The Constantin Scholars Program provides a bridge between high school and university life at UD for incoming first-generation students.
The Constantin Scholars Program at UD welcomes and supports Texas students who will be the first in their families to complete a Bachelor’s Degree. Through scholarships and special programming, we recognize the wide-ranging impact that Constantin Scholars have on the lives of their peers — and generations of students in Texas.
“
Finding ways to make sure that first-generation students flourish while they are here
is part of the important work that we do.
”-
President Jonathan J. Sanford, Ph.D.
The Constantin Scholars Summer Bridge Programs features the Seven Arts of Language course, a three-credit hour class that counts toward the student's GPA and is provided free of charge. This course is designed to help students learn certain technical skills, such as the use of logic, rhetoric and grammar, that are essential in effective written and verbal communication. Students will also explore some of UD’s Core texts to reinforce those skills and will learn how to use etymological cues to broaden their vocabulary and understand difficult readings. Students will work with a graduate student instructor as well as peer mentors to guide them through the course and life on campus.
In addition to the Seven Arts of Language course, students will receive a subscription to the OptimalWork Program. This program leads students through the neuroscience and best practices of overcoming anxiety, distraction and other barriers to a healthy view of work.
Students will live on campus for the duration of the program, participate in weekend activities with the rest of their cohort and be joined by their parents for an opening welcome banquet, a mid-program BBQ and a closing lunch. Other on-campus activities may include volleyball tournaments with the other summer programs at UD, scavenger hunts, a talent show, and a cultural foods exhibition and dinner. On weekends, students will participate in a variety of excursions to enrich their program experience and community engagement. Trips hosted by the Constantin Scholars Program in the past have included the Dallas Museum of Art, Klyde Warren Park, the Latino Cultural Center, and the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum. Transportation, food and entrance tickets to all activities are covered by the Constantin and Hearst Foundations.
The Constantin Scholar Summer Bridge Program is provided free of cost to selected students. Students who successfully complete the program have their Fall textbooks covered, become eligible to receive additional scholarship aid of at least $1,000 for the Fall, and are given priority consideration for work-study positions on campus.
| Benefit | Value | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Seven Arts of Language Course (3 Credits) | $1,950 | Free |
| Housing | $605 | Free |
| Meals | $1,232 | Free |
| Excursions + Food Stipend* | $85 | Free |
| Optimal Work Premium Subscription (1 Year) | $1,000 | Free |
| Fall Books (depending on need) | $100 - $600 | Free |
| Fall Scholarship | $1,000+ | Free |
| Work Study | $800+ | Free |
| Total | $6,772 - $7,272 | Free |
We asked Constantin Scholars what their experiences as a Scholar have meant to them. Here’s what they said:
“[The program has] made a huge impact on me personally. It was great to be in a group of other first-gen students.”
– Janicia Gonzalez, BA ’25, Psychology | 2021 Cohort
“It has been very genuine and blessed. I have been able to form close friendships, even before the semester started, and I feel like it would be hard to form these relationships if I had not had the opportunity to study and spend my day with them, as was done in the program. I have also been able to interact and become more involved through the small groups and commuter round-ups.”
– Kate Sanchez, BA ’26, Philosophy and Theology | 2022 Cohort
“Being a Constantin Scholar was a really great experience that allowed me to open myself back up again after being secluded due to COVID-19. Going from having no physical contact with people to joining a diverse group of people helped me break out of the shell that I was in. Spending countless hours learning about Beowulf and the Seven Arts really were a lifesaver when it came to preparing myself for college at UD. Besides the class, my mentors, Blessing and Mr. N, facilitated my growth and allowed me to flourish in the class.”
– Pike Mathews, BA ’26, Biochemistry | 2022 Cohort
“Participating in the Constantin Scholar program provided students such as me with support and resources to help them transition to college life and ultimately to academic success. Scholars had the opportunity to receive mentorship and guidance from faculty and staff.”
– Martha Raborg, BA ’24, Business with concentrations in Computer Science and Spanish | 2020 Cohort
Janicia Gonzalez is an incoming freshman from Midlothian, TX and a 2021 UD
Constantin Scholar. She plans to major in Psychology and says it’s a great honor to
bethe first person in her family and siblings to attend college. She hopes to set
an examplefor them to look up to so that her brothers set big goals for themselves,
too.
Adolfo Angel Rojas Zamora is an incoming freshman Business major from McKinney, TX. He is a 2021 UD Constantin Scholar. He looks forward to attending UD and valuesthe dedication that the university gives first-generation students to thrive.
Sheila Lam is an incoming freshman from Santa Ana and a 2021 UD Constantin Scholar. Sheila will major in Biology. As a first-generation student in the Constantin Scholars Program, she is happy to have been given the opportunity to improve her skills in language arts.
Leila Bell is an incoming freshman from Grapevine, TX and a 2021 UD Constantin Scholar. Leila will be majoring in Comparative Literature. As a first-generation student in the program, she is most excited for the academics of the university.
Consuelo Gala Gutierrez is an incoming freshman from Garland, TX and a 2021 UD Constantin Scholar. She plans to major in Business and really appreciates all the sacrifices made by her peers that have allowed her to be successful.
Kodi Stokes is an incoming freshman from Aubrey, TX and a 2021 UD Constantin Scholar. She plans to study Psychology. Kodi really values the help she’s received from the UD Team in navigating financial aid resources.
