Wayne State University

Aim Higher

Urban Scholars/Leaders

Students

Leaders are not always scholars and scholars are not always able to lead. But when the two come together - scholarship and leadership - great things become possible.

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Overview
The Urban Scholars/Leaders Scholarship Program develops, trains, and retains future Detroit leaders, providing coordinated academic and social support. Created in 2006, the program recognizes and promotes outstanding leaders and scholars from the city of Detroit. The Urban Scholars/Leaders Scholarship Program is a comprehensive program providing talented students with

  • academic support including mentoring
  • educational training
  • community-based service-learning

Recipients of the Urban Scholars/Leaders Scholarship Program receive full tuition support for four years.

What Makes the Program Unique?
Unlike many merit-based scholarships, the Urban Scholars/Leaders Scholarship Program engages students in leadership skills training, coaching, and mentoring provided by upper level students, supportive faculty members, and community leaders from the private and public sectors. The Urban Scholars/Leaders Scholarship Program links scholarship with leadership in order to develop the future leaders of Detroit.

Scholarship Program Curriculum
Students admitted to the Urban Scholars/Leaders Scholarship Program enroll in three required courses in the freshman and sophomore years:

  • College Transition Course
  • The City and Citizenship Course
  • Study Skills/Career Exploration
  • Service-Learning Seminar

In addition to academic preparation, students are exposed to mentoring and shadowing within the university context, and community service and leadership engagement throughout Metropolitan Detroit.

Application Requirements

  • City of Detroit high school students with a GPA between 2.7 and 3.4 are encouraged to apply
  • Students must have earned an ACT score of 17 or higher to be considered.
  • Finalists must complete an on-campus interview with the selection committee.
  • Students with a demonstrated commitment to community involvement or urban issues; genuine interest in learning; and strong speaking, writing, persuasive, and human relations skills will be given preference.
  • Applications to the Urban Scholars/Leaders Scholarship Program must be submitted to the Honors College by March 8, 2011.
  • This scholarship is awarded based on financial need to Detroit residents who graduate from high schools in Detroit.
  • Students apply to the Urban Scholars/Leaders Scholarship Program also must apply to Wayne State University and have an active AccessID and password. To obtain an AccessID, you may apply to WSU online at apply.wayne.edu. If you have already applied and need your AccessID, please contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at (313) 577-3577.
  • If you have additional questions or concerns, please contact the Urban Scholars/Leaders Scholarship Program at (313) 577-9216.

Urban Scholars/Leaders Scholarship Program is generously supported by the Howard Baker Foundation and the Timmis Family Foundation.

For more information, please contact Monita Mungo at momungo@wayne.edu.