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The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) is the administrator of the Gates Millennium Scholars Program (GMS), which provides services to Gates Millennium Scholars by means of collective efforts of four partner organizations. GMS program staff members at the American Indian Graduate Center Scholars, the Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund and the United Negro College Fund serve students from all fifty states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Discovering the Brightest Stars2008 Annual Report

library science

education

science

Disc

over

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ContentsMessage from Michael L. LomaxMessage from Larry A. Griffith 2Discovering Leaders 3Year in Review 4Making History 5Awards by State 6Institutions 8A Closer Look 16The Impact 18Leadership Activities 20Scholar Services 22Online Scholar Services 23Outreach 24Eligibility & Selection 26GMS Leadership 27Advisory Council & Alliances 28

The Brightest Stars

In this Annual Report, we are proud to introduce you to the Gates Millennium Scholars Program’s activities for the past year. Every year, we award 1,000 scholarships to incoming first-time college matriculants. They are among America’s best and brightest. They represent the hopes and dreams of millions of people. They will return from their educational experience to extraordinary careers and leadership positions. At the same time, they will get involved in their communities and help them to become better places to live and work. They are the brightest stars – each a bright and shining promise for America’s future.

engineering

art history

Message from Michael L. Lomax

Dear Friends:

This Annual Report of UNCF’s Gates Millennium Scholars Program (GMS) is a report of success. Thanks to the support of GMS, the 888 seniors who received their college degrees last spring and the 1,000 freshmen who will begin college this fall with GMS scholarships, bring the total of GMS recipients to over 12,000 low-income minority students, and the total number of GMS-supported graduates to more than 6,000. That adds up to more than 6,000 scientists, teachers, entrepreneurs, doctors and nurses, and more than 6,000 parents, good neighbors and good citizens. As the GMS program’s administrator, UNCF—the United Negro College Fund—is proud of having played a critical part in helping these young men and women’s success. Beyond that, we are especially grateful to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for the support and the greatness of vision that made the entire program both possible and successful.

As impressive and heartening as the success of the 12,000 Gates Scholars is, the impact of the GMS program extends still farther. Their success validates the conviction that underlies UNCF’s core mission of minority education, the conviction that minority and low-income students, given the financial and social support that many students can take for granted, can succeed in college and beyond at rates that rival and even exceed those of the general population of college students.

UNCF celebrates the accomplishments of the more than 12,000 Gates Scholars and the wisdom and generosity of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in making this program possible. It is the GMS program’s mission to continue to serve those students as it has for almost a decade. It is UNCF’s mission to extend to all minority and low-income students the opportunities that GMS has opened for Gates Scholars.

President & CEOUnited Negro College Fund, Inc.

1

Message from Larry A. Griffith

Dear Friends:

2008 was an excellent year for the Gates Millennium Scholars Program (GMS). I am excited by the growth GMS has experienced in our efforts to enable academically successful, low-income and first-generation students of color to achieve their goal of pursuing higher education. Students submitted over 13,000 applications for the 2008 GMS freshman class. Applicants increased by seven percent, underscoring that there are thousands of students who need financial assistance to become the bright stars that will make a difference in our nation’s future.

As the nation’s leading scholarship program, GMS has awarded over $425 million in scholarships since its inception and our scholarship serves high-achieving students from all fifty states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Even with our national reach, GMS recognizes there are untapped populations of students who are unaware of what it takes to be academically ready for post-secondary education and to be competitive for scholarship selection. We welcome your assistance and encourage you to direct students, parents and school counselors to join our online communities at www.gmsp.org. Each of those groups will find information and techniques at the site that help to prepare students for college and for the GMS application and other scholarships.

Among the program’s greatest strengths is that the GMS scholarship is more than a transactional experience. As the annual report highlights, GMS staff members at each partner organization guide Scholar leaders toward new achievements through a wide variety of Leadership Development experiences including Academic Empowerment services that contribute to retention; Graduate School Institutes that pave the way to post-baccalaureate study; Mentoring experiences that provide peer and alumni support for personal achievement; and online tools and resources that allow Gates Millennium Scholars and Alumni to connect with career and internship opportunities, as well as connect with each other in a virtual community.

Thank you for your support of the Gates Millennium Scholars Program’s goals and please join us in celebrating our Scholars’ extraordinary accomplishments as we continue to develop Leaders for America’s Future™.

Vice President, UNCFGates Millennium Scholars Program

public health

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Discovering LeadersLeaders for America’s Future™

The Gates Millennium Scholars Program (GMS), funded by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, was established in 1999 to provide outstanding low-income African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific Islander American, and Hispanic American students with an opportunity to complete an undergraduate college education in any discipline they choose. Continuing Gates Millennium Scholars may request funding for a graduate degree program in one of the following discipline areas: computer science, education, engineering, library science, mathematics, public health or science. The goal of GMS is to promote academic excellence by providing thousands of outstanding students, who have significant financial need, the opportunity to reach their full potential.

The GMS Scholarship Award Provides:

• Support for the cost of education by covering unmet need and self-help.

• Renewable awards for Gates Millennium Scholars that

maintain satisfactory academic progress. • Graduate school funding for continuing Gates

Millennium Scholars in the areas of computer science, education, engineering, library science, mathematics, public health or science.

• Leadership development programs with distinctive

personal, academic and professional growth opportunities.

The GMS scholarship means that not only am I given the opportunity to better myself, but it also allows me the opportunity to better the Hispanic community as a whole and become a proper role model for generations to come.Martha Manzanarez, Houston, TX, GMS Class of 2008

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journalism 2007 Year in ReviewAbout The New Gates Scholars

• 97 percent completed their Nominee Personal Information Form (NPIF) online

• 72 percent found out about the program through their schools, their friends or the Fastweb Scholarship Search

• 35 percent live in the western United States• Students have a 3.76 high school grade point average• 66 percent are female

Their Top 5 School Districts

• Los Angeles Unified, California• New York Public Schools, New York• City of Chicago District 299, Illinois• Dade County School District, Florida• Gallup-McKinley County Schools, New Mexico

About Their Selected Schools

• 82 percent will attend their first choice institution• 63 percent are first-generation college students• Class of 2008 Gates Millennium Scholars are going to

361 different colleges and universities Top 10: University of California-Los Angeles, Stanford University, University of California-Berkeley, University of Texas-Austin, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of New Mexico, Arizona State University, University of California-Davis, University of Washington, Howard University, University of Southern California.

• 47 percent are attending private colleges; 53 percent public universities

• 47 percent are majoring in STEM fields - Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

Current Gates Millennium Scholars

• There are 4,780 current undergraduate & graduate Gates Scholars• Nationwide 761 different colleges and universities are attended by

Gates Scholars• 3.3 is the average GPA of undergraduate level Gates Millennium

Scholars and 3.5 is the average for Gates Scholars at the graduate school level and beyond

• 218 undergraduates transitioned into a Gates funded field• There were 624 new Gates Alumni in 2007

“I appreciate the Gates Foundation sponsoring me and assisting me with study abroad expenses this semester. I hope to be able to continue to serve the world at large.”Suzanne Cade, Tuskegee, AL, GMS Class of 2005

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history

Program Accomplishments Since Inception

• Over 12,000 Gates Millennium Scholars have been funded, representing all 50 states and several U.S. territories.

• Over 5,000 Gates Millennium Scholars have completed their degree.• Gates Millennium Scholars have enrolled in almost 1,500 different colleges and universities.• 37 percent of Gates Millennium Scholars have transitioned into graduate school.• GMS has awarded more than $425 million in scholarships.• Five-year graduation rate of over 78 percent.• Average freshman retention rate 96 percent - sophomore rate 94.8 percent.

Making History

“I’ve had the opportunity to engage in Community Impact programs and other Mentoring Programs that I would not have had the time for if I was worried about the financial expense of my education.”Karen Smith, Rosedale, NY, GMS Class of 2006

Sources U.S. Department of Education National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), BPS: 96/01, Data Analysis System. National Center For Education Statistics, Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), Spring 2006, Graduation Rates com-ponent. Gates Millennium Scholars Program (GMS) 2006 Graduation Rate.

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%

52.3%49.0%

78.2%

GMSIPEDSNCES

Graduation Rates

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statistics Scholarship Awards by StateAK - $112,615(11 students)

Guam - $17,149(1 student)

$0 - $99,999

$100,000 - $249,999

$250,000 - $499,999

$500,000 - $999,999

$1,000,000 - $1,499,999

$1,500,000 - $1,999,999

$2,000,000 - $2,999,999

$3,000,000 - $3,999,999

$4,000,000 - $4,999,999

$5,000,000 - $10,000,000

Virgin Islands - $20,650(1 student)

Puerto Rico - $5,378(2 students)

Federated States of Micronesia - $5,011

(1 student)

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CA - $9,625,411(866 students)

TX - $4,680,748(438 students)

NY - $5,088,467(298 students)

FL - $2,918,498(232 students)

GA - $3,757,686(209 students)

WA - $1,513,817(126 students)

NV - $160,293(10 students)

AZ - $1,905,878(161 students)

HI - $431,704(26 students)

NM - $775,714(96 students)

CO - $944,379(67 students)

ID - $366,796(22 students)

OR - $812,625(54 students)

MT - $198,156(20 students)

WY - $9,437(1 student)

SD - $368,364(39 students)

ND - $128,024(12 students)

WI - $427,107(34 students)

WV - $34,102(2 students)

PA - $1,668,722(129 students)

VT - $37,005(5 students)

ME - $59,518(8 students)

NH - $242,992(36 students)

NE - $1,130,754(59 students)

KS - $383,495(29 students)

OK - $2,145,324(205 students)

IA - $246,391(25 students)

MI - $1,238,846(93 students)

MO - $770,970(44 students)

WI - $427,107(34 students)

IL - $1,771,395(117 students)

NJ - 279,756(48 students)

SC - $497,799(38 students)

TN - $656,942(51 students)

NC - $1,072,853(145 students)

VA - $760,843(68 students)

MD - $1,180,918(68 students)

AR - 247,797(24 students)

AL - $925,322(78 students)

MS - $421,074(41 students)

MA - $2,268,862(242 students)

LA - $759,298(61 students)

IN - $695,338(49 students)

OH - $679,502(52 students)

KY - $156,800(13 students)

DE - $73,550(3 students)

RI - $539,856(62 students)CT - $501,455

(67 students)

DC - $2,051,713(112 students)

UT - $308,935(26 students)

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economics

mathematicsInstitutions AttendedAlaska

University of Alaska AnchorageUniversity of Alaska Fairbanks University of Alaska Southeast

Alabama

Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical UniversityAlabama State UniversityAuburn UniversityHuntingdon CollegeJacksonville State UniversityOakwood CollegeSamford UniversityThe University of AlabamaThe University of West AlabamaTroy UniversityTuskegee UniversityUniversity of Alabama at BirminghamUniversity of Alabama in HuntsvilleUniversity of MobileUniversity of MontevalloUniversity of South Alabama

Arkansas

Arkansas State UniversityArkansas Tech UniversityHendrix CollegeJohn Brown UniversityPhilander Smith CollegeSouthern Arkansas UniversityUniversity of Arkansas at Little RockUniversity of Arkansas at Pine BluffUniversity of Arkansas Main CampusUniversity of Central Arkansas

Arizona

Arizona State University MainArizona State University WestCentral Arizona CollegeCoconino County Community CollegeDeVry University - Phoenix CampusEmbry-Riddle Aeronautical University- Prescott CampusGrand Canyon UniversityMesa Community CollegeNorthern Arizona UniversityPima County Community College DistrictThe Art Center Design CollegeUniversity of Advancing Computer TechnologyUniversity of ArizonaUniversity of PhoenixYavapai College

California

Alliant International University-San DiegoAntioch University Southern CaliforniaArgosy University/Orange CountyAzusa Pacific UniversityBiola UniversityCalifornia College of the ArtsCalifornia Institute of TechnologyCalifornia Lutheran UniversityCalifornia Polytechnic State University- San Luis ObispoCalifornia State Polytechnic University- PomonaCalifornia State University-BakersfieldCalifornia State University-ChicoCalifornia State University-Dominguez HillsCalifornia State University-East BayCalifornia State University-FresnoCalifornia State University-FullertonCalifornia State University-Long BeachCalifornia State University-Los AngelesCalifornia State University-NorthridgeCalifornia State University-SacramentoCalifornia State University-San MarcosCalifornia State University-StanislausChapman University

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Institutions AttendedClaremont Graduate UniversityClaremont McKenna CollegeDeVry University - Fremont CampusDominican University of CaliforniaEl Camino CollegeHumboldt State UniversityLoma Linda UniversityLoyola Marymount UniversityMills CollegeMount Saint Mary’s CollegeNational UniversityOccidental CollegePepperdine UniversityPitzer CollegePoint Loma Nazarene UniversityPomona CollegeSaint Mary’s College of CaliforniaSamuel Merritt CollegeSan Diego State UniversitySan Francisco State UniversitySan Jose State UniversitySanta Clara UniversityScripps CollegeSimpson UniversityStanford UniversityThe Art Institute of California-Los AngelesThomas Aquinas CollegeUniversity of California, San DiegoUniversity of California-BerkeleyUniversity of California-DavisUniversity of California-IrvineUniversity of California-Los AngelesUniversity of California-MercedUniversity of California-RiversideUniversity of California-Santa BarbaraUniversity of California-Santa CruzUniversity of LaVerneUniversity of RedlandsUniversity of San DiegoUniversity of San FranciscoUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of the PacificVanguard University of Southern CaliforniaVista Community CollegeWestmont CollegeWhittier College

Colorado

Adams State CollegeColorado Christian UniversityColorado CollegeColorado School of MinesColorado State UniversityColorado State University-PuebloColorado Technical UniversityCommunity College of AuroraCommunity College of DenverFort Lewis CollegeJohnson & Wales UniversityMetropolitan State College of DenverRegis UniversityUniversity of Colorado at BoulderUniversity of Colorado at Colorado SpringsUniversity of Colorado at DenverUniversity of Denver

Connecticut

Albertus Magnus CollegeTrinity CollegeUniversity of ConnecticutUniversity of HartfordWesleyan UniversityYale University

Delaware

Delaware State UniversityUniversity of Delaware

Florida

Argosy University/SarasotaBarry UniversityBethune Cookman CollegeEmbry-Riddle Aeronautical UniversityFlorida Agricultural and Mechanical UniversityFlorida Atlantic UniversityFlorida Institute of TechnologyFlorida International UniversityFlorida Southern College

Florida State UniversityFull Sail Real World EducationMiami-Dade CollegeNova Southeastern UniversityPasco-Hernando Community CollegePolk Community CollegeRollins CollegeSt. Thomas UniversityUniversity of Central FloridaUniversity of FloridaUniversity of MiamiUniversity of North FloridaUniversity of South FloridaUniversity of TampaValencia Community College

Georgia

Abraham Baldwin Agricultural CollegeAgnes Scott CollegeAlbany State UniversityArmstrong Atlantic State UniversityAugusta State UniversityBauder CollegeBerry CollegeBrenau UniversityClark Atlanta UniversityClayton State UniversityColumbus State UniversityCovenant CollegeEmory UniversityGeorgia College & State UniversityGeorgia Institute of TechnologyGeorgia Southern UniversityGeorgia State UniversityKennesaw State UniversityMedical College of GeorgiaMercer UniversityMorehouse CollegeOgeechee Technical CollegeOglethorpe UniversityPiedmont CollegeSavannah College of Art and DesignSavannah State UniversitySouthern Polytechnic State UniversitySpelman College

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Institutions AttendedThe Art Institute of AtlantaUniversity of GeorgiaUniversity of West GeorgiaValdosta State University

Guam

University of Guam

Hawaii

Argosy University/HawaiiBrigham Young University Hawaii CampusChaminade University of HonoluluHawaii Pacific UniversityUniversity of Hawaii at HiloUniversity of Hawaii at ManoaUniversity of Hawaii Kapiolani Community CollegeUniversity of Hawaii Maui Community College

Iowa

Buena Vista UniversityCoe CollegeDrake UniversityGraceland UniversityGrinnell CollegeIowa State UniversityKaplan UniversityUniversity of IowaUniversity of Northern Iowa

Idaho

Albertson CollegeBoise State UniversityBrigham Young University-IdahoIdaho State UniversityLewis-Clark State CollegeNorthwest Nazarene UniversityUniversity of Idaho

Illinois

Benedictine UniversityBradley UniversityColumbia College ChicagoDePaul UniversityDominican UniversityIllinois Institute of TechnologyIllinois Wesleyan UniversityLoyola University ChicagoNorth Park UniversityNortheastern Illinois UniversityNorthern Illinois UniversityNorthwestern Business CollegeNorthwestern UniversityRoosevelt UniversitySaint Xavier UniversitySouthern Illinois University CarbondaleThe Illinois Institute of ArtUniversity of ChicagoUniversity of Illinois at ChicagoUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignWestern Illinois UniversityWheaton College

Indiana

Ball State UniversityBethel CollegeButler UniversityDePauw UniversityIndiana University at BloomingtonIndiana University-Purdue University IndianapolisIndiana Wesleyan UniversityPurdue University Main CampusPurdue University North Central CampusRose-Hulman Institute of TechnologyUniversity of Notre DameWabash College

Kansas

Cowley County Community CollegeEmporia State UniversityHaskell Indian Nations UniversityKansas State UniversityMidAmerica Nazarene UniversityOttawa UniversityPittsburg State UniversitySterling CollegeUniversity of Kansas Main CampusUniversity of Kansas Medical CenterWichita State University

Kentucky

Centre CollegeGeorgetown CollegeKentucky State UniversitySpalding UniversityUniversity of KentuckyUniversity of LouisvilleWestern Kentucky University

Louisiana

Centenary College of LouisianaDillard UniversityGrambling State UniversityLouisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical CollegeLouisiana Tech UniversityLoyola University New OrleansMcNeese State UniversityNicholls State UniversityNorthwestern State UniversityOur Lady of the Lake CollegeSoutheastern Louisiana UniversitySouthern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College at Baton RougeTulane UniversityUniversity of Louisiana at LafayetteUniversity of Louisiana at MonroeUniversity of New OrleansXavier University of Louisiana

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Maine

Bates CollegeBowdoin CollegeUniversity of New England

Michigan

Andrews UniversityCalvin CollegeCentral Michigan UniversityEastern Michigan UniversityFerris State UniversityGrand Valley State UniversityHope CollegeKettering UniversityMacomb Community CollegeMarygrove CollegeMichigan State UniversityMichigan Technological UniversityNorthern Michigan UniversityUniversity of Detroit MercyUniversity of Michigan-Ann ArborUniversity of Michigan-DearbornUniversity of Michigan-FlintWayne State UniversityWestern Michigan University

Minnesota

Capella UniversityCarleton CollegeCollege of Saint CatherineConcordia College-MoorheadMacalester CollegeMinnesota State University, MankatoSaint Olaf CollegeSt. Cloud State UniversityUniversity of Minnesota-DuluthUniversity of Minnesota-Twin CitiesUniversity of Saint ThomasWalden UniversityWinona State University

Massachusetts

Amherst CollegeBoston CollegeBoston UniversityBrandeis UniversityCollege of the Holy CrossEmerson CollegeHarvard UniversityLesley UniversityMassachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health SciencesMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyMerrimack CollegeMount Holyoke CollegeNortheastern UniversityPine Manor CollegeSimmons CollegeSmith CollegeTufts UniversityUniversity of MassachusettsWellesley CollegeWilliams CollegeWorcester Polytechnic Institute

Maryland

Bowie State UniversityJohns Hopkins UniversityLoyola College in MarylandMcDaniel CollegeMorgan State UniversitySalisbury UniversityTowson UniversityUniversity of Maryland BaltimoreUniversity of Maryland Baltimore CountyUniversity of Maryland College ParkUniversity of Maryland Eastern ShoreUniversity of Maryland University CollegeVilla Julie College

Missourri

Central Bible CollegeDrury UniversityMissouri Southern State UniversityMoberly Area Community CollegeRockhurst UniversitySaint Louis College of PharmacySaint Louis UniversityTruman State UniversityUniversity of Missouri - ColumbiaUniversity of Missouri - Kansas CityUniversity of Missouri - RollaUniversity of Missouri - Saint LouisWashington University in St. LouisWebster University

Mississippi

Alcorn State UniversityCoahoma Community CollegeJackson State UniversityMillsaps CollegeMississippi CollegeMississippi State UniversityMississippi University for WomenPearl River Community CollegeTougaloo CollegeUniversity of MississippiUniversity of Southern Mississippi

Montana

Montana State University - BillingsMontana State University - BozemanMontana State University - NorthernMontana Tech of The University of MontanaRocky Mountain CollegeSalish Kootenai CollegeThe University of Montana - MissoulaThe University of Montana - Missoula College of TechnologyThe University of Montana-Western

11

Institutions AttendedNew Hampshire

Dartmouth College

New Jersey

Drew UniversityMontclair State UniversityNew Jersey City UniversityNew Jersey Institute of TechnologyPrinceton UniversityRider UniversityRutgers the State University of New Jersey New Brunswick CampusRutgers the State University of New Jersey Newark CampusSaint Peter’s CollegeSeton Hall UniversityStevens Institute of TechnologyThe College of New JerseyUniversity of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey

New Mexico

Central New Mexico Community CollegeEastern New Mexico University Main CampusITT Technical InstituteNew Mexico Highlands UniversityNew Mexico Institute of Mining and TechnologyNew Mexico State University Grants BranchNew Mexico State University Main CampusNorthern New Mexico CollegeSan Juan CollegeSanta Fe Community CollegeSouthwestern Indian Polytechnic InstituteUniversity of New Mexico Gallup BranchUniversity of New Mexico Main Campus

Nevada

Sierra Nevada CollegeUniversity of Nevada, RenoUniversity of Nevada-Las Vegas

New York

Adelphi UniversityBard CollegeBarnard CollegeCity University of New YorkCity University of New York Bernard M. Baruch CollegeCity University of New York Brooklyn CollegeCity University of New York Hunter CollegeCity University of New York Queens CollegeCity University of New York The City CollegeColgate UniversityColumbia University in the City of New YorkCornell UniversityFashion Institute of TechnologyFive Towns CollegeFordham UniversityHamilton CollegeHofstra UniversityIthaca CollegeLong Island UniversityManhattan CollegeManhattanville CollegeMedaille CollegeNazareth College of RochesterNew York Medical CollegeNew York UniversityPace UniversityPolytechnic UniversityPratt InstituteRensselaer Polytechnic InstituteRoberts Wesleyan CollegeRochester Institute of TechnologySarah Lawrence CollegeSchool of Visual ArtsSiena CollegeSt. John Fisher College

North Carolina

Appalachian State UniversityBennett CollegeCaldwell Community College and Technical InstituteCampbell UniversityDavidson CollegeDuke UniversityEast Carolina UniversityElizabeth City State UniversityFayetteville State UniversityMount Olive CollegeNorth Carolina Agricultural and Technical State UniversityNorth Carolina State UniversitySchool of Communication ArtsUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillUniversity of North Carolina at CharlotteUniversity of North Carolina at GreensboroUniversity of North Carolina at PembrokeWake Forest UniversityWinston-Salem State University

North Dakota

Aakers Business CollegeDickinson State UniversityMayville State UniversityMinot State UniversityNorth Dakota State University Main CampusUnited Tribes Technical CollegeUniversity of MaryUniversity of North Dakota Main Campus

Nebraska

Chadron State CollegeCreighton UniversityNebraska Methodist CollegeUniversity of Nebraska - LincolnUniversity of Nebraska at KearneyUniversity of Nebraska at OmahaWayne State College

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geography

St. John’s UniversityState University of New York at BinghamtonState University of New York at BuffaloState University of New York at Stony BrookState University of New York College at OneontaSuffolk County Community College Eastern CampusSyracuse University Main CampusTeachers College, Columbia UniversityThe New SchoolUnion CollegeUniversity of RochesterVassar CollegeWagner CollegeWells CollegeYeshiva University

Ohio

Baldwin-Wallace CollegeBowling Green State UniversityCase Western Reserve UniversityCedarville UniversityCleveland State UniversityColumbus College of Art & DesignDenison UniversityFranciscan University of SteubenvilleKent State University Main CampusKenyon CollegeMiami UniversityMuskingum CollegeOberlin CollegeOhio University Main CampusThe College of WoosterThe Ohio State University Main CampusThe Ohio State University Newark CampusThe University of Akron, Main CampusThe University of Toledo, Health Science CampusUniversity of Cincinnati Main CampusUniversity of DaytonUniversity of Toledo Main CampusWittenberg UniversityWright State University Main CampusXavier University

Oklahoma

Bacone CollegeCameron UniversityConnors State CollegeEast Central UniversityNortheastern Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical CollegeNortheastern State UniversityNorthern Oklahoma CollegeNorthwestern Oklahoma State UniversityOklahoma Baptist UniversityOklahoma City Community CollegeOklahoma City UniversityOklahoma State UniversityOklahoma State University - Oklahoma CityOral Roberts UniversitySeminole State CollegeSoutheastern Oklahoma State UniversitySouthern Nazarene UniversitySouthwestern Oklahoma State UniversityTulsa Community CollegeUniversity of Central OklahomaUniversity of Oklahoma Health Sciences CenterUniversity of Oklahoma Norman CampusUniversity of Science and Arts of OklahomaUniversity of Tulsa

Oregon

George Fox UniversityLinn-Benton Community CollegeOregon State UniversityPacific UniversityPortland State UniversityReed CollegeSouthern Oregon UniversityThe Art Institute of PortlandUniversity of OregonUniversity of PortlandWestern Oregon UniversityWillamette University

Pennsylvania

Albright CollegeArcadia UniversityArt Institute of PittsburghBloomsburg University of PennsylvaniaBryn Mawr CollegeBucknell UniversityCarnegie Mellon UniversityCheyney University of PennsylvaniaDelaware Valley CollegeDrexel UniversityDuquesne UniversityFranklin & Marshall CollegeHaverford CollegeLa Salle UniversityLafayette CollegeLehigh UniversityLincoln UniversityMansfield University of PennsylvaniaPenn State University ParkRobert Morris UniversitySwarthmore CollegeTemple UniversityUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh CampusUrsinus CollegeVillanova UniversityWashington and Jefferson CollegeWest Chester University of PennsylvaniaYork College of Pennsylvania

Puerto Rico

Universidad Del TuraboUniversity of Puerto Rico at Cayey

Rhode Island

Brown UniversityBryant UniversityProvidence CollegeRhode Island School of DesignRoger Williams University

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health Institutions AttendedSouth Carolina

Charleston Southern UniversityClaflin UniversityClemson UniversityCollege of CharlestonConverse CollegeFrancis Marion UniversityFurman UniversitySouth Carolina State UniversityUniversity of South Carolina ColumbiaUniversity of South Carolina UpstateWinthrop UniversityWofford College

South Dakota

Black Hills State UniversityDakota Wesleyan UniversityNational American UniversityNorthern State UniversityOglala Lakota CollegeSinte Gleska UniversitySouth Dakota School of Mines and TechnologySouth Dakota State UniversityThe University of South Dakota

Tennessee

Belmont UniversityChristian Brothers UniversityFisk UniversityMeharry Medical CollegeMiddle Tennessee State UniversityRhodes CollegeSouthern Adventist UniversityTennessee State UniversityTennessee Technological UniversityThe University of Memphis

Trevecca Nazarene UniversityUniversity of TennesseeUniversity of Tennessee at ChattanoogaUniversity of Tennessee Health Science CenterVanderbilt University

Texas

Abilene Christian UniversityAustin CollegeBaylor UniversityBlinn CollegeDallas Baptist UniversityEast Texas Baptist UniversityHouston Baptist UniversityHuston-Tillotson UniversityLamar UniversityLubbock Christian UniversityMidwestern State UniversityOur Lady of the Lake UniversityPrairie View A & M UniversityRice UniversitySam Houston State UniversitySouth Texas CollegeSouthern Methodist UniversitySouthwestern UniversitySt. Edward’s UniversitySt. Mary’s UniversityStephen F. Austin State UniversityTexas A & M International UniversityTexas A & M UniversityTexas A & M University - CommerceTexas A & M University - Corpus ChristiTexas A & M University System OfficeTexas Christian UniversityTexas Lutheran UniversityTexas Southern UniversityTexas Southmost CollegeTexas State University-San MarcosTexas Tech UniversityTexas Wesleyan UniversityTexas Woman’s University

The University of Texas at ArlingtonThe University of Texas at BrownsvilleTrinity UniversityUniversity of HoustonUniversity of Houston - Clear LakeUniversity of Houston - DowntownUniversity of Mary Hardin-BaylorUniversity of North TexasUniversity of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort WorthUniversity of St. ThomasUniversity of Texas - Pan AmericanUniversity of Texas at AustinUniversity of Texas at DallasUniversity of Texas at El PasoUniversity of Texas at San AntonioUniversity of Texas at TylerUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San AntonioUniversity of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at DallasUniversity of the Incarnate Word

Utah

Brigham Young UniversitySalt Lake Community CollegeSouthern Utah UniversityUniversity of UtahUtah State UniversityUtah Valley State College

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theatre

Virginia

Christopher Newport UniversityCollege of William and MaryGeorge Mason UniversityHampton UniversityJames Madison UniversityKeller Graduate School of Management of DeVry UniversityMarymount UniversityNational College of Business & TechnologyNorfolk State UniversityOld Dominion UniversityRegent UniversityUniversity of RichmondUniversity of VirginiaVirginia Commonwealth UniversityVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityVirginia State University

Virgin Islands

University of the Virgin Islands

Vermont

Middlebury CollegeNorwich UniversityUniversity of Vermont

Washington

Bastyr UniversityCentral Washington UniversityDigiPen Institute of TechnologyEastern Washington UniversityGonzaga UniversityHeritage UniversityNorthwest UniversityPeninsula CollegeSaint Martin’s UniversitySeattle Pacific UniversitySeattle UniversitySouth Seattle Community College

The Art Institute of SeattleUniversity of Puget SoundUniversity of WashingtonWashington State UniversityWestern Washington UniversityWhitman CollegeWhitworth College

Washington D.C.

American UniversityGeorge Washington UniversityGeorgetown UniversityHoward UniversityThe Catholic University of America

Wisconsin

Cardinal Stritch UniversityCarroll CollegeLawrence UniversityMarquette UniversityMount Mary CollegeSaint Norbert CollegeUniversity of Wisconsin-Eau ClaireUniversity of Wisconsin-Green BayUniversity of Wisconsin-MadisonUniversity of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeUniversity of Wisconsin-Stevens PointUniversity of Wisconsin-SuperiorWisconsin Indianhead Technical College

West Virginia

West Virginia University

Wyoming

University of Wyoming

Micronesia

College of Micronesia-FSM

15

A Closer Look

Gates Millennium Scholars

Extensive research by the Institute of Higher Education Policy discovered several indicators of success – both for the GMS programand for the more than 12,000 extraordinary, low-income students ofcolor it has identified and supported since 1999.

• Reduced work and debt burdens.• More options in college choices.• More chances to become engaged and take leadership roles

on campus and in the community.• Enhanced college persistence and completion.• A wider range of choices once they complete college and

move on to graduate schools and careers.

The Specific Advantages

The 2006 national study compared Gates Millennium Scholars versus other low-income, high achieving minority students and foundthese advantages: 1. Our scholars defer loans. Gates Millennium Scholars are much less likely to take out loans,

and when they do borrow, the amounts are smaller. For example, by the third year in college, a little more than half had borrowed any money, compared to more than three-quarters of non-Gates Millennium Scholars.

2. Our scholars work less to finance college costs. Gates Millennium Scholars are less likely to need to work for pay or

to hold off campus jobs. Many who did work reported that they did so to gain experience, rather than the necessity of financing college costs.

3. Our scholars enroll in highly selective colleges. Becoming a Gates Millennium Scholar is associated with higher

rates of enrollment at four-year, private, out-of-state, and highly selective institutions, when compared to schools with more open admission policies.

4. Our scholars are more engaged and involved in leadership. Gates Millennium Scholars show high levels of academic and

community engagement. They discuss ideas with faculty, do schoolwork with other students outside of class, and work on creative projects. They are more likely to participate in residence hall activities, cultural activities that reflect their heritage, tutoring sessions, and religious activities. They’re considerably more likely to participate in community service.

5. Our scholars persist in and complete college. Retention rates are 13 percent higher for Gates Millennium Scholars

who entered college in 2001 and 2002 compared to students not selected as Gates Millennium Scholars. Graduation rates for Gates Millennium Scholars are much higher, as well. After five years, 77.6 percent of Gates Millennium Scholars entering college as a freshman in 2000 and 2001 had completed a college degree.

6. Our scholars enroll in graduate school. Undergraduate Gates Millennium Scholars who graduated from

college in 2004 were substantially more likely to apply and enroll in graduate school. Scholars who enrolled in graduate school are more than four times more likely to choose education as their area of study.

“Everything I have ever worked for was manifested in that acceptance letter. All of the obstacles I have overcome, and all the times people told me I couldn’t do it... I just proved they were wrong.”Claudia Luna-Meza, Blackfoot, ID, GMS Class of 2008

16

“Having the GMS scholarship means the whole world to me because my older sister has it and the opportunity to emulate her is a major accomplishment. I feel much more confident in my endeavors and it brings great assurance to know that someone believes in me.”Shamel Campbell, Bronx, NY, GMS Class of 2008

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foreign affairs

computer science

The ImpactBuilding Value in People

The Gates Millennium Scholars Program is one of the largest and most prestigious scholarship programs in the world. The best and brightest students aspire to become Gates Millennium Scholars. They are highly sought after by colleges, graduate institutions, corporations and community based organizations.

Tapping & Nurturing Potential

The GMS program promotes academic excellence and provides an opportunity for outstanding minority students with significant financial need to reach their highest potential. GMS reduces financial barriers for African American, American Indian/ Alaska Native, Asian Pacific Islander American and Hispanic American students with high academic and leadership promise. It increases the representation of target groups in the disciplines of computer science, education, engineering, library science, mathematics, public health and the sciences – industries where these groups are severely underrepresented. The program develops a diversified cadre of Leaders for America’s Future™, helping excellent students complete bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees.

“I will make everyone in my community and family proud without a doubt. This was really a weight lifted off my family’s shoulders, and I am truly thankful for being selected.”Jasmine Vallejo, San Antonio, TX, GMS Class of 2008

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The Impact

“The GMS scholarship means an opportunity to attend a wide range of schools that I would not have been able to afford.”Chasidy Moon, Ellenwood, GA, GMS Class of 2008

Much More Than Just a Scholarship

For Gates Millennium Scholars, awards represent far more than funding for an education. Seamless support is provided from undergraduate through doctoral programs. For instance, academic empowerment (ACE) services encourage academic excellence. Mentoring services provide academic and personal development. An online resource center delivers internship, fellowship and scholarship information.

Results Speak for Themselves

After eight years of the program, it’s clear: Gates Millennium Scholars excel – in school and in life. They stay in school, have higher graduation rates, are more engaged in their communities, and are better citizens. Gates Millennium Scholars: • Achieve outstanding academic results.• Are more likely to attend the college of their choice.• Have increased opportunities to participate in

community service – and take advantage of them.• Are more likely to graduate from college and seek

opportunities for growth.• Can attend graduate school if desired.• Assume leadership roles on campus, at work and in

their communities.• Are better able to contribute to their community

and society – and contribute to the global economy.

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Ambassador Outreach

Gates Millennium Scholars and Alumni share information about GMS with their high schools and local communities as GMS ambassadors. More than 200 GMS ambassadors conducted outreach in 2007 at over 170 high schools and 60 churches and community organizations.

Service Opportunities Through GMS in Action

A strong commitment to giving back is an inherent part of the GMS community. GMS in Action is a means for Gates Millennium Scholars and Alumni to participate in unique community service activities that showcase their leadership skills.

Development Through New GMS Leadership Academies

Structured as one-day, mini-conferences, the new Leadership Academies deliver continued development for Gates Millennium Scholars and Alumni through workshop sessions delivered by local and national experts. They work toward continued leadership, academic and professional development. They foster increased sense of local and global community engagement and a sense of community within the Gates Millennium Scholar and Alumni community. The first academy was held in 2008 in the Washington, DC metro area with both Gates Millennium Scholars and Alumni.

Raising Awareness Through the Graduate School Institutes (GSI)

During 2007–2008, over 250 Gates Millennium Scholars and Alumni attended Graduate School Institutes, which were held to raise awareness of the seven GMS-funded areas of graduate study. They provided Gates Millennium Scholars with information about career options and present opportunities for networking and mentoring relationships. This past year, GMS collaborated with the following organizations to host GSIs. Public Health GSIs:

• Emory University School of Public Health• George Washington University School of

Public Health and Health Sciences• University of Minnesota School of Public Health• University of Washington School of Public Health

and Community Medicine Library Science GSIs:

• University of Maryland• University of Washington Pre-existing graduate education forums:

• Southern Regional Education Board Institute on Teaching and

Mentoring• Conference of Ford Fellows• 2008 Lone Star Graduate Diversity Colloquium, an annual

conference sponsored by Association of Texas Graduate Schools, that focuses on preparing underrepresented minority students for graduate school.

Leadership Activitiesphysics

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Orientation Through Leadership Conferences

From the instant they become part of the GMS community, new Gates Millennium Scholars are welcomed into the program through participation in student Leadership Conferences. These are energy-infused orientations which focus on the 4 R’s – Rigor, Relevance, Relationships and Responsibility. They provide an orientation into the GMS program and strategies to navigate a college campus. They feature well-known speakers and provide ample opportunity for Gates Millennium Scholars to meet each other. 870 Scholars attended the 2007 Leadership Conferences, 439 attended the Virginia conference and 431 attended Los Angeles conference.

The Growing Leader to Leader Program

Leader to Leader was created to bring together distinguished groups of leaders from diverse organizations to work together on national issues. It develops commitments to partner with GMS in providing leadership opportunities for Gates Millennium Scholars. The organization began with 10 outstanding organizations. Five new members have joined. Members have presented at the GMS Academy and attended Leadership Conferences, the GMS Open House, and other events throughout the country.

Leadership ActivitiesNew Alliance for GMS Opportunities

This new program combines our 15 Leader to Leader organiza-tions and others to provide job openings, internships, fellowships and community service programs for Gates Millennium Scholars and Alumni. Twenty-four organizations currently work with GMS: AXA Boys & Girls Club of America Council for Opportunity in Education Dell Corp. Echoing Green Educational Pioneers Foundation Educational Testing Services Junior Achievement of New York KIPP Leader to Leader Institute NIKE McKinsey NIH/Oxford Cambridge Points of Light Foundation SMDEP NSF Target Corp Teach for America The United Way of America

New Alliance for GMS Opportunities

Volunteers of America The Washington Center The Council of Graduate Schools The Whitehouse Internship Program

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Supporting Gates Millennium Scholars with Academic Empowerment Services (ACE)

ACE supports students in maintaining a high level of academic performance by offering:

• Graduate education planning, including an entrance test fee reduction program.

• Advice for maintaining enrollment status and support through a range of web-based resources.

• Graduate scholarship search and career key, which allows users to dynamically explore career options.

Gates Millennium Alumni are invited to remain active in the GMS community by participating in events, and serving as GMS Mentors, GMS Ambassadors, and regional leaders through the newly created Alumni Committee.

The New Empowering Deferment Plan

New this year, the Empowering Deferment Plan was created to increase the engagement of Gates Millennium Scholars on deferment, and ultimately increase the current GMS graduation rate of over 78 percent. Gates Scholars are kept actively engaged through their attendance at Academies and Graduate School Institutes designed to encourage them to think about next academic steps. There is one-on-one advising, dissemination of information and resources regarding campus and GMS support structures as well as assistance in graduate school planning. Currently, 953 Gates Millennium Scholars are on deferment.

GMS Circles Bring People Together

GMS Circles are Gates Millennium Scholar and Alumni–driven opportunities that bring the GMS community together at all levels for informal events. Gates Millennium Scholars and Alumni form GMS Circles across the country, engage in ways to meet each other and build a campus community.

Gates Millennium Scholars identify others on campus or in their geographic area using the Scholar Website. Activities may be posted, and a virtual community offers forums and dedicated GMS e-mail accounts.

Mentor Training Keeps GMS Ahead of the Curve

In 2007, GMS conducted Mentor Training sessions in Virginia and Los Angeles. These culminated in a half-day workshop, “Leadership for Effectual Global Change,” which emphasized the importance of community service as a pipeline to global leadership. The intensive sessions offered Mentors and Gates Millennium Alumni the opportunity to participate in workshops featuring speakers who are actively working to address some of the world’s most pressing problems. They also offered step-by-step strategies for moving beyond good intentions to action. Because some Gates Millennium Scholars and Alumni are already exercising local and global leadership, these advanced Mentors and Alumni served as session facilitators, demonstrating exactly what it means to be ahead of the curve.

Scholar Services

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“Without having to worry about financial stresses, I’m able to focus on my coursework and am in the top ten percent of students at my school.”Elizabeth Espada, White Plains, NY, GMS Class of 2005

The GMS Scholar Website

Redesigned with input from Gates Millennium Scholars and Alumni, the Scholar Website is a communications vehicle, information and resource center, and a place to exchange information. It also promotes the GMS Mission, fosters net- working and mentoring relationships, and encourages academic and professional endeavors. Ongoing bulletin board postings include announcements about internships, fellowships, jobs, career development, cultural awareness months and services opportunities.

Mentor Match – A New Online Tool

Mentor Match now connects Gates Millennium Scholar and Alumni mentors and protégés. It’s an e-mentoring software tool that supports each phase of the mentoring relationship. Mentors may have up to four protégés, and protégés may have up to five mentors. Freshmen must sign-up as protégés. All other Gates Millennium Scholars and Alumni can sign up as protégés, mentors, or both. The program became available on the Website in February 2007. Separate outreach campaigns encouraged Gates Millennium Scholars and Alumni to join Mentor Match and begin mentoring relationships. Campaigns included e-blasts, promotional materials, and presentations at GMS-sponsored events. Mentor Match now serves 269 GMS mentors and 545 protégés.

The New GMS Scholar Connection

This online community provides relevant and inspiring information for Gates Millennium Scholars at all levels. Targeted, interactive messaging is sent regularly to Gates Millennium Scholars and GMS community members. It’s designed to keep everyone in the loop on issues related to academic, career, and personal success – and ahead academically and professionally. Scholar Connection is a forum that allows Gates Millennium Scholars and Alumni to communicate with one another and staff, to build networks and benefit from level specific messaging that will aid in educational pursuits.

• More than half of the currently enrolled Scholars have registered with Scholar Connection this year (2,674).

• Gates Millennium Scholars and Alumni have accessed Scholar Connection from the Mainland, Hawaiian Islands, China, Persian Gulf and Europe, and engaged in reading 4,805 articles (two articles per user).

• “Claiming your Role” was the most read article in 2007-08 followed closely by “Keys to Freshman Success”.

• 729 user profiles were created resulting in 6,895 profiles viewed and 1,669 messages sent through the program.

The Scholar Connection also helps us reach out and foster Gates Millennium Alumni engagement and create online and regional Alumni communities.

Online Scholar Services

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Outreach ProgramsReaching out to all Students

The Gates Millennium Scholars Program is still relatively new, and outreach is still critical in identifying applicants today and in the future. Activities promote awareness, familiarize applicants with eligibility criteria, and cultivate relationships with organizations, individuals and school systems that can help us serve our mission.

The GMS Early Outreach Program

Targeted at 8th to 12th graders, this allows us to promote the GMS program and our value proposition. It provides students with tools that assist them with the GMS application as well as scholarship and college applications. It also allows students to see the poten-tial benefits of their hard work inside and outside of the classroom. Outreach strategies include: 1. Identifying and collaborating with organizations that work with

low-income students of color to encourage college and scholarship preparation

2. Increasing the number of GMS alliances 3. Continuing to identify additional forums to increase awareness 4. Developing publications in support of the outreach efforts 5. Utilizing GMS Imagine to maximize reach to potentially eligible students

Prospective Scholars, guidance counselors and parents can log onto our GMS Website at www.gmsp.org to register for one of the three online communities. The prospective Scholar community, GMS Imagine, is an online tool that not only informs, inspires, and educates junior and high school students, but cultivates future Gates Millennium Scholars. Messaging is specific to the grade level and ranges in content from choosing the right classes upon going to high school to understanding the difference between public and private universities. Additionally, this messaging is set up on a frequency scale that increases as a student approaches their senior year (and we hope, their completion of a GMS scholar-ship application and selection as a Gates Millennium Scholar). Additionally, counselors can register to receive messages relevant to share with their broader student body. Parents and guardians can register to obtain tips on preparing their child for college and scholarships. Outreach efforts are aggressively conducted year-round. They will help better prepare students for the GMS application process and inform educational and community organizations about the GMS scholarship.

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Reaching out to Young Men

There is a gender gap in Gates Millennium Scholars today, with far more young women than young men selected. That’s why GMS has created a Male Initiative. Gates Millennium Scholars over the past three years are comprised of nearly 69 percent female and 31 percent male. The GMS Male Initiative is designed to close that gap, increasing the pool of males applying for the GMS Program by:

• Strengthening the school-to-college pipeline• Enabling more underrepresented male students to move into

higher education as a result of becoming a Gates Scholar• Increasing the number of male GMS application submissions

and awards• Encouraging retention and graduation as Gates Scholars

To this end, the initiative has several strategies: 1. Build alliances with university and community-based programs

focused on academic enrichment and retention of underrepresented male students

2. Target alliances with male-only high schools and other

organizations that are willing to collaborate and encourage students to apply to become a Gates Millennium Scholar

3. Work with school districts, after-school, and summer-bridge

programs to provide outreach for the GMS Program 4. Continue the GMS Bridge Builder Series. These forums bring

together middle- and high-school age young men and Gates Millennium Scholars in discussions about preparation and the importance of post secondary education and the GMS program

5. Provide targeted outreach and support to potential male

applicants through the GMS Ambassadors Program 6. Utilize the GMS Imagine online community to help young men

plan ahead for college, and familiarize themselves with GMS eligibility criteria

The GMS Male Initiative is a strong support network. The staff develops targeted graduation and retention strategies, and encourages early submission of the application package. They communicate GMS program information and benefits, academic enrichment tools and resources, leadership opportunities, and community outreach activities.

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A Gates Millennium Scholar award is a high honor and privilege for outstanding, low-income African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific Islander American, and Hispanic American students. The application process is

highly competitive.

Eligible Students

Nominees must meet all eligibility requirements. Students are eligible to be considered for a GMS scholarship if they:

• Are African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific Islander American or Hispanic American.

• Are a citizen, national or legal permanent resident of the United States.

• Have attained a cumulative high school GPA of 3.3 on an unweighted 4.0 scale or have earned a GED.

• Will be enrolling for the first time at a U.S. accredited college or university as a full-time, degree-seeking, first-year student

• Have demonstrated leadership abilities through participation in community service, extracurricular, or other activities.

• Have completed and submitted all required forms by the deadline.

• Meet the Federal Pell Grant eligibility criteria.

Federal Pell Grants typically are awarded to families that demonstrate significant financial need. Eligibility for a Federal Pell Grant is a function of many factors, including dependency status, family income, family size, and the number of students in the family.

Student Evaluation & Scholarships

Gates Millennium Scholars are evaluated by independent readers according to three primary criteria:

• Academic achievement• Community service• Leadership potential

Those selected as Gates Millennium Scholars receive funds based on financial need. Based on the students financial aid award letter and GMS awarding policies, the GMS scholarship funds a student’s unmet need based on their cost of attendance including tuition, room, board, books, meals and fees. Scholarships for the undergraduate award may be renewed annually based on satisfactory academic progress. Support for graduate degrees may be pursued for computer science, education, engineering, library science, mathematics, public health and science.

Nominators & Recommenders

Students must be both nominated and recommended for consideration of a GMS scholarship award. Nominators and recommenders play a major role in the process. In order to serve as a student’s nominator, the individual must be a high school principal, guidance counselor, teacher, higher education representative, or any professional educator who has had meaningful contact with a student—including professional staff at a scholarship fund, educational agency, or outreach program. Relatives may not serve as nominators. If the individual has agreed to serve as the student’s nominator and is also familiar with the student’s non-academic activities, then the nominator may also serve as the nominee’s recommender. A recommender must know the nominee and be familiar with his or her community service and leadership activities. For instance, a recommender could be a supervisor at work, a community group leader, or another adult who is familiar with the nominee’s non-academic activities. Relatives may not serve as recommenders. For more information, see the eligibility criteria at www.gmsp.org.

Eligibility & Selectionaccounting

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Led by an Experienced Team

GMS is managed through a unique partnership and collective effort of four Partner organizations.

United Negro College Fund (UNCF)

As the nation’s oldest and most successful minority higher educa-tion assistance organization, UNCF’s mission is to provide financial support to its 39 member institutions and increase minority degree attainment by reducing financial barriers to college. UNCF institutions and other historically black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding 25 percent of African American baccalaureate degrees. UNCF administers more than 300 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship programs, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. Today, UNCF supports more than 65,000 students at over 900 colleges and universities across the country.

The Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF)

HSF is the nation’s leading organization supporting Hispanic higher education. HSF was founded in 1975 with a vision of strengthening the country by advancing college education among Hispanic Americans – the largest minority segment of the U.S. population. In support of its mission to double the rate of Hispanics earning college degrees, HSF provides the Latino community with more college scholarships and educational outreach support than any other organization in the country. Headquartered in San Francisco, HSF has opened regional offices in Southern California, the Southwest, the Southeast, the North-east and the Midwest. During its 31-year history, HSF has awarded more than 78,000 scholarships totaling $195 million to Latinos from all 50 states, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam. HSF scholars have attended more than 1,700 colleges and universities.

The American Indian Graduate Center Scholars (AIGC)

AIGC was founded to help open doors to graduate education for American Indians and to help tribes obtain the educated Indian professionals they need to become more self-sufficient and to exercise their rights to self-determination. Founders Robert L. Bennett (Wisconsin Oneida) and John C. Rainer (Taos Pueblo) created a program to assist American Indian college graduates to continue their education at the masters, doctorate and professional degree level. The non-profit organization was established in 1969.

The Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund (APIASF)

APIASF is based in Washington, DC, and is the country’s largest non-profit organization devoted solely to providing scholarships for Asian and Pacific Islander Americans. Since its formation in 2003, APIASF has distributed more than $730,000 in one-time scholarships to high-school students in the United States, the Freely Associated States and the United States Territories who are entering college for the first time. Supporters of APIASF include members of the general public and a wide spectrum of community and professional leaders, organizations and corporations.

GMS Leadership

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information technology

Advisory Council & AlliancesAdvisory Council

The GMS Advisory Council has six members: five members are from higher education and one member represents the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Advisory Council members include: 1. Dr. Gilberto Cardenas, Assistant Provost,

Institute of Latino Studies at University of Notre Dame 2. Dr. David Chang, Chancellor, Polytechnic University 3. Mr. James Larimore, Dean of Students,

Swarthmore College 4. Dr. Piedad Robertson, former President,

Education Commission of the States 5. Dr. David V. Taylor, former Provost, Morehouse College 6. James H. Shelton, III, Program Director, Education,

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Credits

PhotographySolid Image, Joy Coleman, Jared Griffin, Sheena Imo, Donna Lacuesta Pascua, Christina Wong Poy and Zagal Photography

Join Our Alliance

Our slogan, “Leaders for America’s Future™” clearly defines the high expectation we have for Gates Millennium Scholars. That is why we need to reach into every school and every family to find the thousand points of light we seek every year. Will you join our alliance? Identify promising scholars? Promote awareness of the Gates Millennium Scholars Program?

Contact Us

The Gates Millennium Scholars Program is administered by: United Negro College Fund, Inc.8260 Willow Oaks Corporate DriveP.O. Box 10500Fairfax, VA 22031

Toll-Free Phone: 1-877-690-GMSP (4677)Public Relations Phone: 1-703-205-2080Fax: 1-703-205-2079

e-mail: info@gmsp.orgwebsite: www.gmsp.org

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ContentsMessage from Michael L. LomaxMessage from Larry A. Griffith 2Discovering Leaders 3Year in Review 4Making History 5Awards by State 6Institutions 8A Closer Look 16The Impact 18Leadership Activities 20Scholar Services 22Online Scholar Services 23Outreach 24Eligibility & Selection 26GMS Leadership 27Advisory Council & Alliances 28

The Brightest Stars

In this Annual Report, we are proud to introduce you to the Gates Millennium Scholars Program’s activities for the past year. Every year, we award 1,000 scholarships to incoming first-time college matriculants. They are among America’s best and brightest. They represent the hopes and dreams of millions of people. They will return from their educational experience to extraordinary careers and leadership positions. At the same time, they will get involved in their communities and help them to become better places to live and work. They are the brightest stars – each a bright and shining promise for America’s future.

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The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) is the administrator of the Gates Millennium Scholars Program (GMS), which provides services to Gates Millennium Scholars by means of collective efforts of four partner organizations. GMS program staff members at the American Indian Graduate Center Scholars, the Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund and the United Negro College Fund serve students from all fifty states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Discovering the Brightest Stars2008 Annual Report

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