For the past three decades, the no-cost Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP) has introduced more than 30,000 college students to careers in health. SHPEP is a summer experience that offers opportunities to explore a range of careers, including medicine, dentistry, nursing, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy, physicians assistant, and public health. SHPEP scholars have a legacy of success: over 65 percent of scholars who apply to medical or dental school are accepted.
With a focus on improving access to information and resources for college freshmen and sophomores, this six-week opportunity is offered at 12 program sites across the country. Each institution provides scholars with academic enrichment in the basic sciences and math, clinical experiences, career development activities, learning and study skills seminars, and financial planning. Curriculum details and dates vary depending on the program site.
SHPEP targets its outreach to underrepresented communities with the objective of increasing their matriculation and acceptance rates for health professions programs and schools. These efforts are funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation with direction and technical assistance provided by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and the American Dental Education Association (ADEA).
Applicants must be a high school graduate currently enrolled as a freshman or sophomore in college; have a minimum overall college GPA of 2.5; be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or DACA recipient; and be new to the program. Submitting a compelling personal statement and a strong letter of recommendation can improve an applicant’s chances of being selected.
While SHPEP made the decision to forgo onsite programming in 2020 due to the pandemic and the closure of some campuses, they successfully hosted more than 930 scholars virtually. If you’re interested in the program, the online application materials offer clear guidelines and a helpful checklist.
➜ The application timeline usually opens November 1 and closes February 5. For more details, programming updates, and information about participating colleges and universities, visit shpep.org.
ASK A PARTICIPANT
→ SUMMER BRUNOE
Have mentors been important to you as a student? I’ve had many mentors with varying involvement in my academic and personal life. Each mentor added substantial encouragement that helped propel me into my future. They also made it clear that they’re invested in me. SHPEP provided many opportunities to meet the mentors in my life.
Have you been a mentor? Each year at Brown I formally mentored a group of six incoming freshmen. The program reinforced my belief in the necessity for mentors. I help guide the group of freshmen in course selection, extracurricular interests, and becoming accustomed to campus. The relationships I’ve formed and how I have learned to help cast out students’ fear have been the most eye-opening for me. A little investment and genuine words of encouragement go a long way.
Do you recommend that students seek mentors through programs like SHPEP? Having a mentor is like having someone help you run along a path they have already walked — it’s foundational to success. SHPEP reinforced this idea through various workshops and opportunities to meet mentors. I’ve listened to many doctors’ journeys to medicine, and each one mentioned a mentor.
What advice do you have for someone who would like to bring a mentor into their life? Be courageous and make the ask. If there is someone you aspire to be like, ask if they can meet for coffee. If there’s no one like this in your life, search for opportunities to meet one. Be open about your aspirations. My mentors found me through my dad telling our primary care doctor that I wanted to go to medical school. I also would like to add that it’s okay to be different from other students. I can’t tell how many times I was the only student in the audience making direct eye contact with the speaker and taking notes while other students were dozing off or on their phone. I felt weird at the time, but now I have great contacts and have been able to confidently approach speakers. SHPEP will allow you to practice these skills many times. I know the program helped me sharpen my skills.
What should you look for in a mentoring relationship? It’s crucial to find people who provide a safe space to share thoughts and feelings. From there, having someone who can help you network is vital. This is where SHPEP shined for me. Being mentored by someone who has credentials is critical if you ever want to ask for a letter of recommendation.
What advice can you offer someone who wants to be a mentor? Focus on your success and growth because you won’t be able to help others if you aren’t thriving. Pay close attention and process the advice you receive. Then once you feel confident, share your strategies with those who are a couple of steps behind you. Pay attention to people in your science classes who might be a grade below you. Look for those who seem to be dedicated and giving their all. They will make the best mentees because they will be just as invested as you are.
The Koniag Education Foundation (KEF), a nonprofit organization that promotes the education of Alaska Natives, offers a range of merit-based scholarships for college and graduate students who are Koniag shareholders and registered descendants. The more than $500,000 in scholarships awarded every year is funded by an endowment from Koniag Inc., one of 13 Alaska Native Regional Corporations. The ultimate goal of KEF is to equip shareholders with the skills they need to pursue employment opportunities and grow Alaska Native leadership in the business world. Since 1993, KEF has awarded more than 3,000 scholarships and grants — worth more than $6 million — to Alutiiq students in 34 states.
KEF General Scholarships are awarded to applicants with a GPA of 2.5 or higher who are pursuing a degree through an accredited educational institution. In addition, KEF offers a number of Special Scholarships for students with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Additional basic requirements include enrollment in a minimum of six undergraduate credits or three graduate credits per term.
KEF established the Angayuk Scholarship and Internship program, which awards an annual scholarship of $5,000. The program also allows recipients to gain related work experience during a summer internship while helping Koniag develop future leaders. Students receive a salary during their internship in subsidiaries of Koniag Inc., and travel and lodging are funded. Participating interns who continue to meet eligibility requirements can receive renewed funding of $5,000 each year until they graduate.
➜ All KEF scholarship and internship applications are submitted online and reviewed by an independent scholarship committee.
ASK KONIAG SCHOLARS
→ BELLA HANSON AND TATIANA SCHNEIDER
What was your KEF internship experience? Bella: This summer, thanks to the Angayuk Scholarship and Internship, I will have the opportunity to work at the Kodiak Brown Bear Center in southwest Kodiak. I could not be more excited to work with tourists from all over the world and represent Koniag.
Tatiana: This summer I took the opportunity to work for Friend Contractors in Kodiak as an assistant project manager and their safety officer. Friend Contractors is a residential and commercial construction company that is Alaska Native and woman owned, a company I am proud to represent. I am lined up to return to a full-time position with them after graduating. It has been my dream to work construction and live in Kodiak simultaneously. My education and Friend Contractors have given me this opportunity. I’m excited to be putting my education to use in Kodiak to metaphorically and literally build our community.
Can you tell us more about your college experience as a Koniag Scholar? Tatiana: I spent two of my five and a half years of college at Eastern Washington University, traveled home for the holidays, transferred schools to University of Alaska Anchorage, got involved in various clubs and organizations, excelled to the top of my class academically, traveled on a collegiate team, took an internship in Juneau working for a large construction company, worked full time every summer and sometimes part time during the school year, made great friendships and career connections, and am now leaving college debt-free.
Bella: I am currently in the process of completing my third year of a BS in nursing at Elmira College in New York. While I complete my studies, I also play on the women’s ice hockey team. Attending school as an aspiring nurse has given me the opportunity to partake in clinical rotations in hospitals. Nursing has grown to be a passion for me, and I am looking forward to the (not so distant) future where I can practice as an RN. Eventually I would like to further my education and pursue an advanced practice as a certified registered nurse anesthetist or nurse practitioner.
What has the support from KEF meant for you? Bella: I have wanted to be nurse for as long as I can remember, and I am grateful for the opportunity to take steps toward my goal without having to worry about the sizeable financial burden. Without the help from KEF, I would not be able to pursue a career I am passionate about.
Tatiana: I cannot thank everyone at KEF enough for the continuous support and generosity throughout my college education. I wouldn’t be able to say that I have no college debt without it. I am proud to be a part of the Kodiak community and can’t wait to move back after graduation.
