KING/CHÁVEZ SCHOLARS
The King/Chávez Scholars Program is designed to attract and retain exceptional incoming* undergraduate scholars to UW-Whitewater. Students come from diverse backgrounds and engage in high impact educational practices and experiences that will adequately prepare them to be leaders that inspire, engage, and transform the UWW campus community and beyond. This program also reflects UW-Whitewater’s commitment to upholding the ideals and expectations of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Cesar Chávez.
Initiated at UW-Whitewater in the fall of 1997, the King/Chávez Scholars Program provides students with a comprehensive first year experience through participation in a residential learning community experience with connected courses. The King/Chávez Scholars Program prepares students for the transition from high school to college, provide peer groups for academic and social reinforcement, provide opportunities for faculty mentorship, introduce undergraduate research and its relationship to classroom and career performance, and create stamina for graduate and professional study. In addition, the program has a history of producing a pool of potential prospects for the McNair Scholars Program, Undergraduate Research Program, University Honors Program, and other high impact practice (HIPS) initiatives while developing campus leaders and mentors.
*Student is currently in their final year of high school when applying.
CAN WE BRAG A LITTLE?
Students receive specialized advising, networking opportunities and connections to internship opportunities.
Students in the program are rewarded a scholarship package worth approximately $2,500 per semester.
The fall transition week assists students with their transition from high school to college through a comprehensive preparation experience and provide them with a peer group for academic and social reinforcement.
King/Chávez Scholars 2022-2023 Recap
Our Services
- Financial Support: Students in the program are awarded a scholarship package worth approximately $2,500/semester.
- Transition Assistance: The King/Chávez Scholars Program prepares students for the transition from high school to college and provides them with a peer group for academic and social development. The program also allows students to develop a relationship with a faculty/staff mentor and introduces students to undergraduate research opportunities, as well as other high impact educational practices.
- Residential Living Experience: Students are placed into the Wells residence hall to live and study among their cohort as part of the King/Chávez Learning Community.
- Student Engagement: Students receive specialized advising, networking opportunities, and connections to internship opportunities.
Program Outline
- Fall Transition Week: Scholars will move into the residence halls the week prior to the start of the fall semester. Scholars will have a comprehensive preparational experience on the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater campus.
- Learning Community: Students participate in 3 connected courses during the fall semester, 1 connected course during the spring semester, and live and study among their cohort in Wells Hall.
- Co-Curricular Programming: Scholars will engage in various activities outside the classroom to prepare them to excel in college, including attending academic lectures, cultural enrichment activities, and exposure to careers with advanced degrees.
- Introduction to Research: Students will be introduced to research, how to write a literature review, and what it is like to present at a poster symposium.
Program Staff
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John Dominguez Jr. Director McCutchan 107 Phone: (262) 472-5330 Email: DomingueJ03@uww.edu |
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Program Coordinator Terri Jones McCutchan 116 Phone: (262) 472-5391 Email: JonesTT25@uww.edu |
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The Fall Transition Week is an event that happens the week before the first week of classes at UW-Whitewater. The week is designed to prep incoming students for their first semester of college. Students have the chance to meet new people, meet faculty and staff, build connections, and learn about important campus resources. Some of the other benefits include:
- Moving into the residence halls early
- Connecting with a student mentor
- Free meals during the week
The Fall Transition Week is packed full with many seminars and info sessions to help prepare students to succeed during the fall semester and beyond.
Students in the King/Chávez program enrolling in linked courses within a learning community benefit through fostering collaboration, strengthening peer connections, and enhancing understanding through interdisciplinary learning. During the fall semester, the King/Chávez Learning Community linked courses include New Student Seminar, a general education core course, and a social sciences course. In the spring semester, students enroll in the King/Chávez Scholars Research Seminar where they begin to develop research projects. Students will develop critical thinking skills, reading strategies, research writing skills, as well as design and structure their own research proposal and poster.
Students that are admitted into the King/Chávez Scholars program are awarded the King/Chávez Scholarship. The scholarship is worth $5,000 and includes a meal plan and academic scholarship. In order for students to maintain their scholarship, they must actively participate in and complete the following requirements of the King/Chávez Scholars Program:
- Attend and actively participate in all sessions of the Fall Transition Week
- Register and complete the connected courses for both fall and spring semester
- Attend advising meetings with King/Chávez Scholars Program staff
- Participate in events and activities hosted by the King/Chávez Scholars Program
- Complete and present a research project at the end of the spring semester
Scholarship Breakdown
| Fall 2025 | Spring 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Academic Scholarship | $1,086 | $1,086 |
| Meal Plan Waiver* | $1,460 | $1,460 |
| Total | $2,500 | $2,500 |
*Meal Plan Waiver based on 14 meals/week and $50 Dining Dollars plan. If a student selects a plan below the amount, they are not refunded the difference. If a student selects a higher amount, they will have to cover the extra charges.
Eligibility Information
The King/Chávez Scholars Program is a merit-based scholarship program for students attending the Whitewater campus in-person. In order to be eligible for the program, students must be an accepted, first semester incoming freshmen and have a minimum of a 3.00 GPA. Preference is given to applicants that are first-generation.
Application Instructions
The application process for the King Chavez program for the 2025-2026 academic year is by invitation. Eligible students will receive a direct application through the SLATE system and will have the opportunity to interview with the selection committee. The application process will begin in mid-November and will close on May 16th or when all interviews and selections have been completed. Preference will be given to first-generation students.
Summer Bridge Program Team Leaders
We are looking for motivated and committed student role models to work during the King/Chávez Scholars Summer Bridge Programs with the incoming 2024-2025 King/Chávez Cohort . Under the supervision of the King/Chávez Director & Program Coordinator, Team Leaders are responsible for supervision and engagement in all activities, workshops, and programmed events with the Freshman students. We are looking for leaders who are committed to making a positive impact in the lives of the new scholars. Team Leaders will provide guidance during the cultural/academic programming, as well as monitoring during recreational events during the evening/night hours, and general problem-solving throughout the summer bridge program. Team Leaders must be committed to being present during trainings and the on-campus transition week (August 23 for training and August 25 - August 30, 2024, for transition week) for the King/Chávez program and attend all sessions. Each Team Leader will be responsible for a group of 6-7 students and must ensure their students attend and participate in each session throughout the week and also lead book discussions.
***Students that are Resident Assistants, FYE Peer Mentors, or have other on-campus jobs that have training/job responsibilities during the week of August 25 - August 30, 2024, are not able to apply due to not being able to commit to being present at all sessions for the week.
King/Chávez Scholars Summer Bridge/Fall Transition Week
The Summer Bridge/Fall Transition Week is a one-week-long program that is designed to help the incoming UW-Whitewater students gain the skills required for a successful transition to college. Students will get to move into their residence halls and experience an on-campus transition. During this week, students will get the opportunity to learn about on-campus resources, programs, research opportunities, and connect with faculty, staff, and other students.
Mentorship and Leadership Expectations
- Represent King/Chávez Program and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in an appropriate and professional manner
- Provide appropriate engagement with students and encourage peer-on-peer relationships to build them up for their academic year
- Interact with Freshman students during summer orientation programs, group peer mentorship meetings, games, and activities
- Promote King/Chávez Scholars Program events while encouraging participation in campus-wide programs and high impact practices (HIPs)
Benefits
- Early move-in for those living on campus
- Meals during the Fall Transition Week
- $600 stipend
Qualifications
- Must be enrolled at least part-time at UW-W and in good academic standing
- Experience working both independently and in a team-oriented, collaborative environment is essential
- Attention to detail as it relates to communication and teamwork
- Ability to keep confidentiality, handle sensitive information is necessary
- Leadership experience on campus or other related work experiences
Application is Currently: CLOSED. If you are interested in becoming a Summer Team Leader, please fill out this interest form. We will contact you with the application once it is open.
Want to learn more about King/Chávez Scholars?
KCScholars@uww.edu