About the IAP

Advising and leadership activities augment the academic experience for scholars on campus. New Student orientations and mentoring from older scholars, program alumni, donors, and volunteers provide a strong network of support. Meetings, workshops, and social events are scheduled throughout the year and help to build community.

The Incentive Awards Scholars are achieving academic distinction at Berkeley, but they are also expected to make a real commitment to serving the community around them. Scholars are required to visit their high schools at least twice each semester and many students do much more. During the last academic year, Scholars made an average of six outreach presentations, reaching more than 2000 high school students in over 150 classrooms and other venues in high schools throughout the Bay Area.

With the program's expansion to Los Angeles, this outreach activity will expand significantly. Through their extensive outreach activities and through their leadership on campus, Scholars are positive role models, symbolizing to others what can be achieved by hard work in the face of adversity. By sharing their own experiences, these ambassadors for higher education inspire other younger students in the belief that a college education is an attainable reality.