04.25.2022 at 5:00 - 7:00pm
Graduates throwing their caps into the air

Monday, April 25, 2022 | 5-7 p.m.

Coffman Union, Great Hall

On Monday, April 25th, the Graduate School will host Achieve & Uplift, an evening of inspiration for both graduating and continuing Community of Scholars Program (COSP) students, at the Great Hall in Coffman Memorial Union. Based in the Graduate School Diversity OfficeCOSP works towards creating an institutional environment that supports the academic and professional success of Native American graduate students and domestic graduate students of color who are underrepresented in academia. 

Hosted by the Graduate School Diversity Office's Assistant Vice Provost, Cori Bazemore-James, event speakers include University of Minnesota Regent Mike Kenyaya, Vice Provost and Dean of Graduate Education Scott Lanyon, and Associate Dean of Graduate Education and Associate Dean of Graduate Education Yoji Shimizu.

Time will be spent recognizing the role of mentors who played an integral part in the success of current graduates, and graduates themselves will have the option to give a 1-minute speech offering thanks to their own communities of support, as well as words of wisdom and motivation to COSP Scholars still forging their path in graduate education.

The program will also feature performances from African Drum and Dance Company, Tiyumba, traditional Mexica-Nahua cultural song and dance group, Kalpulli Yaocenoxtli, and Native American Drum Group, RedBone Singers, as well as closing remarks from Steve Davis, Associate Vice President of Engagement, UMN  Alumni Association; Multicultural Alumni Network (MCAN).

Achieve & Uplift Program