ULM preparatory program provides opportunities by Kristin Nieman - posted Thursday, July 12th, 2012 @ 12:00 pm  E-mail Story |  Print Story  Online Exclusive The University of Louisiana-Monroe has partnered with two area Fortune 500 companies and a local hospital for a five-day residential college preparatory program held on ULM's campus. The 2012 inaugural President's Academy offers 50 high school students externships in the fields of Computer Sciences, Physical Sciences and Medical Sciences at Centurylink Communications, Angus Chemical Company and E.A. Conway Medical. Combined with follow-up courses that equip scholars with skills to flourish in a competitive job market, the President's Academy 2012 offers these high-ability students an exclusive entrance into the global economy. "This inaugural President's Academy provides ULM the opportunity to expose a group of gifted and high achieving students to the incredible opportunities here at ULM and in our community," said Lauren Brownell, ULM office of public information marketing director. The externships developed by the College of Pharmacy, College of Business Administration and College of Arts and Sciences and these businesses and medical center have the goal of offering real world learning opportunities with the help of professors and 17 AmeriCorps volunteers. "It's highlighting some of our top programs and bringing all that ULM has to offer to light," said Dr. Lynn Clark, Assistant Professor of Curriculum and Instruction. Sunday, July 8, through Friday, July 13, students have been creating and learning in laboratories, going behind the science with Latin and Literature courses, learning soft business skills in seminars, and joining in music, song, dance and more with the Visual and Performing Arts department on campus. "The academy gives students the chance to delve deeper into their fields of interest with hands-on experiential learning and, at the same time, develop a richer understanding of the role that the humanities play in all fields of study, even the most scientifically based," Brownell said. On the first day, a "pandemic" was introduced to the students. Each day since, there have been updates on the simulated outbreak and the students are learning to work together to resolve the situation by Friday, when they will give proposals to parents and administration. Out of 75 applicants, 48 were selected from Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana and two from Colorado. Students participating have either an ACT score of at least 24 or a 3.5 GPA. Students were also required to have two academic recommendations. The program rewards participating students with one college credit hour upon completion. The students selected have an average ACT score of 29, with the highest being a 34. "They are smart, driven, hard-working students who know what they want to do," Clark said. For the full story, subscribe to the The Ouachita Citizen's NEW E-Edition!