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University has new scholars program for students The MUSC Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost is launching a new program for students: The Interdisciplinary Presidential Scholars Program.  MUSC President Ray Greenberg, M.D., Ph.D., originated the idea for a scholars program when he was the university provost as a mechanism to enrich the academic culture of the university and promote greater interdisciplinary understanding among health professional students.  A faculty and student committee, chaired by Valerie West, Ed.D., associate provost for educational programs, has developed the program. Feedback from multiple student focus group meetings proved invaluable to the final design. The scholars program, which will begin in the fall, will be a two-semester experience for approximately 30 students, joined by selected faculty scholars from each college. This non-graded, extracurricular program will allow students to bring an interdisciplinary perspective to the study of complex social, political, and human issues of broad interest to health care professionals. Involvement in the scholars program will allow students to: Engage in an intellectually challenging and provocative dialogue on issues of broad interest to the helping professions; Develop appreciation for other disciplines and understand interdisciplinary cooperation; Appreciate the complexities of difficult local and global human and social issues;  Gain greater insight into the nature of ongoing change and the complexity of resolving conflicting need; Understand and appreciate divergent views and heighten awareness of their own values and sense of social conscience in the context of their professional responsibilities and talent; and Learn to use new ideas and sources of knowledge to establish lifelong learning patterns. As such, the program will help develop future health care leaders who possess a solid core of values and sense of responsibility for the health of their communities.  The program will be offered in a format that maximizes student directed learning and participation.  Meetings will be held during the dinner hour, generally on a monthly basis, with occasional short retreats.  Included will be special occasions with Greenberg and visiting speakers. A universitywide forum, led by the scholars, would culminate the year's activities. A Web site will be used to support the program as well. A variety of active learning approaches will be used, with emphasis on dialogue between participants, faculty, and experts inside and outside the university.  A theme will be chosen for each term or year of the program, with initial focus on the goals of the Healthy People 2010 national initiative. These goals are to increase quality and years of healthy life, and eliminate health disparities. Students selected as presidential scholars will be so recognized in multiple venues on campus and the designation of presidential scholar will appear on their academic transcript.  Applications for student presidential scholars are now being accepted. Students must be in good academic standing (minimum GPA of 3.0 desirable) to apply.  The materials needed for submission are as follows: One page description from the student indicating his/her reason for interest in the program and in interdisciplinary activity. (8.5” X 11”, 1” margins, font  10) Letter of support from a faculty member or dean indicating the student's potential as a Presidential Scholar.  Students are encouraged to self-nominate and seek a faculty member's support. Faculty are likewise encouraged to consider students they feel would be excellent scholar candidates and submit their nomination letter with the student's statement of interest. Undergraduate and graduate students in any year of their curriculum are eligible as long as they are able to attend both fall and spring terms. For the first year, selection will be limited to 30 students. All colleges will be represented.  The selection committee will also give diversity of discipline and cultural background strong consideration in the selection process. A new class of scholars will be selected each year. All completed applications must be submitted to Valerie T. West, director of the Presidential Scholars Program by no later than April 20.  Students will be notified of their selection by May 15.  Please address questions  to West at 792-2340 or Marcia Higaki, scholars program coordinator,  at 792-2228.  Interdisciplinary Presidential Scholars Program Nomination/Application Form Note: Nomination/Application deadline is April 20. (Please include the information on where we can reach you on May 15) Name:____________________________________________________________ Address: _________________________________________________________                __________________________________________________________ Telephone Number(s): (H)___________________  (W)____________________ E-Mail Address:______________________________________________ College: ____Dental Medicine     ____Graduate Studies       _____ Medicine  _____ Health Professions       _____ Nursing                   _____ Pharmacy Program: ________________________________________________________ Checklist: ____ Letter of support from faculty member/Dean ____ Student essay (not to exceed one page; 8.5“ X 11”, 1” margins, font  10) Submit to:  Dr. Valerie T. West  Administration Building, Suite 200H  P. O. Box 250002  171 Ashley Avenue  Medical University of South Carolina Charleston, SC  29425 Phone: 792-2340       Fax: 792-5110   E-Mail: westvt@musc.edu