MAJ Robert Carter, III, Ph.D., M.P.H. Science and Technology Advisor U.S. Africa Command or

2 2 Purpose The Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) program, established in 1999, is a 1.6 billion dollar initiative funded by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The goal of GMS is to promote academic excellence and to provide an opportunity for 20,000 outstanding students with significant financial need to reach their full potential.

3 3 GMS initiative and has partnered with the following organizations: Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund American Indian Graduate Center Scholars Hispanic Scholarship Fund United Negro College Fund About the Program

4 4  Over 7,100 Gates Millennium Scholars have completed a degree since the program’s inception  Average freshman retention rate 97%; sophomore rate 96%  Five-year graduation rate is 79.2% and over 90% in six years  35% of Gates Millennium Scholars transition to graduate school within one year after graduation  17% into a GMS funded field  18% into other graduate programs Program Accomplishments

5 Not Just About Money… Student Leadership Conferences GMS Leadership Academies Scholar Connection Alumni Relations Program Mentoring Program

6 The Application Process… 1. Nominator Form – Educator/Guidance Counselor Educator who is familiar with the student’s academic background completes the Nominator Form 2. Recommender Form – Community Service/Leadership Advocate Community member or individual who is aware of the student’s community service and leadership activities completes the Recommender Form and 3. Nominee Form – Student Student completes comprehensive Nominee Personal Information Form. Independent readers complete individualized reading and scoring assessment of each eligible Nominee in three major areas: A. academic achievement, B. community service, and C. leadership potential

7 Nomination materials are available at A Complete Application Packet Consist of: 1. Student Application (Nominee Personal Information Form) 2. Educator’s evaluation of the student’s academic record (Nominator Form) 3. Evaluation of the student’s community service and leadership activities (Recommender Form)

8 Who are Gates Scholars?