Roadshow takes KU to minority students

To show minority students that KU is a diverse and welcoming place, the Office of Admissions and Scholarships will hit the road with several events this month.

The Multicultural Roadshow will take Baby Jay and KU representatives to venues in Sedgwick, Shawnee and Wyandotte counties in an effort to disseminate information about KU and affiliate organizations and services.

Efforts to recruit and retain underrepresented students at KU have proven successful at KU with minority first-time freshmen increasing nearly 10 percent and overall minority enrollment rising more than 4 percent in 2004. Among freshman minority students, African-American enrollment increased 22.4 percent and Hispanic enrollment increased 20 percent.

Events are scheduled at Wichita East High School, Topeka’s Sixth Avenue Ballroom and Sumner Academy in Kansas City, Kan.
During the programs, students from grades nine through 12 will meet with representatives from KU schools and departments, as well as staff members from admissions, the Office of Multicultural Affairs, the Student Involvement and Leadership Center and the Office of Financial Aid.

“ We want to share a little bit about what KU is all about, and why more students, particularly students of color, are finding success at KU,” said Claudia Mercado, associate director of admissions and scholarships.

KU representatives also will take a nontraditional route by visiting nonprofit agencies, middle schools and churches each day to share information about KU.

For more information or to register for a Multicultural Roadshow or KU admissions events in the state, visit www.admissions.ku.edu/receptions.