The President’s Emerging Scholars Program (PES) is an educational opportunity program which ensures timely graduation of its participants through supportive academic, career and personal well-being programs, in addition to scholarships, professional advising and peer mentoring.
The PES Program supports students in their pursuit of a bachelor’s degree at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. Students selected to participate in PES demonstrate achievement in a number of ways, including strong academics, extracurricular excellence, and significant community engagement.
President’s Emerging Scholars Program Selection Process
Students selected to participate in PES demonstrate evidence of having overcome social, economic, or physical barriers to educational achievement. As a condition of their admission, selected students are required to participate in all programmatic elements of the President's Emerging Scholars Program during their first year. Participants are primarily Minnesota residents, with preference given to first-generation students.
Benefits of the President’s Emerging Scholars Program
Academic guidance and support
PES students meet regularly with both academic advisors and peer mentors to help ensure academic success and timely degree completion.
Enrichment and community programming
PES students participate in programming and activities designed for personal and professional development, and encourage campus engagement to help create a sense of belonging to the University community.
PES is designed as a four-year program, and students are encouraged to continue to participate after their first year. Participants who meet the academic and participation requirements of the four-year program will be eligible to receive a second $1,000 President’s Emerging Scholar Award their senior year.
Scholarship support
Eligible students selected for this program will receive a President’s Emerging Scholar Award worth $1,000. This scholarship is awarded to help students focus on their academic studies during their undergraduate career and help make a U of M education possible.
Please note, PES Scholars who participate in intercollegiate athletics at the University of Minnesota may be restricted from receiving this award because of NCAA financial aid rules.
Special courses and events
PES students have the opportunity to participate in optional courses and events created exclusively for PES participants. These activities are designed to create community and develop 21st-century skills necessary for academic and career success.
College-Specific PES programs
TRIO Student Support Services (TRIO SSS)
Students in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) may be admitted to the TRIO SSS program which is focused on supporting the academic success of first-generation college students, low-income, students with disabilities, or students for whom English is not their first language (CET program). Students admitted to CEHD TRIO SSS also participate in the PES program.
College English Transitions Program (CET)
The College English Transitions Program is a facet of TRIO SSS designed for students for whom English is not their first language. This program helps students develop and practice college-level academic English writing. The Program builds support through integrated learning courses, small class size, holistic advising, and an instructional staff with expertise in teaching English as a second language.