What is the Office of Scholars Programs?
The Office of Scholars Programs provides management and oversight of the Scholars Programs, as well as additional support and resources for Scholars students, including summer communication with incoming students, coordination of New Student Orientation events, Scholars Orientation, and a living learning program (in collaboration with Residence Life and Housing), instruction of the Scholarship and Community seminar, academic counseling (as needed), and review of Scholars’ academic progress and status for renewal of their award.
The Office of Scholars Programs manages four scholars programs within the Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity: Bunton-Waller Fellows, Lenfest Scholars, Maguire Scholars, and Milton Hershey Scholars. These four programs have the broad and shared goal to enhance the inclusion efforts at Penn State, and provide support to underrepresented and underserved students in higher education. Each of the Scholars Programs maintains its own merit-based eligibility requirements and shares programmatic elements.
- Bunton-Waller Program
- Lenfest Scholars Program
- Maguire Scholars Program
- Milton Hershey Scholars Program
Ritner Experience
All Educational Equity Scholars (Bunton-Waller Fellows, Lenfest Scholars, and Maguire Scholars) participate in a living-learning program designed to build community amongst the new student cohort, support students' transition to college, explore opportunities at Penn State, and develop skills for academic success.
Scholarship and Community Seminar
The Scholarship and Community Seminar (AFAM 197) is taught by the assistant vice provost for Educational Equity and the director of Scholars Programs, in collaboration with the CCML and the Multicultural Resource Center (MRC). The seminar builds upon the Penn State values and literature from student development theory, persistence research, and college transition studies.
