Colby College
PAE-8: Support Programs for Underrepresented Groups

Colby Achievement Program in Sciences (CAPS) was initiated in the 2010-2011 school year to help retain underrepresented students in the sciences through coursework and laboratory research that begins in the summer before their first year. Funded in part through a $1 million grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, students receive a stipend for their summer research work and can get funding for research work in the next three summers at Colby or in another research lab. For more information about the CAPS program go to: https://wiki.colby.edu/display/hhmi/Colby+Achievement+Program+in+the+Sciences+(CAPS)

Colby Research Scholars Program (CRS) is and academic support and career development program for students who are typically underrepresented in the sciences. Coordinated with the CAPS program, CAPS students move on into the CRS program. For more information on the CRS program go to: http://www.colby.edu/chemistry/CRS/CRS.html

Posse Program – Colby is a Posse Foundation partner institution of higher education. The Posse Program is a leadership development and support program for students from underrepresented groups. The Posse Foundation identifies, recruits and selects public high school students with promise for success as leaders and scholars. The partner institutions provide full 4-year scholarships and mentoring for these students after they complete 8-months of leadership cross -cultural training, and preparation for college-level academics. Ten to twelve high school students are selected each year to form a Posse at Colby. For more information on the Colby Posse Program go to: http://www.colby.edu/search_cs/results.cfm

Support Programs for the Colby Community:
The Pugh Center is the social and intellectual focal point for multicultural understanding, communication, and awareness. The Center space houses several student clubs and organizations, a resource (books, videos, DVDs) area, and a common learning area. The programming of the Pugh Center includes cultural programs, heritage month programs, leader development, retention programs such as Ralph Bunche Scholars Program (primarily students of color or first generation college students), Pugh Center Scholars Transition and Mentor Program (first year students of color are partnered with upperclass students of color to help them transition), LGBTQ support and awareness programs, and Gender equality programming. The efforts of the Center constitute a wide range of learning opportunities and support for students.

The Center offers a wide-range of multicultural events designed to affirm cultural differences and educate the entire community. The Pugh Community Board is a student organization that provides multicultural programs, lectures, concerts, performances, exhibitions, workshops, and special events. While the primary focus of the Center’s activities is the student population, activities are open to, and attended by, faculty and staff as well. For more information about the Pugh Center go to: www.colby.edu/pughcenter

Support Programs for Faculty & Staff:
There is less formal programming offered specifically for faculty and staff. All new faculty members are connected with a faculty mentor to guide and advise them about teaching at Colby and different opportunities on campus. Some recent programs for individuals from underrepresented groups include:
Employees of Color Luncheon: First held in fall of 2010, the Employees of Color Luncheon is designed to give faculty and staff the opportunity to gather together and discuss issues of interest in an informal setting.
Lunchtime conversation series: During the Fall of 2011, the Dean of Faculty held a monthly lunch for faculty and staff with the topic: “Difference & Diversity at Colby”.