Multicultural scholars find success after KU

Since 1992, Renate Mai-Dalton has watched dozens of students from KU’s Multicultural Scholars Program venture into the world armed with a KU education and determination to make a difference.

Twelve years later she is following the careers of successful graduates across the country, and she hears from alumni pursuing graduate degrees from universities including Harvard.

“Sometimes it takes a few years to demonstrate the results of the students’ experiences at KU,” said Mai-Dalton, associate professor of business and director of the program.

The program was established by Mai-Dalton in 1992 for students of color who were pursuing a bachelor’s degree in the School of Business. In the past dozen years, Mai-Dalton has expanded the program to include the schools of pharmacy, architecture, journalism and education, and into the areas of languages and the humanities, human development and family life, and African and African-American studies.

The work is paying off.

This summer, Mai-Dalton received Accepted! 50 Successful Business School Admission Essays from KU alumnus Ruben Sigala, whose admissions essay to Harvard was included in the book.

In his essay, Sigala said, “This program has had a profound impact on the development of its students, and I have developed a deep admiration for the program’s founder.

“She cultivated a sense of community obligation that has extended to my professional ambitions.”

Sigala has since completed his master’s degree at Harvard and is now a special projects manager for Princess Cruise Lines. He has joined the ranks of multicultural scholars pursuing careers at companies including Sprint, American Eagle Outfitters, Bank of America and the Target Corporation.

The program began with seven students and has grown as additional programs were added. In 2003, 80 students participated in the eight programs. Mai-Dalton said 115 students are projected for participation this fall.

Multicultural scholars, including undergraduate and graduate participants, record an overall grade point average of 3.16 and average more than 13 hours per semester.

Mai-Dalton said businesses and private donors support the program, which now also gets financial support from alumni. Faculty members administer the programs.

“We have capable and committed directors for each program,” Mai-Dalton said. “It’s an outstanding feat that these programs are headed by such a respected group of faculty.”