USI, EVSC Medical Professions Academy announce partnership, new scholarships

The University of Southern Indiana and the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation (EVSC)  announced new partnership initiatives and scholarship opportunities for the EVSC Medical Professions Academy at a press conference on Wednesday, December 14 at Central High School.

Dr. Linda L. M. Bennett, USI president, and Dr. David Smith, EVSC Superintendent made the announcement to attendees, including representatives from USI and EVSC, as well as students in the Medical Professions Academy.

Bennett addressed those in attendance, including seniors from the academy, about the shortage of and high demand for careers in the medical professions. "Our pre-med program has a strong record of graduates entering medical schools and our College of Nursing and Health Professions has gained a national reputation for excellence across its 11 degree programs," she said. "These new scholarships offer you an outstanding opportunity to continue your studies in health care-related fields."

Smith said the USI EVSC partnership is more than one plus one equals two. "When you take two enterprises…when they come together and combine forces and resources, one plus one equals three things. And, that's what we have here."

Beginning with the spring 2017 semester, USI faculty will be integrated into the Medical Professions Academy curriculum. In addition, the Medical Professional Merit Scholarship was established and will be offered to first-year students in USI's College of Nursing and Health Professions or Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education, who have demonstrated outstanding academic performance in high school, and have successfully completed the EVSC's Medical Professions Academy.

As many as 15 scholarships are available for qualifying students. The scholarships, funded by both the University and the USI Foundation, can be applied toward tuition, books purchased at the USI Campus Store, University services fees, student activity fees, and housing and meal plans. Underwriting from the USI Foundation is made possible through generous donors who made gifts to the recently completed Campaign USI: Elevating Excellence.

The EVSC and Central High School, in partnership with the Project Lead The Way Biomedical Sciences Program, created the Medical Professions Academy for high school students interested in pursuing careers in healthcare and medicine. An integrated science, English, and technology curriculum, paired with hands-on learning and relevant internships and shadowing experiences, prepares students for post-secondary medical programs and college majors. Housed at Central High School, the Medical Professions Academy serves high school students from across the EVSC and works with both USI and Ivy Tech Community College to provide college credit for its participants.

"This new partnership will be cultivated on multiple levels geared toward engaging students on their path to become future healthcare professionals," said Dr. Kevin Valadares, USI associate professor and chair of Health Administration, who worked along with Dr. Julie McCullough, USI associate professor of food and nutrition and assistant dean for Health Professions, as well as Matthew Krampe, a 2007 USI graduate and director of the Medical Professions Academy, to spearhead the new curriculum and scholarships. The partnership includes USI faculty integration into the Project Lead The Way Biomedical Sciences curriculum, pairing EVSC students with USI students for mentoring, and scholarship opportunities for incoming USI students that total more than $80,000 over four years. "This is the type of partnership, focusing on academic excellence, which actualizes USI's mission and strategic goals," said Valadares.

The first scholarships are available for incoming USI freshman for fall 2017 and are renewable up to four years if all requirements are met. There are two categories of scholarships: MPS with Distinction offering $2,000 per year for students entering USI with a 3.5 GPA or higher and maintaining a 3.0 or higher GPA; and the MPS General, offering 1,000 per year for students entering USI with a 3.0 or higher GPA and maintaining a 2.75 or higher GPA.

The deadline to apply for the scholarships is January 16, 2017. Finalist interviews will occur at Central High School and scholarship recipients will be announced in late February.

For more information contact Dr. Kevin Valadares at kvaladar@usi.edu or 812-461-5277.