College Park Scholars

College Park Scholars is a program for academically talented freshmen and sophomores at the University of Maryland, College Park. Freshmen are invited to participate can choose to matriculate into one of 11 interdisciplinary programs. Each program accepts about 75 students at the beginning of the Fall Semester. The 11 programs are all housed in the Cambridge Community, giving all Scholars a chance to live with the students in their program in one of 5 dorms on the north side of campus. Each Scholars program is directed by a faculty member, each an expert in their field at the University of Maryland.

1994 – The first class of Scholars begins, with 450 students in one of four programs: Scholars to the Arts, International Studies, Life Sciences, and the International Studies program.

1995 – Three new scholars programs are inaugurated: Advocates for Children, Environmental Studies, and Public Leadership. Centreville Hall becomes a dorm in the Scholars community. The Scholars Ambassadors Team is started, allowing Scholars to participate in leadership activities as well as recruitment for the program.

1996 – The first Scholars Service Day takes place. This event has been repeated annually since this date. The Lakeland STARS, a program started to provide tutoring for students from Paint Branch Elementary School, is started by the Advocates for Children Program of Scholars.

1997 – Science, Discovery and the Universe is launched ad becomes a part of Scholars.

1998 – The first Charity Softball Tournament takes place and becomes a tradition in the Scholars community.

1999 – The Cambridge Community Center is opened.

2000 – The first annual Arts Fair takes place, sponsored by the Arts Program.

2003 – The Scholars Student Advisory Board is created.

2004 – The first “Scholars in New York” trip takes place.

2005 – The Scholars Alumni Association is created.

2009 – Earth, Life, and Time changes its name and curriculum, becoming the Science and Global Change program. Environmental Studies likewise becomes Environment, Technology, and Economy.

2010 – In October the 15th class of Scholars were awarded their citations for completing the Scholars program. The Advocates for Children program stopped accepting new members. Instead, the Global Public Health program was created. The Cultures of the Americas program issued its final citations before the program was concluded.

Students are not required to join a Scholars program that is aligned with their major, as the program provides an interdisciplinary education. Students earn their citation after completing both colloquium classes on the theme of their program and their practicum requirement. The practicum is designed to give students the opportunity to apply what they have learned in a real world setting, either through an internship, community service project, or research opportunity. Students who successfully complete the Scholars Program earn a citation on their transcript.

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Wikipedia