In an attempt to battle low minority retention rates, Iowa State is doing all it can to recruit and retain minority students by utilizing numerous academic programs. One of these programs is the Carver Academy.

“Carver Academy provides many incoming freshmen minority students the opportunity to get a head start to college life by establishing friendships, residence hall connections, academic skills and time to adjust to the culture of Ames,” said Rafael Rodriguez, director of Minority Student Affairs.

Rodriguez said Carver Academy is a seven-week summer scholastic program, named after the first African-American student to graduate from ISU, Dr. George Washington Carver.

The program provides its students with tuition, fees and room and board.

“It gives them a jump start to college life,” Rodriguez said. “They take English, math and library.”

The 53 members of the 1999 Carver Academy work together, eat together and play together. They also live on the same residence hall floor in Friley.

“We always go to bed late,” said La Tifini McClinton, current Carver Academy student and residence hall floor president. “No one wants to miss out on what is going on.”

However, the major focus is on academics. From 8 a.m. until sometimes 8 p.m., Carver Academy students are busy doing their homework.

Melissa Martinez, ISU student and Carver Academy alumna, said the academic program was challenging.

“It definitely prepared me academically for college and gave me many resources,” she said.

In order to succeed academically, the Carver Academy students use each other’s skills and knowledge. Some students are on full ride academic scholarships while others struggle to pass.

“It is a great experience,” McClinton said. “It’s uplifting to see so many of us working together for the common goal of academics.”

The strong friendships that form between many Carver Academy students are due to the large amount of time they spend together studying and socializing, Martinez said.

“About three or four of my closest friends are from the Carver Academy,” she said. “Carver Academy gave me a place to connect.”

Currently, most Carver Academy classes have only Carver Academy students in them. But when summer school is over, the students will break apart in many courses due to their majors.

“You don’t realize that you are on a predominantly white campus until fall comes,” Martinez said. “It’s hard to go from being with so many minorities to being a part of the 7 percent minority population on this campus.”

The program gives a foundation for the students to excel at ISU.

“We expect the best from Carver Academy students,” Rodriguez said. “The best, nothing less.”

Carver Academy classes are over when school starts, but alumni of the program continue activities throughout their college careers.