SEMO PROGRAM DESIGNED TO ATTRACT MINORITIES

Southeast Missouri State University wants to attract quality minority students to its campus.

The school has established a minority mentor program. Under a work-study arrangement, beginning freshmen minority students receive $1,000 for the academic year in exchange for working in various university departments.

Derek Hudson, an admissions counselor, said the program is for all minorities who meet the qualifications. "It gives them a chance to get some real-world job experience and allows them to work with university staff who can give them support and guidance."

Hudson said the students are chosen on a competitive basis. They must have an ACT score of 21 or higher, demonstrate good academic performance in high school, involvement in extracurricular activities and have financial needs.

"Southeast does not have the scholarships to offer minorities so we developed jobs to offer. And with the program, the students don't just get a job, they also get a mentor on campus to help them with problems before they get too big to handle."

The students are matched with departments by interest, major, skill or extracurricular activities.

The students can participate four years; the admissions office, however, only places the students in positions for the first year. Afterward, the students are responsible for arranging employment with the departments.

To participate, students must live on campus and maintain a minimum 2.5 grade-point average.

Last year eight students participated in the program, including Rholanda Cleveland, who worked with the Air Force ROTC office.

Cleveland credited the mentor program as one of the reasons she returned to Southeast this fall. "There are a lot of people looking for jobs and this program helped me find one."