The Gates Millennium Scholars Program is more than just funding. As a Gates Scholar, you have access to a wealth of services and programs to help you excel academically, personally and
professionally. The mission of the Leadership Development Programs is to equip Scholars with the tools for academic and personal success to achieve positive social impact.
Our programs and services are built on the framework of the 4R’s:
Rigor: Scholars and Alumni are to pursue lifelong learning, strive to meet course requirements and actively seek opportunities to succeed in challenging classes.
Relevance: Scholars and Alumni build understanding of how courses, projects and opportunities they pursue impact and benefit their lives in a rapidly changing world.
Relationships: Scholars and Alumni are encouraged to connect with each other as well as seasoned academic and professional mentors who know them, support them and push them to succeed.
Responsibility: Scholars and Alumni must be dedicated to making a difference, taking risks and demonstrating integrity so that they may become forces for positive local, national and global change.
ACADEMIC EMPOWERMENT SERVICES (ACE)
Academic Empowerment Services (ACE) is designed to provide Scholars with the resources,
academic support and information necessary to gain the most from their educational experience. We know that college can be difficult at times, therefore, GMS offers ACE services to mitigate some of those challenges and provide Scholars with the social capital necessary to successfully navigate higher education.
Academic Support/ Guidance
In keeping with the program’s expectation that Scholars pursue their academics with Rigor throughout their tenure as Gates Scholars, ACE offers a number of “check-ups” for Scholars that may need a bit of assistance succeeding in their coursework. Because starting one’s college career with strong academics is essential to later achievement including graduate enrollment, GMS
reviews all Freshman transcripts. Those Scholars falling below a 3.0 cumulative GPA will receive a range of follow-up from their perspective Partner organization designed to assist them gaining firm academic footing.
Similarly, Scholars who fall below full-time status at any point will also be contacted by the program as a means to ensure not only their scholarship eligibility to assist them in identifying issues, locating on-campus assistance and returning to full-time enrollment status.
For Scholars on deferment, navigating the return to full-time Active status can be difficult. To ease the transition, ACE reaches out to Scholars on most types of deferment in an effort to smooth the return.
Graduate Education Planning
Graduate education planning is critical to the successful transition from undergraduate to graduate studies. GMS provides Graduate School Fellowships for continuing Gates Scholars in the areas of Computer Science, Education, Engineering, Library Science, Mathematics, Public Health and Science. Please note the following services offered exclusively to Gates Scholars:
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Fee Reduction Certificate
Through a Partnership with Education Testing Service (ETS), Scholars are eligible to receive a one-time only GRE Fee Reduction Certificate. The Certificate may be applied towards the test fee for one General Test and/or one Subject Test. The reduction accounts for 50% of the testing fee.
Scholars must submit a written request to GMS via e-mail to [email protected].
Please include your full name, current address and GMS ID number.
School of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS) Fee Waiver
The Schools of Public Health Application Service offers Gates Millennium Scholars the opportunity to waive the application fee for up to three designated members of the Association of Schools of Public Health.
Scholars must begin an application on the www.sophas.org website. Once the applicant registers with SOPHAS, he/she must fill out the SOPHAS Gates Millennium Scholar Fee Waiver Request Form. Once the form is completed, the document must be submitted to GMS via e-mail to [email protected] or it can be faxed or e-mailed to the office.
Graduate School Institutes and GMS Leadership Academies
Ensure Success in Graduate School by attending a Graduate School Institute!
Graduate School Institutes are offered in collaboration with colleges/universities and other educationally-based organizations as a means to increase Scholar and Alumni awareness of the seven GMS-funded graduate majors and to increase overall graduate school matriculation.
Participating Scholars and Alumni attend workshops facilitated by nationally-recognized faculty members and speakers and enjoy opportunities to network with other members of the Gates Scholar community. For more information, send an e-mail to [email protected].
GMS GSI Examples:
GSI at Tulane University, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, an event to prepare Scholars for admissions to graduate programs in Public Health, Engineering, and other disciplines.
Graduate School Information Session, a half day workshop during the 2011
Alternative Spring Break to enable Scholars to hear from a panel of admissions
representatives from graduate programs in public health and education as well as panel of GMS Graduate Scholars on their
graduate school experience.
Compact for Faculty Diversity’s Institute on Teaching and Mentoring
www.instituteon teachingandmentoring.org
American Library Association (ALA) conference
Focus on Professional and Personal Development at the GMS Leadership Academies!
Structured as one-day or weekend, mini-conferences, the GMS Leadership Academies deliver continued overall development for Scholars and Alumni through workshop sessions delivered by local and national experts in areas that include professional development, community and global engagement, and lifelong learning. For more information, send an e-mail to [email protected] or [email protected].
GMS Academy Examples:
21st Century Leader: Leadership in Service to Others, a one-day leadership academy focused on understanding what it means to be a Gates Scholar and leader.
Leadership Academy for Campus-Based Leaders, a two day workshop for Campus Based Leaders to exchange ideas,
experiences and methods that work for their GMS organizations at their respective institutions.
Natural Resource Careers Symposium, a one and a half day event hosted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to introduce Scholars to career opportunities in science and natural resources.
SERVE COMMUNITIES THROUGH GMS IN ACTION
GMS in Action allows Scholars to give back to the community and potential applicants through a variety of service projects. Beginning in 2010, GMS designed a special program for Scholars during their spring break to travel to a U.S. city and partner with various community agencies specifically around issues related to public health and urban education. This opportunity allows Scholars to gain real-world experience addressing various social issues as well as serve the surrounding community.
Alternative Spring Break Recently, GMS partnered with HandsOn Bay Area to provide service to communities in the San Francisco Bay Area. A total of 58 Gates Scholars and Alumni spent the week focusing on service projects to learn about issues specific to urban education and public health. Scholars focused on the challenges that face urban education while expanding their knowledge of HIV/Aids in the San Francisco Bay Area. Additionally, they mentored middle and high school students to promote college readiness.
For more information, send an e-mail to [email protected].
If you have any questions or concerns about GMS, balancing life on your campus, or how to get more involved in GMS activities, please contact your GMS Administrative Office 1-877-690-GMSP (4677). Also remember to visit the Scholar Website (www.gmsp.org) and Scholar Connection (www.gmsconnection.org) on a regular basis for helpful tips and program updates.
GMSLEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
ATTENDING THE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE WILL GIVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO:
Meet Distinguished Leaders
Each year, GMS invites well-known keynote speakers. Past conferences have included William Gates, Sr., co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; Brian Barton, Gates Alumnus ’00 and Major League baseball player; Gary Locke, U.S. Secretary of Commerce and U.S.
Ambassador to China designee; The Honorable Antonio Villaraigosa, Mayor of Los Angeles; Kevin Glover, director of Smithsonian National
Museum of the American Indian; Michel Martin, host of Tell Me More, National Public Radio; Dr.
Connie Mariano, Author of The White House Doctor; and John Legend, recording artist, concert performer and philanthropist; Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Actor, Director and Humanitarian; Dr. A.
Gabriel Esteban, President, Seton Hall University; Thomas Ryan Red Corn, Co-Owner, Buffalo Nickel Creative; and Lin-Manuel Miranda, award-winning Composer, Lyricist and Author . Develop Relationships and Network
The Leadership Conference will help you develop the social and online networking skills vital to making new friends as well as academic and career-related connections. You will also have the opportunity to:
Find Gates Scholars from your hometown and/or institution or who have similar interests.
Meet Gates Alumni and Scholar Mentors who will share their experiences and answer questions about the GMS Program, college life, and give you lots of support.
Enhance Your Academic Performance
The Leadership Conference provides you with range of programs and activities that will foster your high level of academic performance:
Take advantage of the Information Mall to get more information about college majors, graduate schools and various future career opportunities.
Learn about the seven GMS funded graduate fields and the GMS Mentoring Program.
Participate in Leadership & Community-Building Activities
Have fun as you begin the process of becoming a leader within the GMS community.
Maximize your personal development by building cross-cultural perspectives
Learn how to bring about positive community and campus change.
Depending on the location of your institution, you will be invited to attend the conference in Virginia or California. GMS will cover approved travel costs (airfare, train, bus and ground transportation) to and from the conference site. The program will also provide hotel
accommodations and all meals while attending conference activities
GMSMENTORING PROGRAM
The GMS Mentoring program provides Scholars with individualized support. Participating in a mentoring relationship can be central to academic, personal, and professional success. Mentoring relationships can be established based on a wide range of shared experiences and goals including academic and professional interests, cultural background, regional proximity, and
college/university.
The goal of the GMS Mentoring program is to:
Encourage the development of caring and supportive relationships amongst Scholars and Alumni which increase leadership in action, increase service to others, academic excellence, the successful management of real-life situations and networking.
The GMS Mentoring program offers Gates Scholars and Alumni opportunities to serve as both mentors and protégés.
A GMS mentor is enthusiastic, dedicated and willing to meet new Scholars. Successful mentors demonstrate the following:
An understanding of the significance of the 4Rs and commitment to incorporating these ideas into their own lives
A willingness to help a Gates Scholar reach his/her goals
A willingness to foster a caring and supportive relationship
A willingness to participate in training and leadership development activities
Time to dedicate at least four (4) hours per month to the Protégé via face-to-face, e-mail, phone and videoconference interactions
Completion of at least their freshman year of college
A GMS Protégé is enthusiastic, dedicated and willing to meet other Gates Scholars and Alumni.
Successful protégés demonstrate the following:
An understanding of the significance of the 4Rs and commitment to incorporate these ideas into their own lives
A willingness to work with a Gates Scholar or Alumni mentor to reach his/her goals
A willingness to foster a caring and supportive relationship
A willingness to participate in training and leadership development activities
Time to dedicate at least four (4) hours per month to the mentor via face-to-face, e-mail, phone and videoconference interactions
GMS General Mentoring Program
The GMS General Mentoring Program is designed to support Scholars’ education and personal progress. Scholars who participate in the program are at least classified as a sophomore. Alumni are encouraged to participate as well. This program is structured to allow flexibility and creativity in developing Mentor/Protégé relationships and more importantly, allow Mentors and Scholars to be matched based on Scholar needs, compatibility, area of interest and Mentor expertise.
GMS Peer Mentoring Program
The GMS Peer Mentoring Program is designed to increase retention of first-year Scholars by pairing them with upperclassmen Scholars on their campus and/or region. Peer Mentors aid in the academic, emotional and socio-cultural adjustment of first-year Scholars. The GMS Peer Mentoring program seeks to:
‐ Encourage positive self discovery through campus involvement for first-year Scholars
‐ Encourage establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships
‐ Encourage first-year Scholars to navigate their campus for appropriate support services
‐ Encourage first-year Scholars to be involved in community service opportunities within GMS and their community.
Campus Based Leadership
The Campus Based Leaders initiative is a focused priority of the Gates Millennium Scholars Program. Highly engaging and interactive, this program depends on the involvement of active, dedicated hand-selected members of the GMS community working together both regionally and nationally to support the following objectives:
‐ Creating a campus connecting point (Campus-Based Organization) for all Gates Scholars on campus through informal social gatherings and academic study support groups
‐ Creating opportunities for campus Gates Scholars to be engaged local citizens by giving back to their communities through service.
‐ Connecting with Alumni through GMS Alumni Association Regional Chapters to enhance mentoring and professional networking opportunities with your campus chapter
‐ Maintaining networks of collaboration and support amongst Gates Scholars in your chapter to raise awareness of the GMS Program
‐ Offering a means by which campus chapter members can share their talents, involvement, interests, and personal and professional achievements with each other
Campus-Based Leaders are hand selected by GMS. Upon graduation and successful management of the Campus Based Organization, you are eligible to serve on the GMS Alumni Association
Advisory Council (www.gmsalumni.org).
Your Mentor/Protégé is only one click away!
Go to https://gmsp.imentorinteractive.org to sign up today.
Contact [email protected] for more information.
ALUMNI RELATIONS PROGRAM
In the past the status “Alumni” has been equated to scholars who have exhausted their funding. The status “Alumni” will no longer be tied to the funding eligibility of a Scholar. No Longer Funded status (formerly known as the “Alumni” status will now indicate that you are no longer eligible to receive GMS Funding). Consistent with most college institution definitions the GMS Program has chosen to identify its Scholars who have obtained a bachelor’s degree as Gates Alumni even if the Scholars are still eligible to receive graduate funding.
Through the GMS Alumni Relations Program, actively participating Alumni find opportunities to network with other Alumni and Scholars, to serve as GMS Mentors for current Scholars, to engage in community service, to pursue further educational and professional development, and to assist us as Ambassadors in identifying future Scholars.
The Alumni Association is a national network of Gates Alumni, connected through this website, various social and business networking sites, regional events and gatherings, including support and services. If you are a Gates Alumni, you are already a member of the Association.
The Alumni Association is maintained with support from the GMS headquarters. It is a self-governed structure comprising of selected Alumni and Campus Based Leaders.
“Once a Scholar, always a Scholar” is the unofficial motto of the Alumni Relations Program. Gates Alumni are invited to remain active in the GMS community by participating in events, serving as GMS Mentors, Ambassadors and regional Alumni leaders through the Alumni Relations Program.
For information about how you can “be connected and stay connected” to the GMS community, visit the website www.gmsalumni.org or e-mail [email protected].
GMS Alumni Association Advisory Council Overview
Role of GMS Alumni Association Executive Committee (EC)
The Executive Committee advises GMS administration on the organizational and procedural course of the Alumni Association and members are ambassadors of the program. Each committee member has individual roles as described below.
Identifying key alumni in his/her region
Advising GMS administration in Alumni Association growth strategy
Serving as a resource to Regional Advisors
Serving as a liaison between the local GMS community, Partner organizations, and GMS administration
Attendance in Advisory Council meetings and conference calls
Serving as a mentor to active Scholars at GMS “flagship” colleges/institutions Selection of Executive Committee
Executive Committee Leadership positions are voted upon by the membership of the GMSAA during the annual meeting. Committee Chairs are selected at the annual meeting.
Role of the Regional Advisor
The Regional Advisor(s) serves as the point of contact for a Regional Chapter of the GMS Alumni Association. Regional Advisors also serve as a resource to the Executive Committee members and as a liaison between the local GMS community, partner organizations and GMS administration.