Minority Communities

These programs may be of special interest to some in minority communities, but participation is not restricted by race or ethnicity.

Academic STEP Program

STEP participants engage in weekly hands-on research and/or clinical learning experiences. These learning opportunities are structured and scheduled around Wednesday and Saturday sessions. Sessions meet every Wednesday (the City School District's early dismissal day) from 3 to 5 p.m. and two Saturdays each month from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. On Wednesday, participants are introduced to basic laboratory research skills by examining different aspects of biological sciences. During Saturday sessions, STEP participants are exposed to academic enrichment opportunities designed around instruction in math, science, problem-based learning (PBL), and test taking. In addition, the Saturday sessions provide opportunities for special projects, speakers, group discussions and group presentations. These experiences are arranged to link and give meaning to Wednesday sessions and to expand participants' learning as they explore relationships between health and science related topics/issues, academic achievement and career development. The Academic STEP runs from November to May and application packages are available beginning each September.
Web/contact: www.urmc.rochester.edu/smd/oema
Nathaniel Holmes, Ph.D., Office of Medical Education, School of Medicine and Dentistry

Finger Lakes Regional Poison and Drug Information Center at the University of Rochester Medical Center

The Poison and Drug Information Center provides emergency management of accidental and intentional poison ingestions as well as drug and lactation information services to over 28,000 callers from the Finger Lakes region each year. The Center also provides poison prevention literature, resources, and facilitator training for child care providers, parents, grandparents, educators, community leaders, and health professionals who work with pre-school children. The Center, which serves a 12-county area, offers an Occupational and Environmental Toxicology Clinic available by primary care physician referral. TTY and translation services are available. Speakers for professional organizations or agencies are also available. The poison center has recently been awarded a grant to address special needs of some populations which allows for presentations specifically regarding deaf and migrant worker populations.
John Benitez, M.D., M.P.H., Managing Director/Assoc. Medical Director, Ruth A. Lawrence, M.D., Medical Director

NSBE Pre-College Initiative

Members of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) often visit schools and bring students to campus to discuss the importance of a college education, explore the various fields of engineering and the physical sciences, and encourage academic excellence.
Web/contact: 275-4155
School of Engineering Dean's Office

On Track to Engineering Pre (OTEPP) Program

In a unique collaboration between the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and the Baden Street Settlement, 25 City of Rochester high school students are enrolled in a 3-year introduction to engineering opportunity. These students, initially selected through the City of Rochester's Good Grades Pay program, spend the academic year participating in various hands-on explorations let by engineering students and faculty. In order to stimulate their enthusiasm about engineering and science, these select students also receive tutoring to enhance their math and science achievement, and practice written and oral communication skills to enrich their command of the English language, in addition to touring local industries to learn more about engineering and its application.
Web/contact: 275-4155
School of Engineering Dean's Office

PLUS Award Scholarship

The PLUS Award Scholarship provides a limited number of Rochester City School students, who meet specific criteria, the opportunity to take a class for college credit at the University of Rochester during the fall or spring semester. PLUS Award Scholarships covers 100 percent tuition for either a 2-credit or 4-credit course offered in the College of Arts, Sciences and Engineering. Detailed course descriptions may be found on our Web site. Interested students may obtain information and an application by contact Office of Special Programs.
Web/contact: www.rochester.edu/learning/planning/ 275-2344
Gayle Jagel, Director, Office of Special Programs

Project Link

Created by several Rochester community organizations and the Department of Psychiatry at the Medical Center. Case advocates at Project Link provide aggressive outreach to multicultural consumers with serious mental illness who are at risk for, or involved with, the criminal justice system. The project has reduced the number of days in jail and in the hospital for participants.
John Wegman

Puerto Rican Youth Development

Wilson Day participants worked at Puerto Rican Youth Development for their day of service.
Web/contact: www.sa.rochester.edu/csn/
Community Service Network

SHPE High School Outreach Conference

Members of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) offer a one-day conference for high school students during October, National Hispanic Heritage Month. This conference serves to motivate these students to strive for academic excellence in mathematics and science so that they can attend college and obtain a degree in science, math or engineering. Program includes cultural activities, engineering activities, and college preparation presentations.
Web/contact: 275-4155
School of Engineering Dean's Office

Strong Center for Developmental Disabilities (SCDD)

The SCDD provides training to assist health careers of of individuals who want to provide care to those with developmental disabilities.
Web/contact: www.urmc.rochester.edu/gchas/div/scdd

Time for Bows

A model of urban string music education that is being developed through a collaboration between the Eastman School of Music and the Rochester City School District. The project involves children at the Enrico Fermi Elementary School (#17) in Rochester, where 98 percent of the students live below the federal poverty line. Teams of Eastman music education majors, applied string majors, and faculty members teach the students how to play the violin, viola, cello, and bass, using emergent methodology intended to take advantage of the strengths that these students bring to the classroom.
Louis Bergonzi

Content last modified: Thursday, 01-Jul-2004 14:19:14 EDT