Being a doctoral student is never easy. A shortage of role models can make the process even harder, especially for minority students.

To reduce these challenges, the Chancellors Office of the Higher Education Policy Commission, West Virginia Universitys Presidents Office for Social Justice and the WVU Office of the Provost will sponsor a colloquium for aspiring minority doctoral students on the WVU campus in Morgantown May 3-4.

“National statistics suggest that, for many reasons, minority students tend to have a harder time adjusting to graduate studies,”said Jennifer McIntosh, WVU executive officer for Social Justice.

“This colloquium will help minority students establish mentors and develop an increased familiarity with higher education,”she said.”At WVU , they also will become better acquainted with the many doctoral programs offered here, and they will learn more about the promise and possibility that academia holds.”

High-achieving undergraduate and masters students who identify themselves as black, Hispanic, Asian, or Native Americans are especially encouraged to apply, she added.

Students who identify themselves as members of another minority, as defined by the federal government, such as Hawaiian or Aleutian Islander, are eligible.

Other high achieving minority individuals not currently enrolled in an institution of higher education but who wish to choose an academic career also may apply.

The colloquium, including lodging and meals, is free. Participants also are encouraged to bring a faculty member to join them at the colloquium.

Interested individuals must send a one to two-page letter of application by March 1 that includes general personal information, such as name, address, phone number and email. It also should include the name of the institution that the applicant is currently enrolled in, program of study, cumulative grade point average and the name and telephone number of a mentor.

Applications can be sent to Dr. Rosemary Haggett, Office of the Provost, P.O. Box 6203, WVU , Morgantown, WV 26506 -6203.

In November, WVU announced its Academic Partnership Program for Minority Teaching Fellows. The new partnership facilitates teaching opportunities for WVU minority doctoral students at Fairmont State, Glenville State, Potomac State College of WVU and WVU Parkersburg. While honing their teaching skills, the students add diversity to the states higher education system. It is anticipated that Shepherd and West Liberty State College will join this group in the fall of 2002.

For more information on either the colloquium or the academic partnership program, call the WVU Presidents Office for Social Justice, 304-293-5496.