Mission
Helping the historically underrepresented be represented in graduate school.
Vision
About the Program
The Excel! Research Scholars Program is an academic enrichment program that prepares undergraduate students who are first-generation and/or low-income and/or underrepresented in research-based, graduate school programs for graduate school admission and success in their programs. Excel! uses a living and learning community and cohort style approach to teaching students by working with students collectively and individually to provide effective and tailored mentorship designed to help each student successfully prepare for the next steps in their education process.
We invite you to explore our website and learn more about how Excel! can help you.
Current Excel! Scholars
The 2018-2019 Excel! Scholars were recently featured on the St. Thomas Newsroom for their participation in the Excel! Research Scholars Summer Symposium. Click here to read the article.
(Pictured From Left to Right: Martin Beck, Mary Yeboah, Linda Nzabamwita, Abigail Heller, Marissa Abara, Xaiver Abdullahi, Bontu Gemeda, Erin Robb, Samual Figueroa)
Jonathan Santos
Jonathan Santos, a 2016-2017 scholar, is attending UST fully funded for his Masters in English. This past summer he was the Graduate Writing Specialist for the current cohort of scholars. The research that Jonathan worked on during his time in Excel was featured on the St. Thomas Newsroom. Click here to read the article.
Dustyn Montgomery
Dustyn Montgomery, a 2017-2018 scholar, worked as a peer mentor this past summer for the nine current scholars. He was also featured on the St. Thomas Newsroom during his time in Excel. The story can be found here.
Grace Maruska
Grace Maruska, a 2017-2018 scholar, has recently submitted her Fulbright application. We wish her much luck!
Samuel Figueroa
Samuel Figueroa, another current scholar, was a tutor for the REAL Program here at St. Thomas in summer 2018. Click here to read more about the REAL Program.
Marissa Abara and Bontu Gemeda
Current scholars, Marissa Abara and Bontu Gemeda, both have internships with the Rondo Community in St. Paul fall 2018.
Hannah Drazenovich
Hannah Drazenovich, a 2016-2017 Excel! Scholar, has accepted a spot at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine. She will begin her path to a M.D. fall 2018. Congratulations Hannah!
Ashley Demaio
Ashley Demaio has been admitted into the psychology masters program at Vanderbilt University fully funded!
Divine Zheng
Divine Zheng will begin at the University of Oregon School of Law this fall paritally funded. Way to go Divine!
Elizabeth DeNio
Elizabeth DeNio, a 2016-2017 scholar, has accepted a spot in the University of Minnesota Twin Cities Counseling and Student Personnel Psychology program.