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#WeAreMVP

Published onDec 09, 2019
#WeAreMVP
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Multicultural Vision Program

The Multicultural Vision Program (MVP) Award grants a full-tuition award to incoming first-year students, who are U.S. Citizens or permanent residents, residents of the state of Iowa, identify as students of color, and demonstrate financial need. The Multicultural Vision Program aims to enhance the ISU undergraduate experience by preparing students with the tools to be an agent of change in their community. It will also help them grow as a person by expanding their cultural awareness, building supportive relationships, and achieving academic success. The program is guided by five principles: Sense of Belonging, Social Involvement, Academic Success, Leadership Development and Community Engagement.

History

MVP was formally introduced in the 1999–2000 academic year, having received a total of 171 applications. The first cohort of scholars entered in the Fall semester 2000. The program itself is modeled after the Hixson Opportunity Awards; however, rather than selecting a student per county in Iowa, the team selects students who are Iowa residents to receive the MVP scholarship.

MVP was created to help address recruitment and retention needs of in-state students with racially marginalized identities at ISU. This ties directly into the university's land-grant mission as well. Iowa State University was designated as a land-grant institution through the passing of the Morrill Act in 1862. This helped provide funding for universities to focus on: the teaching of practical subjects like agriculture, engineering, and home economics; provide access to education to women, people of color, and the working class; and to share research with people across their state.

Quick facts

  • The most populated majors within the MVP cohort are in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences followed by College of Engineering; the least populated programs are typically in between College of Design and College of Agriculture & Life Sciences.

  • During the last 4 years, the majority of scholars in each cohort are from Polk County and surrounding areas (i.e. Des Moines metro)

  • Over half of the current MVP scholars identify as firstgeneration college students (224 students identify as firstgeneration, which is approximately 670/0)

MVP annual events

  • MVP First Year Orientation

  • MVP/Hixson Ice Cream Social

  • MVP First Year Retreat

  • Center Grove Apple Orchid visit Uoint MVP and GWC event)

  • Graduation Recognition during MSA Graduation Celebration

  • MVP/Hixson Etiquette Dinner

  • Scholars Week

  • Scholars Award Luncheon

MVP staff

  • Wonjae Phillip Kim, Program Coordinator

  • Andrew Jessip, Graduate Assistant

  • Yajaira López-Villa, Graduate Assistant

Peer Mentors

  • Maison Ashton

  • Taea Bonner

  • lsamar Caro-Gonzalez

  • Mimi Chau

  • Shayla Cooper

  • Cierra Dunn

  • Nadine Garcia

  • Sarah Ha

  • Thao Larson

  • Jocelynn Luangdetmalay

  • Harry Nguyen

  • Sarah Sweet

  • Kevin Truong

  • Nancy Truong

  • Jasani Whitehead

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