The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is currently hosting its annual Lions Program for students that are anticipating to be freshmen going into the fall 2021 semester. The program began on July 6th and lasts until August 6th allowing student participants to gain 6 credit hours towards their degree and adjust to campus life at the University.
The University according to the Lions Program coordinator, Carolyn Mills, had a goal of 120 students to participate and they were able to surpass that goal with a total of 142 students.
Students were required to pay a fee of $500 to cover specific fees while the Lions Program Award pays for the student’s classes, dorm fees, and other necessities for students to be successful in their studies. Mills spoke with Deltaplex and said that they have students from all over the country including California, Chicago, and even Alaska.
During last year’s Lions Program, the University was able to have 95 students attend the program virtually and implemented access to students who may have been denied admissions to the University due to academics. If those students make a C or better in their courses by the end of the program they will be admitted for the Fall semester.
The program this year has 13 Residential Specialists and assistants that work with students daily throughout the program. Mills also highlighted that the program usually is able to provide activities for students such as a travelers game in Little Rock and bowling, but are limited this year due to funding and capacity. The students will be able to go to the movies and possibly go skating before the program ends, because of the generous donations that they’ve received.
