Multicultural Pharmacy Scholars Program
Enriching our Healthcare System through Multicultural leadership
The Multicultural Pharmacy Scholars Program (MPSP) was established in 2003 as a special opportunity for academically well-prepared pharmacy students from under-represented backgrounds to receive support and assistance to maximize their leadership skill, academic success, and professional opportunities in pharmacy school.
MPSP offers advising, peer support from student colleagues, and activities to enhance the academic, social, personal and career aspects of the pharmacy school experience. In addition, MPSP scholars are eligible to receive renewable academic scholarships and funding to attend professional meetings.
Eligibility – To be eligible to participate, a student must:
- Be admitted into the School of Pharmacy
- Be a U.S. citizen or have been granted U.S. Permanent Resident status
- Be an academically well-prepared student from an under-represented background in the School of Pharmacy (including African-Americans, Latino/a, and Indigenous students) who may be first generation college attendees and have financial need as defined by Pell Grant eligibility
Scholarships – Renewable scholarships typically range from $500 to $1000 per semester, based on academic performance, student participation, financial need, and available funding.
Mentoring and Academic Advising – MPSP scholars attend individual monthly advising meetings with the MPSP faculty director and receive peer mentoring from upper level students. Students also attend semester group leadership and/or professional meetings during the semester.
Tutoring – Academic tutoring is available for all MPSP members.
Cultural and Social Events – The University Multicultural Scholars Program hosts several events each semester that scholars from each of the undergraduate programs across campus attend.
Leadership and Professional Development – Students have opportunities to get involved in the KU and local community, including networking opportunities with other students, faculty, and professional pharmacy practitioners. Support for study abroad and professional meetings is also available.
Student Responsibilities - MPSP scholars are expected to attend all pharmacy classes and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5. They must attend and participate in all advising/mentoring meetings and MPSP events. It is also the responsibility of each student to serve as a mentor to the P1, P2, and P3 students, if needed.
Application Procedures – To apply, students must submit a cover sheet with identifying information and an application essay no later than the end of the first semester of the P1 year. The cover sheet with identifying information and instructions for writing the essay may be found here.
Applications will be reviewed and students admitted into the program on the basis of program eligibility, pre-pharmacy academic performance, financial need, and commitment and motivation to enhancing cultural competency in pharmacy as evidenced in the MPSP essay and School of Pharmacy application materials. Unfortunately, space in the program is limited by funding.
Interested students are encouraged to read additional information on the KU Multicultural Scholars Program website or contact the Pharmacy Multicultural Scholars program (MPSP) Director, Barbara Woods, with any questions.
