An ISU program in its first year is aiming to teach students about Iowa State’s opportunities and encourage them to think about education beyond a bachelor’s degree.

Carver Academy is a program designed to encourage undergraduate research in a graduate setting, said Deland Myers, associate professor of food science and human nutrition. The program was established last year and was patterned after the Meyerhoff program at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

“The purpose of the academy is two-pronged — to acclimate students to Iowa State’s expectations academically and to the culture of Ames and the university and to encourage students to consider studying beyond the basic undergraduate degree and learn the potential and possible opportunities here at Iowa State,” Myers said.

As an addition to the basic college curriculum, the program encourages students to study abroad, take part in the National Student Exchange and participate in leadership positions on campus.

The academy also focuses on preparing students for life after college and teaches them how to apply for graduate and professional schools, Myers said.

“Students are encouraged to pursue study beyond the bachelor’s degree, to do research or professional school,” he said.

As part of the academy recitation, sessions are held twice a week by upperclass peer mentors for the 45 freshmen in the program. During the classes, students discuss achievement, academic success, self-discovery and post-graduate instruction, Myers said.

“The students complete personality profiles in order to understand themselves as people and to learn their interests and to find what fields fit their interests,” he said.

Freshmen also have the opportunity to work with faculty in a research setting.

“We have a faculty council made up of professors from all seven colleges, where we discuss how to develop the program,” Myers said. “They also serve as faculty mentors. Most students will not begin to work with faculty mentors until their sophomore or junior year.”

In the process of learning about ISU’s academic opportunities, Myers said the students also become a community.

“The program fosters camaraderie among students. They see themselves as a group of students working together toward a common goal. They encourage each other and form study groups, and their peer mentors give them advice,” he said. “We make sure they get every ounce of opportunity available to them.”

Alyssa Shiue, sophomore in chemical engineering, said she enjoys being a member of the academy.

“I think it’s really helpful in getting students involved on campus and getting them involved with a lot of faculty as well,” said Shiue, a peer mentor. “It introduces you to a lot of activities on campus, and I met a lot of people I probably would not have met otherwise.”