important for students of color to know that there is a community on and off campus.  The GSDO staff, for example, will inform prospective students during their campus visit about the Community of Scholars Program (COSP) and campus wide resourses.

Project 1000

This national program assists underrepresented students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents in applying to graduate school. Through Project 1000, students use one application to apply to up to seven of the more than eighty participating Project 1000 institutions (including the University of Minnesota). The Graduate School Admissions Office accepts copies of the Project 1000 application and supporting material in lieu of the Graduate School's application materials and encourages programs to do the same. Some graduate programs, however, may require an additional program application.

 

National Name Exchange Program

The University of Minnesota participates in The National Name Exchange Program (see a list of the 29 major research institutions). These institutions collect the names of their students of color who are juniors and seniors with a minimum G.P.A. of 3.0 and are interested in graduate study. The institutions then share this information with each other and send application and financial information to the students. We encourage these students to schedule an appointment with our office to talk about graduate studies.

University of Minnesota/The CIC FreeApp Program

"The CIC FreeApp Program", is designed to expand participation of underrepresented groups in graduate education. The CIC FreeApp Program targets prospective students who have participated in: CIC SROP, MARC, Howard Hughes, McNair, and COR programs.   Through "The CIC FreeApp Program", prospective students can apply for a graduate application fee waiver or request graduate information for Ph.D. or Master of Fine Arts programs at CIC institutions. Funds are limited so request should be made by December 15th.

 

Annual Welcome Luncheon for Students

In September, underrepresented graduate students are invited to attend the Welcome Luncheon in order to meet Graduate School Staff, meet new and returning graduate students, reconnect with peers and learn more about the Community of Scholars Program (COSP).

The Community of Scholars Program (COSP)

Funded by the Graduate School, the Community of Scholars Program (COSP) works towards creating the institutional environment required for the academic achievement of graduate students.  The Program assists under-represented students (U.S. Citizens and permanent residents) to more fully participate in the University, develop supportive relationships with advisors and mentors; build a sense of community through academic seminars and professional development workshops; and connect students to the Twin Cities community through research and civic engagement opportunities.

The Community of Scholars Program (COSP) Summer Institute

The Community of Scholars Program Summer Institute is funded by The Graduate School and Office for Multicultural and Academic Affairs.  Prospective graduate students nominated for fellowships are candidates for participation for the Summer Institute.  The COSP Summer Institute is held prior to the initial fall enrollment.   For ten weeks students conduct research with a faculty and attend weekly seminars focusing on topics relevant to the graduate school experience.

The Multicultural Summer Research Opportunities Program (MSROP)

MSROP is a ten-week program, held on the Twin Cities campus. The program provides students from various academic and cultural backgrounds an opportunity to develop research and inquiry skills with a faculty mentor on an individual basis or as part of research team. In addition to conducting research, students also participate in weekly meetings, seminars, and a national research conference. The experience provides participants groundwork for advanced study and prepare them for graduate and professional degrees at the University of Minnesota.

 

The Annual Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium

The Annual All Campus Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium held in August is an opportunity for the University community to view research conducted during the summer by undergraduate students from across the nation who have collaborated on research projects with University of Minnesota faculty. This is an interdisciplinary event that will include a keynote presentation, luncheon and poster session.

 

Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP)

The University of Minnesota's Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program offers financial awards twice yearly to full time undergraduates for research, scholarly, or creative projects undertaken in partnership with a faculty member. It encourages students to conduct research and pursue academic interests outside of their regular courses by employing them to work on special research projects. UROP applications are judged on both the quality of the proposed project and the educational benefit to the student; awards are not based on financial need.

 

Diversity of Views and Experiences (DOVE) Recruiting Fellowship

The Graduate School Diversity Office (GSDO) administers the DOVE Fellowship. The fellowship is awarded to approximately 10 to 15 first-year students from under-represented groups (U.S. citizens or permanent residents). The fellowship provides appoximately a $21,000.00 stipend, tuition at regular graduate school rates (up to 14 credits per semester), and subsidized health insurance for one academic year. Graduate programs must nominate prospective students.  The nomination procedures are announced by the GSDO during the fall semester.   Students who wish to be nominated should contact the Director of Graduate Studies in advance. The recipients of the DOVE Fellowship are encouraged to participate in the Community of Scholars Program (COSP). For further information please refer to the FAQs website below. DOVE Fellowship FAQs

McNair Scholar/ DOVE Fellowship

The Graduate School of the University of Minnesota has designated at least one of its Diversity of Views and Experiences (DOVE) Fellowships to be awarded to McNair Scholars.  

 

Travel Award Funds (For DOVE Fellowship Nominees)

The GSDO has limited funds - up to $400 of transportation expenses only - to assist with the expense of bringing DOVE Fellowhip Nominees to campus for a visit.  Request should be made before before mid-March, and visit must take place no later than April 15th.  Programs must request reimbursement before May 20, 2005.  Please contact the GSDO for more information.

 

UNCF Partnership

The UNCF/University of Minnesota Partnership Program is a three-pronged approach that helps feed the educational pipeline from undergraduate years through graduate school. The first component seeks to reach students before they have made up their minds about the viability of applying to particular colleges or ruling out college altogether. The second and third components not only reward talented students from the Minnesota area, but reinforce the importance of students giving back to their own communities. This partnership's emphasis on Minnesota residents, however, students that are non-Minnesota residents are considered if their written statement demonstrates a compelling reason.

The Partnership Program consists of:

• The UNCF/ University of Minnesota College Fair
• The University of Minnesota Scholars Program
• The UNCF/University of Minnesota Graduate Fellow Program

For more information contact:

United Negro College Fund
Program Services Department
P.O. Box 10444
Fairfax, VA 22031
703.205.3400

or

Wells Fargo Midland Building
401 2nd Avenue South
Suite 532
Minneapolis, MN 55401
612.338.1901

 

Common Ground Consortium (CGC) Program

The Common Ground Consortium (CGC) program seeks to support students of participating Historically Black Colleges and University (HBCU) who want to pursue graduate-level studies in education and human development fields. Eligible programs available through the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) include master of education (M.Ed.)/professional studies, master of arts (M.A.), doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.), doctor of education (Ed.D.), and specialist certificates. CGC offers financial, social and academic support to graduates of Albany State University, Alcorn State University, Elizabeth City State University, Fort Valley State University, Grambling University, Tuskegee University, Wiley College and Xavier College.

University of Minnesota representatives - staff and previous summer research students - who spoke with student on the UPR-Mayaguez Campus in Puerto Rico.