Coon Rapids, Minn. - Scholarship recipients are typically smart, dedicated students, which makes them valuable to a college’s recruitment efforts, too. That’s what Anoka-Ramsey Community College (ARCC) has found with its newest scholarship program for students, known as the Increasing Access and Diversity in Computer Science, Engineering and Math (CSEMS) program.

Begun one year ago through a $385,000 grant from the National Science Foundation, the program is designed to help underrepresented populations pursue careers where women and people of color have been underrepresented. It provides scholarships worth up to $3,125 per year to low-income, academically-talented students enrolled in math, engineering, computer science or computer networking and telecommunications (CNET) programs.

Current scholarship recipients met recently with the program’s advisory committee to assist in identifying sources for the recruitment of new scholars.

Anoka-Ramsey Community College’s current science scholars met recently with the scholarship program’s advisory committee to assist with the recruitment of new scholars. Pictured left to right are: Blake Keller, April Taylor, Federico Perez, Joshua Petersen, and Andrew Selin.

“We want bright, focused students to apply for this scholarship, and we figured our current scholars could be a great source of help in locating potential candidates,” says ARCC Dean of Educational Services Cynthia Weishapple.

In addition to funding, scholarship recipients receive support services to promote full-time enrollment and degree attainment. They are also given opportunities to better understand their career options, prepare them academically for those options, and to develop relationships with key businesses and business people in the area.

The application requirements for students include full-time student status, demonstrated financial need, academic potential, enrollment in computer science, computer networking, mathematics, or engineering, and a GPA of 2.0 or above.

The scholarships are awarded each semester, but can apply toward up to four semesters, providing the scholar continues to meet eligibility requirements. The next application deadline is April 1, 2006. For more information on applying for the scholarship, contact Cynthia Weishapple at 763-433-1155, or Cynthia.Weishapple@anokaramsey.edu.

About Anoka-Ramsey Community College
Anoka-Ramsey Community College, with campuses in Coon Rapids and Cambridge, has been a leading provider of higher education and training in the north suburban area of Minneapolis/St. Paul and East Central Minnesota since 1965. Annually, the college serves more than 9,700 learners of all ages as they pursue associate degrees that transfer as the first two years of a bachelor's degree, or certificate programs that lead immediately to rewarding careers. ARCC is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System.