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MENTORING SCHOLARS ANNOUNCED

By Carol Sanders/SPECIAL TO THE COMMERCIAL
Saturday, November 21, 2009 10:13 PM CST

Christopher Nesby, Donnelle Gaines, Jasmine Dunn, Jacquelyn Edwards and Jasmine Hall are the newest Mentoring Scholars at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences. They join a select group.

Since 1998, 65 freshmen have been designated Mentoring Scholars and each awarded a $1,000 scholarship by the Arkansas Electric Cooperatives. Mentoring Scholars regularly meet with a faculty mentor in their major and receive additional support from their mentors during their freshman year.

Some scholars elect to be advised by their mentors throughout their college careers at UAPB. Some scholars have participated in research projects, make scientific presentations and published their research under the supervision of their mentor.

The program with its faculty-student mentoring concept has contributed to the success of Mentoring Scholars in many ways. Eighty-six percent of the scholars have remained at UAPB and either graduated with a degree or are presently enrolled. The national retention rate for four-year public, open enrollment universities is 67.8 percent.

Seventy-three percent of the eligible seniors have graduated completing their degrees in 4.5 years with an average GPA of 3.09. By contrast, the UAPB six-year graduation rate is 32.9 percent. Eleven scholars have earned advanced degrees or are enrolled in graduate school. Four students are expected to graduate by May 2010.

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