Diversity Conference Hosts Prospective Graduate Students

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Officers of the 2011-2012 Black Graduate Student Association (from left) Terryl Daniels, committee chair; Devan Ford, committee chair; MarTeze Hammonds, president; Carnita Whimper, parliamentarian; J.C. Colby, treasurer; and (not pictured) Tiffany Gunn, vice president, Leighanna Massey, secretary; and Scott Madry, committee chair.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Eighteen outstanding prospective graduate students will get a chance to see the University of Arkansas up close when the Black Graduate Student Association hosts the Attracting Intelligent Minds Conference from Thursday, Feb. 16 through Sunday, Feb. 19.

Conference attendees will participate in professional development activities, visit specific programs of interest to them, and enjoy social events throughout the weekend. Now in its fifth year, the conference has led several previous attendees to choose the University of Arkansas for their graduate studies.

“The caliber of students who attend the conference increases each year,” said MarTeze Hammonds, president of the registered student organization. “This year’s participants represent a wide reach of schools including Grambling State University, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Hampton University, Morehouse University, Prairie View A&M University, Arkansas Baptist College, North Carolina A&T University, Tennessee State University, Howard University and Alcorn State University.”

The conference is co-hosted by the graduate school and international education. Alfred Dowe, graduate student recruiter for the university, explained that through conferences such as this, prospective students get a first look to see if there is a fit for them with programs here.

“Prospective graduate students will visit many of our departments and programs — talking to faculty and grad students, visiting labs and classrooms, and getting a sense of whether the U of A is right for their graduate studies. This year’s conference participants are interested in the following fields: criminal justice, business administration, journalism, electrical engineering, sports administration, public policy, agricultural economics, agricultural business, health science, and rehabilitation. We’re grateful for the participation and the enthusiasm the programs have shown for helping us host these students, because even more than in undergraduate studies, it is crucial that the student perceives a good fit with a graduate program, since that is where they will spend all of their time in graduate school,” Dowe explained.

Friday’s agenda includes morning professional development sessions, including one by Angela Williams of the career development center; a luncheon sponsored by the Division of Student Affairs, with a keynote address from Charles Robinson, vice provost for diversity; visits to academic departments and programs; and a “Real Talk” session hosted by current graduate student members of the Black Graduate Student Association. Friday evening students will enjoy an evening mixer.

On Saturday students will attend workshops, enjoy a dinner hosted by the Black Alumni Society and attend the Razorbacks basketball game as guests of athletic director Jeff Long. Sunday morning offers an optional morning service at St. James Missionary Baptist Church. University faculty, students and staff from the schools represented, as well as the Black Alumni Society, will help host the visiting students. The Black Graduate Student Association members and the graduate school and international education will also participate. For more information, contact Alfred Dowe at the Graduate School.

For more about the Black Graduate Student Association, see the association’s website.