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Science Training and Education Program (STEP) - is designed to provide academic enrichment in math, science, and critical thinking for disadvantaged/underserved (economically, academically disadvantaged) students.This Saturday Institute serves disadvantaged students in grades 6-8. STEP encourages students to be academically successful and increases their awareness of health careers. STEP meets one Saturday each month during the school year.

EXCEL- is a summer enrichment program designed to provide disadvantaged/underserved high school sophomore -junior students with the opportunity to participate in challenging math, science, computer, and language arts coursework. These students are also given the opportunity to explore health career opportunities through mentoring programs and exposure to healthcare professionals. Counselors from the target schools recruit students for the EXCEL program beginning in September of each year.

Medical Cooperative Program (MEDCORP I & II) – is a summer enrichment program for pre- freshman and pre-sophomore disadvantaged/underserved college students designed to provide a challenging advanced math and science curriculum to increase their preparation to meet criteria for admission to health professions school. These students are also given the opportunity to further explore health career opportunities through mentoring programs and exposure to healthcare professionals.

Medical Cooperative Program (MEDCORP III & IV) – provides disadvantaged/underserved pre-junior and pre-senior college students with an intense, comprehensive program of study for the MCAT/DAT admission exams. Kaplan-trained instructors lead students though a course of study intended to reinforce students' knowledge of chemistry, physics,  and biological sciences. A verbal reasoning section is also included . Students participate in clinical preceptorships with community and/ or UMC physicians designed to provide them with a meaningful health care professional shadowing experience.

Pre-Matriculation Summer Educational Enrichment Program (PRE-MAT) – is a seven-week intensive program is designed to significantly increase the competitive basis upon which the participants approach more advanced professional studies. This demanding program provides students with a simulation of the rigors of professional school with an intensive study of gross anatomy and biochemistry. The testing and evaluation process provides students with constructive feedback on their progress. The program also includes study skills training, test-taking strategies, and a mentoring program which provides interaction with medical students and faculty.

The EXCEL and MEDCORP I& II programs are hosted at our Health Alliance Partnership-( HPAP) Sites, Tougaloo College and Alcorn State University. Tougaloo College, ( HPAP Site I ), located in Jackson, Mississippi, is a small, private college known for producing many of the African American physicians and teachers in the state.  Alcorn State University  (HPAP Site II ) is the oldest , predominantly African American land-grant college in the United States.  Alcorn is situated 90 miles south of Jackson  and is known for its academic  excellence.

MCA SERVICES

The Division of Multicultural Affairs has an over 30-year history of being committed to students’ success. We believe that being admitted to health professions school is only the first step, graduation is the goal. We offer the following services to assist students in reaching their goals.

Academic Year Tutorial Program - free tutoring in any subject from qualified and proven tutors

Examination and Board Preparation materials - We provide additional materials to help students prepare for STEP exams, pre-admission exams, including, Q-bank, MCAT, DAT, ACT workshops, and study skill workshops

Mentoring Program - We offer a formal mentoring program where students are paired with a UMC faculty member to guide them through their health professions school experience. Students who are informed and feel connected tend to perform better and are generally happier.

Also, each incoming student meets with the Associate Vice-Chancellor for Multicultural Affairs for a one - on -one lunch meeting in the fall of the year.

Counseling services - a licensed psychologist is available as needed to assist students in their transition to the rigors of health professions training

Resources Library/group study area/Computer room/Computer loaner service- these services are available through the Division of MCA

Scholarship/Summer internship information - The Division of MCA serves as a clearinghouse for valuable information. Information is made available to students via postings within the Division and on the Division's web site- http://mca.umc.edu.

Affinity group - The Division provides support to the following student groups on campus:

  • MSHCA (Multicultural Student Health Care Association) - designed to give students from each of the schools a meaningful voice in the productivity and advancement of their school.
  • SNMA ( Student National Medical Association) an organization, which was founded in 1964 by students at Howard University School of Medicine and at Meharry Medical College. The students recognized the need for more and better care in underrepresented and indigent communities. SNMA also promotes a student buddy program in which an upperclassman is paired with an incoming student to provide guidance, support, and valuable information.
  • SNDA (Student National Dental Association) - was organized by dental students at Meharry Medical College in 1970. The ultimate goal of SNDA is to improve the health manpower distribution among the underrepresented population as defined by the Department of Health and Human Services.
 

Liaison support - Each school has a multicultural affairs officer who responds to the day-to-day needs and concerns of students. This individual works closely with the Division of MCA in promoting our mission of student support.

Pipeline Programs - K-12 programs, college level, and pre-matriculation programs offered during the academic year and the summer to provide exposure to health careers and enhance students' success in   gaining admission to health professions school.