Century Scholars Program

2017-2018

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Howdy & Welcome ........................................................................... 3 Program History .................................................................................. 4 Century Scholars High Schools ........................................................ 5 Meet the Century Scholars Coordinators ...................................... 6 Maintaining Scholarship Eligibility ................................................... 7 Freshmen Requirements ................................................................... 8 Sophomore Requirements ............................................................... 8 Junior Requirements ......................................................................... 8 Senior Requirements ......................................................................... 8 Participation Requirements ............................................................. 9 Program Expectations ...................................................................... 12 Scholarship Handbook ..................................................................... 12 Century Scholars Organization ....................................................... 13 Executive Committee ....................................................................... 14 Regional Prospective Student Centers .......................................... 15 Campus Resources ........................................................................... 16

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HOWDY

& WELCOME

Dear Century Scholars, This handbook provides information about your Century Scholarship as well as your role within the Century Scholars community. The goal of the Century Scholars Program is to provide the support and resources of Texas A&M University to scholarship students whose high achievements demonstrate readiness to take greater responsibility for their own education. Your designation as a Century Scholar also carries the added distinction of being an Ambassador to the greater community. The role of an Ambassador gives you the opportunity to promote the ideal of responsibility for your own education to students at your former high school so that they will consider Texas A&M University as a possible route to a future of educational opportunities.

Texas A&M University, through the Century Scholars Learning Community, is investing a substantial amount of time and financial support in your education. Your cooperation in carrying out the responsibilities as outlined in this handbook will be one way that your appreciation for this interest and investment can be shown. The Century Scholars Program is dedicated to developing outstanding students into leaders on campus and in their communities through:

Academic excellence, Service to Texas A&M University and to your high school, Leadership development, And Professional Growth

As a participant in the Century Scholars Program, we hope that you find the information in this handbook useful. It not only outlines your responsibilities to the Century Scholars Program throughout your time at Texas A&M University, but also the commitment that the Century Scholars Program coordinators, and the university have to the success of each Century Scholar.

Thanks and Gig‘Em!

Dr. Suma Datta Assistant Provost for Undergraduate Studies Executive Director for LAUNCH Professor, Biochemistry and Biophysics

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PROGRAM

HISTORY

The Century Scholars Program (CSP) is a partnership between Texas A&M University and 108 high schools throughout the state of Texas. Established during the 1999-2000 academic year, the Century Scholars Program is a scholarship and retention program seeking to increase the number of enrolled and retained students from under-represented Texas high schools. The program serves as a four-year learning community in which its students are developed holistically and prepared for the rigors of the academic and professional arenas.

The Century Scholars Program was first implemented in the Office of Admissions. In 2001 the program was moved under the jurisdiction of Honors Programs & Academic Scholarships. This move allowed the program to grow from a recruitment tool into a scholarship and retention program, focusing on the academic and personal success of its students. During the summer of 2010, the Century Scholars Program was repositioned within Scholarships & Financial Aid. Beginning in the fall of 2015, the Century Scholars is back to LAUNCH (formerly Honors and Undergraduate Research). This restructure has opened the program up to additional academic and support resources.

The program was originally established in 1999 with select high schools in the Houston area. It has expanded over the years to further encompass high schools throughout Houston, Dallas/Ft Worth, San Antonio, Central Texas, El Paso and the Rio Grande Valley. Review of current and prospective Century Scholars high schools occurs every year in coordination with the Office of Admissions.

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CENTURY SCHOLARS

HIGH SCHOOLSCENTRAL TEXAS

Akins Ellison (Killeen) John B. Connally John H. Reagan La Vega Manor Mexia Robert M. Shoemaker Sidney Lanier Taylor University (Waco)

SAN ANTONIO Business Careers Communication Arts Dillard McCollum G. W. Brackenridge Harlandale Highlands International School of Americas Luther Burbank L. W. Fox Tech Academy Memorial Oliver W. Holmes Robert E. Lee Sam Houston Sidney Lanier Southside Southwest Thomas A. Edison Thomas Jefferson William H. Taft

DALLAS/FT. WORTH

A Maceo Smith Amon Carter-Riverside Bryan Adams David W. Carter Desoto Everman Franklin D. Roosevelt Grand Prairie Hillcrest Irving Kimball Lancaster Lincoln Mansfield Timberview North Dallas O. D. Wyatt Paul L. Dunbar Skyline South Hills South Oak Cliff Sunset Townview Magnets: - Business & Management - Education & Social Services - Government & Law - Health Professions - Science & Engineering - Talented & Gifted Woodrow Wilson W. W. Samuell

RIO GRANDE VALLEY

HOUSTON Barbara Jordan Booker T Washington Central Senior (Beaumont) Cesar E. Chavez Charles Milby DeBakey - Health Professions Dekaney Elsik Evan Worthing Furr Galena Park G. W. Carver Jack Yates James Madison Jefferson Davis Jesse H. Jones L. V. Hightower Nimitz North Forest Northbrook Ozen (Beaumont) Pasadena Ross S. Sterling Sharpstown South Houston Stephen F. Austin Thurgood Marshall (Missouri City) Westbury Senior Westside Wheatley Senior Willowridge

EL PASO

El Dorado Parkland

Brownsville Porter Donna Harlingen Hidalgo James Pace La Feria La Joya Senior

Lopez Los Fresnos Mercedes Mission Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Pharr-San Juan- Alamo Progreso

Rio Grande City South TX BETA South TX Health Professions Valley View North

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MEET THE

CENTURY SCHOLARS COORDINATORS

Shaton Harris Century Scholars Coordinator

Henderson Hall, Room 114 shaton@tamu.edu

Howdy! I am excited to welcome everyone to the 2017-2018 Century Scholars Program. I had a wonderful first year experience with the program, and I look forward to the second. With the start of the new academic year, I challenge you all to evaluate the direction your life is taking you and to be intentional with the pathway you are creating. Discover who you are as person and create a college experience that is both joyful and fulfilling. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to help you through your journey of self-exploration and self-discovery, making lifelong connections, and becoming leaders. I look forward to getting to know you all! Thanks and Gig ‘ em!

Meredith Dana Graduate Assistant Henderson Hall, Room 114 meredith_dana@exchange.tamu.edu Howdy! My name is Meredith, and I’m second year graduate student in the Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education Master’s program at Texas A&M University. This will be first year working with learning communities and I’m so excited to jump right in! I love talking with students about their academic and career paths, so if you ever want to talk about your future, please feel free to reach out. Be sure to utilize all of the resources that TAMU has for you. You only have 4 years here, so make the most of your time as an Aggie! You are at a truly wonderful university. I can’t wait to meet you and be a small part of your college experience. Gig ‘em Ags!

Achiever

Futuristic

Learner

Activator

Developer

Individualization

Arranger

Learner

Relator

Achiever

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MAINTAINING

SCHOLARSHIP ELIGIBILITY

GRADES The Century Scholars Program requires that students maintain a cumulative grade point ratio (GPR) of 2.75 and not be on conduct or honor code probation with Texas A&M University. Scholarships & Financial Aid will evaluate students’ grade requirements after each regular semester (fall and spring).

ENROLLMENT To continue receiving scholarship payments, all Century Scholars must be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours per full semester at Texas A&M University. If co-enrolled with another institution, students must have 12 credit hours per full semester at Texas A&M University. Students must register for 12 or more hours for their Century Scholars Award to appear on their billing statement.

For Century Scholars entering at Texas A&M University during or after the summer 2013 term (i.e. Class of 2017 and subsequent class years): Students are required to earn 30 credit hours by the end of their first academic year, 60 hours by the end of their second academic year, and 90 hours by the end of their third academic year. An academic year entails the fall, spring, and subsequent summer terms. Dropping a class and/or receiving a grade of F, I, X, or NG will affect the number of hours completed. These students will be allowed to use hours completed at other institutions during the set academic year for the purpose of meeting the 30-Hour Rule, including dual-credit, AP/IB credit, and transfer credit.

For Century Scholars that began their enrollment at Texas A&M University prior to the summer of 2013 (i.e. Class of 2016 and prior class years): Students are required to enroll in and complete a minimum of 12 credit hours per full semester (fall and spring) at Texas A&M. Dropping a class, utilizing a first-year grade exclusion, and/or receiving a grade of I, X, or NG will affect the number of hours completed in a semester. Scholarships & Financial Aid will evaluate students’ compliance with the 30/60/90 hour rule after the 12th class day of the fall semester.

PARTICIPATION Century Scholars staff in LAUNCH will review the participation requirements for all Century Scholars at the end of each regular semester (fall and spring semester). They will contact all students to let them know if they met all requirements or not. For more information about participation requirements, check page 9 of the Century Scholars Handbook.

FRESHMEN

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REQUIREMENTS

• StrengthsQuest™ inventory due August 14 • Freshmen Kick-Off August 21 • Freshmen Orientation August 23 • UGST-181 Century Scholars course completed with a passing grade (85+ points) • One (1) Large Community and One (1) Small Community Meeting per month • One (1) one-on-one meeting with peer mentor per semester • Ten (10) hours community service; Five (5) due December 15 and Five (5) due May 10 • Century Scholars not meeting a cumulative 2.25 financial aid GPR after their first semester will be assigned a Century

Scholars Advisor with whom they will be required to meet until the student’s cumulative GPR is back to 2.25 or higher.

SOPHOMORE REQUIREMENTS

• One (1) Faculty Mentor meeting and follow-up paperwork per semester due December 15 and May 11

• Ten (10) hours community service; Five (5) due December 15 and Five (5) due May 10

• Century Scholars not meeting a cumulative 2.25 financial aid GPR after will be assigned a Century Scholars Advisor with whom they will be required to meet until the student’s cumulative GPR is back to 2.25 or higher. The GPR requirement for scholarship eligibility remains a 2.75 cumulatively.

JUNIOR REQUIREMENTS

• Ten (10) hours community service; Five (5) due December 15 and Five (5) due May 10 • Century Scholars not meeting a cumulative 2.25 financial aid GPR after will be assigned a Century Scholars Advisor with

whom they will be required to meet until the student’s cumulative GPR is back to 2.25 or higher. The GPR requirement for scholarship eligibility remains a 2.75 cumulatively.

SENIOR REQUIREMENTS

• Senior Recognition Ceremony in the Fall date TBD • Five (5) hours community service due December 15

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PARTICIPATION

REQUIREMENTS Century Scholars are expected to fully participate in Century Scholars Programming. Partial or non-participation in the Century Scholars Program (CSP) will result in progressive consequences. The CSP coordinators regularly monitor Century Scholars’ participation.

The programming elements listed on the previous page for each Century Scholars class year are all required. Students are expected to submit their required documents via the Google form no later than 11:59pm of the posted due date or in person to Henderson Hall front desk for the Community Service Form. Please refer to the specific requirements for each cohort, as they will vary.

Advising Meetings

Century Scholars that are not meeting a cumulative financial aid GPR of at least 2.25 are required to meet with an assigned Century Scholars advisor on at least a monthly basis. The advisor will designate an academic success plan to which the student will be expected to follow. The academic success plan will be tailored to the student’s needs and may include, among other things, additional advising meetings, required tutoring, and/or attendance at an academic success workshop. Required meetings with the Century Scholars advisor will continue until the students’ cumulative GPR is back to 2.25 or higher.

Attendance at the Senior Recognition Ceremony is required for all senior Century Scholars. Underclassmen Century Scholars will not be in attendance at this event. Senior

Recognition Ceremony

UGST 181 Course

Freshmen Century Scholars are required to enroll in and complete the Century Scholars UGST-181 course during their fall semester. Students must earn a passing grade to meet scholarship participation requirements.

StrengthsQuest™ helps students learn how to leverage their natural talents to succeed in the classroom and the professional arena. Freshmen Century Scholars will complete the StrengthQuest™ inventory during the summer prior to their enrollment at Texas A&M. They will undergo the initial StrengthsQuest™ training during Freshmen Orientation. http://strengthsquest.com

StrengthsQuest

Ambassador Visits

Century Scholars may choose to conduct ambassador visits to their former high schools. One ambassador visit may account for five (5) community service hours so long as the student participates in Ambassador Training prior to the ambassador visit. Ambassador Training will be conducted by the Century Scholars Program coordinators.

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Community Service

Faculty Office Visits

PARTICIPATION

REQUIREMENTS (CONTINUED)

Century Scholars will be required to complete ten (10) community service hours in an academic year. Documentation will be submitted to Henderson Hall front desk by December 15, 2017 and May 10, 2018. Century Scholars should recognize that the community service requirement allows students the opportunity to give back to the Bryan/College Station (B/CS) community. Therefore, community service hours 1) must be completed within B/CS, 2) must be done for the betterment of the B/CS community, and 3) must be offered through one of the following websites or pre-approved by a Century Scholars Program coordinator (Shaton Harris or John Fierst):

• Texas A&M University’s AggieServe website, http://aggieserve.tamu.edu/

• Volunteer Brazos Valley’s website, http://volunteer.uwbv.org/

Service hours completed on the Texas A&M campus that do not serve for the advancement of the Bryan/College Station community will not count towards the completion of this requirement (CarPool, Reed Arena Clean Up, campus visit host, etc.). Additionally, merely participating in an event such as a 5k race, Relay for Life, or hosting a prospective student overnight is not considered as a benefit to B/CS. When in doubt, Century Scholars should clarify a potential service opportunity in advance with a Century Scholars Program coordinator. Century Scholars are expected to complete five (5) community service hours by December 15, 2017 and five (5) community service hours by May 10, 2018. Senior Century Scholars must complete five (5) community service hours by December 15, 2017.

Second year Century Scholars will select a faculty member to meet with once a semester. This

individual must be a faculty member (not a staff member, academic advisor, teaching assistant, etc.). Many competitive programs, scholarships, etc. require a faculty recommendation and therefore we require students to find a faculty member with whom to meet. A student may meet with 2 different faculty, but consistency is preferred between the two meetings. The follow up forms must be completed through the appropriate Google forms.

Large/Small Community Meetings

First year Century Scholars will meet with their mentor and small community members and with the large community once a month for each full month in a regular semester (September, October, November, February, March, and April). Students must attend all meetings for a semester to meet the requirement.

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As with appeals for grades and hours, the Century Scholars Program allows for an appeals process for lack of participation. Should a Century Scholar choose to appeal their suspension, the student will be expected to submit the appeal in writing by the deadline specified in the suspension email. Late appeals will not be considered.

Appeals Process

Century Scholars Program Removal

Should a Century Scholar choose to be removed from the Century Scholars Program, the student will need to submit in writing a statement that they understand they are forfeiting all benefits of the scholarship program. Voluntary removal from the Century Scholars Program relinquishes all the student’s rights and privileges as a Century Scholars Ambassador and Century Scholars Program participant, including any remaining scholarship payments.

Participation in Century Scholars programming is still required of students on probation or suspension who wish to earn back their scholarships. Lack of participation in a probationary period will result in suspension the following semester. Lack of participation in a suspension period will result in continued suspension of the scholarship.

Probation & Suspension

Periods

One-on-One Meetings

First year Century Scholars will meet one-on-one with their mentor once per semester in both the fall and spring semester.

First year Century Scholars will attend the Century Scholars Kick-Off event on Monday, August 21st from 7:00-9:00 pm in Koldus 110. During this event, students will meet their mentors and small community, and will begin to engage with their fellow Century Scholars.

Century Scholars Kick-Off

Century Scholars Orientation

First year Century Scholars will attend the Century Scholars Orientation event on Wednesday, August 23rd from 9:00am-1:00pm in MSC 2400. During this event, students will further engage with their fellow Century Scholars, learn about the requirements of the Century Scholars Program, and develop an understanding of their personal strengths.

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PROGRAM

EXPECTATIONS

The Century Scholars Program uses email as its primary means of communication with students. Texas A&M University recognizes TAMU email accounts as an official means of correspondence per Student Rule 61. Century Scholars are expected to regularly monitor their TAMU email account (@email.tamu.edu) and should not forward their TAMU email to an alternate email address.

TAMU Email Accounts

Responding Contact

Century Scholars will receive a variety of communications, including email and letters, from the Century Scholars coordinators throughout their time in the program. These communications will relate to important administrative matters. Century Scholars are expected to respond to these communications promptly and by the stated response deadline.

Century Scholars are responsible for updating any changes of address or telephone number through the Howdy portal. Because the Century Scholars Program will use the primary contact information (permanent address and primary phone number) listed in Howdy for each student, it is imperative that students provide up-to-date contact information.

SCHOLARSHIP HANDBOOK

Century Scholars should consult their Scholarship Handbook for information pertaining to the following:

• $1000 study abroad stipend

• Deferment of payment due to internships and/or co-ops

• Summer scholarship payment requests

• Request for scholarship reinstatement

• Request for post-TAMU graduation scholarship

• Incomplete and “X” grades

The Scholarship Handbook can be found at scholarships.tamu.edu.

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CENTURY SCHOLARS ORGANIZATION

Students in the Century Scholars Program (CSP) will have the opportunity to join the Century Scholars Organization (CSO), a recognized student organization comprised of current and former Century Scholars currently enrolled at Texas A&M University.

Membership in CSO is not a requirement of the Century Scholars Program.

The purpose of the Century Scholars Organization is to develop students in the Century Scholars Program holistically and provide leadership development. It will provide Century Scholars with a social environment in which to network with one another. Additionally, CSO will support and assist the Century Scholars Program by helping Century Scholars meet the programmatic requirements of their scholarships.

CSO is dedicated to developing outstanding students into leaders on campus and in the communities through:

Service to Texas A&M University, Fostering a sense of community, Functioning with a “Pay it Forward” philosophy Leadership development, and Professional growth

Current and former Century Scholars enrolled at Texas A&M University will have the opportunity to become a member of CSO through the payment of dues, and verification of Century Scholars status.

Executive Committee members are selected to one-year terms (May-April) by an application and interview process. The call for applications takes place during the spring semester. Interviews are conducted in March and April with selections being announced prior to the end of the spring semester. Applications for Freshmen Class Chair are made available during the summer, with interviews taking place at the beginning of the fall semester.

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EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Relator Learner

Activator Achiever

Deliberative

Executive Chair Jose Luis Sanchez ‘19 Pasadena High School

Individualization Futuristic

Competition Analytical

Belief

Mentor Training Chair Kevin Trevino ‘18 Valley View High School

Restorative Focus

Positivity Achiever Learner

Finance Chair Sarah Gonzales ‘20 Donna High School

Communication Adaptability

Empathy Includer Achiever

Communications Chair Natalia Sanchez ‘20 South Texas High School for Health Professions

Empathy Deliberative

Relator Competition Restorative

Community Service Chair Matthew Conrad ‘20 Ellison High School

Woo Communication

Competition Maximizer

Self-Assurance

Community Relations Chair Jessica Peralta ‘18 Justin F Kimball High School

Freshman Class Chair TBA

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REGIONAL

PROSPECTIVE STUDENT CENTERS

Century Scholars are expected to contact the Regional Prospective Student Centers (PSCs) at least two weeks in advance of an Ambassador Visit. A staff member from a Regional PSC may choose to accompany a Century Scholar on an Ambassador Visit.

Central Texas

109 J. Koldus Building College Station, TX 77843 979.458.0950

Dallas/Ft Worth

3900 Arlington Highlands Blvd, Suite 273 Arlington, TX 76018 817.375.0960

Houston

1225 North Loop West, Suite 200 Houston, TX 77008 713.454.1990

Rio Grande Valley

5237 North 23rd Street McAllen, TX 78504 956.683.8647

San Antonio

40 Northeast Loop 410, Suite 605 San Antonio, TX 78216 210.212.7016

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CAMPUS

RESOURCES

Academic Success Center

979.458.4900

http://successcenter.tamu.edu/

Admissions

979.845.1031

http://admissions.tamu.edu

Association of Former Students

979.845.7514

http://www.aggienetwork.com

Career Center

979.845.5139

http://careercenter.tamu.edu

Colleges - Undergraduate Programs Agriculture & Life Sciences

979.845.4747

http://aglifesciences.tamu.edu

Architecture 979.845.1221 http://www.arch.tamu.edu Dwight College of Engineering 979.845.1312 http://engineering.tamu.edu Education & Human Development 979.845.5311 http://www.cehd.tamu.edu General Academic Programs 979.845.5916 http://gest.tamu.edu Geosciences 979.845.3651 http://geosciences.tamu.edu Liberal Arts 979.845.5143 http://liberalarts.tamu.edu Mays Business School 979.862.3850 http://mays.tamu.edu School of Public Health 979.845.2387 http://sph.tamhsc.edu Science 979.845.7361 http://www.science.tamu.edu Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences 979.845.5051 http://vetmed.tamu.edu

Health Science Center

TAMU Baylor College of Dentistry

214.828.8100

http://www.tamhsc.edu http://bcd.tamhsc.edu

College of Medicine 979.436.0200 http://medicine.tamhsc.edu College of Nursing 979.436.0110 http://nursing.tamhsc.edu Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy 361.221.0648 http://pharmacy.tamhsc.edu School of Public Health 979.845.2387 http://sph.tamhsc.edu

LAUNCH

979.845.1957

http://launch.tamu.edu

Moneywise Aggie

979.458.5325

http://moneywise.tamu.edu

Measurement & Research Services

979.845.0532

http://www.tamu.edu/mars

Multicultural Services

979.845.4551

http://dms.tamu.edu

Off-Campus Housing

979.845.1741

https://aggiesearch.tamu.edu

On-Campus Housing (Residence Life)

979.845.4744

http://reslife.tamu.edu

Professional School Advising

979.847.8938

http://opsa.tamu.edu

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CAMPUS

RESOURCES (CONTINUED)

Registrar 979.845.1031 http://registrar.tamu.edu

Scholarships & Financial Aid

979.845.3236

http://financialaid.tamu.edu

School of Law

817.212.4000

http://law.tamu.edu

Student Activities

979.845.1133

http://stuact.tamu.edu

Student Business Services

979.845.8137

http://sbs.tamu.edu

Student Conduct Office

979.847.7272

http://studentlife.tamu.edu/sco

Student Counseling Services

979.845.4427

http://scs.tamu.edu

Student Disability Services

979.845.1637

http://disability.tamu.edu

Student Employment Office

979.845.0686

http://jobsforaggies.tamu.edu

Study Abroad

979.845.0544

http://studyabroad.tamu.edu

Texas A&M Foundation

979.845.8161

http://giving.tamu.edu

University Police Department (emergency) 911 Dial 9-911 from on-campus landlines

University Police Department (non-emergency)

979.845.2345 http://upd.tamu.edu

Writing Center 979.845.1455

http://writingcenter.tamu.edu

Texas A&M University

LAUNCH: Learning communities

979.845.1957

centuryscholars@tamu.edu

centuryscholars.tamu.edu