Scholarships for Scrubs Camp at St. Paul College
Grant Project Details:
Awardee:
Laura Savin, Melissa Cuff, Tracy Wilson
Timeframe:
2015-2016
Location:
Friends of Saint Paul College Foundation | St. Paul, MN
Amount:
$10,000
Status:
Complete
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Grant Location
Friends of Saint Paul College Foundation
235 Marshall Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55102
Grant Description
There is a shortage of healthcare workers in Minnesota and across the country, and the demand for skilled healthcare professionals will rise as the population of the United States grows older. Many young people are unaware that jobs in the medical industry are exciting and financially rewarding, and other students, especially young women and minorities, think they cannot compete for these positions.
Scrubs Camp at St. Paul College is a four-day program for high school students which offer career-oriented activities that focus on health care and regenerative medicine.
Funded by Regenerative Medicine Minnesota (RMM) and staffed by professionals from St. Paul College, the program teaches students specifically about stem cells and become familiar with regenerative medicine concepts. They also listen to guest speakers from the University of Minnesota who talk about regenerative medicine, and they learn about careers in the field by talking to professionals who work in healthcare and regenerative medicine.
Students get the full medical student experience at the St. Paul Scrubs Camp. They wear scrubs while on the St. Paul College campus, engage in a classroom setting, and participate in different labs. They also learn how to prepare for their post-secondary education by meeting with admission staff, helping students transition to college, regardless of which educational institutions or programs they pursue.
Administrators of this program worked with St. Paul public schools to award scholarships to low income students who might not have otherwise been able to take advantage of this educational opportunity. In 2015, 75 percent of participants were students of color, and 70 percent of the campers received RMM-funded scholarships. The money also allowed the program to provide free transportation to and from the camp to further reduce barriers to education.
The St. Paul Scrubs Camp helps expose students who are underrepresented in healthcare and science fields to the benefits of a career in the medical industry. The program teaches students about regenerative medicine and stem cells, topics which are not widely discussed in high school. Campers who finish the program see college as a viable and exciting option after high school, whereby reducing educational gaps and creating a pipeline of future healthcare workers in Minnesota.
Click here to view a progress report from Friends of Saint Paul College detailing how they used the grant funds to advance regenerative medicine.
Grant Awardee Biography
Laura Savin is the Executive Director for Foundation and Alumni Relations leading fund development for the Friends of Saint Paul College. Laura brings experience in the areas of trusts, endowment, and alumni relations. Prior to her current role, Laura Savin’s professional experience included positions with the United Jewish Fund and Council, Wells Fargo Bank, and Hamline University. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Minnesota and a J.D. from Hamline University School of Law.
Melissa Cuff is the Grant Writer supporting both the Friends of Saint Paul College and Saint Paul College. She is responsible for developing grant proposals, facilitating grants stewardship, and fostering relationships with institutional donors. Melissa brings over 15 years of fund development experience to her role. Her nonprofit background includes program management, evaluation and advancement functions with YMCA organizations in Saint Paul, MN, Minneapolis, MN and Houston, TX. Melissa Cuff holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business and Music from Illinois Wesleyan University and a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Houston.
Tracy Wilson is the Dean of Workforce Training and Continuing Education providing executive leadership and educational management of the academic and career areas in workforce development, training, and continuing education. Dean Wilson joined Saint Paul College in 2015 from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, bringing nine years of higher education experience to her role. She holds a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from William Carey University and is a Doctoral candidate in Community College Leadership through Mississippi State University.