IMAGE Program

The IMAGE Program at the University of Mississippi began in 1991 as part of the Mississippi Alliance for Minority Participation.

• The Alliance was called the Louis Stokes Mississippi Alliance for Minority Participation (LSMAMP), was funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the eight public universities in Mississippi.
• The LSMAMP was formed to address the shortfall of scientists, engineers and mathematicians that the American workforce faces, which adversely impacts the nation’s competitive posture in the global economy.

National higher education enrollment data indicate significant under-representation of Mississippians holding undergraduate and graduate degrees in all academic disciplines.

Improve Academic Standing of Members and Prepare them for Graduate School

• Have speakers and presentations at general meetings that will benefit students academically (time management, study skills, preparation for graduate school, etc.)
• Organize and update study materials each semester
• Establish peer group among incoming freshmen for advising/counseling
• Increase the number of scholars to participate in summer research experiences
• Increase the number of scholars to present at professional conferences
• Encourage and provide early GRE preparation and admission to graduate schools

Increase Recruitment

• Send IMAGE scholars to high schools
• Admissions Office liaison (External Publicist)
• Obtain mailing list of minority students and send out letters (Recruitment Committee)
• Inform at orientations and visit days (Orientation Ambassadors, Recruitment Committee)
• Bring other students to IMAGE meetings and events

Increase Recognition and Awareness

• Conduct an “IMAGE Week” on campus (Recruitment Committee)
• T-shirts (Internal Publicist)
• Make new brochures and posters
• Maintain/Upgrade existing website
• Perform a group community service project at least once a semester (Community Service Committee)
• Adopt a philanthropy (Community Service Committee)
• Co-sponsor at least one campus event per semester

• Establish IMAGE Honor Roll with end of year raffle
• Invite high school students to retreat
• Establish IMAGE support group with counseling center
• Have two retreats per year (Fall, Spring)
• Have more activities at retreats
• Sponsor “Meet the Black Faculty”
• Have a social picnic beginning of semester
• Take a group picture every year

Executive Board

Members of the executive board (IMAGE officers) are elected by their peers. To run for a position on the board a student must be an active member in IMAGE for at least two semesters

• President:  The president presides over meetings (executive and general), assist the project coordinator in directing and coordinating activities, and maintains order in meetings.

• Vice-President (2):  The vice-presidents preside over meetings in the absence of the president, and coordinate the activities of all committees.

• Secretary and Assistant Secretary:  The secretary & assistant secretary assist each other in taking notes of the meetings (executive and general), keep a record of all planned events, and read the minutes at general meetings.

•  External Publicist (2):  External publicists are liaisons to the Admissions office, obtain a mailing list of prospective students, and preside over the recruitment committee.

• Internal Publicist (2):  Internal publicists are responsible for advertising all IMAGE events; through flyers, social media, and other methods of choice.  They are responsible for taking pictures at the IMAGE functions (e.g. conferences, meetings, all committee events, other non-IMAGE campus events participated in by the organization, etc.).

• Enrichment Coordinator: The Enrichment Coordinator is responsible for collecting Research Opportunities, compiling them in the research booklet, and displaying them in the IMAGE Center.  Additional responsibilities include attending conferences and graduate fairs to obtain information.
• Newsletter Editor(2):  Newsletter editors are in charge of producing two newsletters per semester. These newsletters are to be formatted for the IMAGE website.

Standing Committees

There are three standing committees. Each committee should have at least three members in addition to a chairperson chosen by the committee members.

• Recruitment:  Responsibilities include writing letters to students, working with ambassadors, organizing IMAGE week, and setting up tables at orientations and visit days.  They also coordinate meetings with their overall committee members and report to the vice presidents, as well as maintain the bulletin board in the IMAGE center.

• Community Service:  Responsibilities include coordinating group service activities with various organizations in the community, meeting with students, and reporting activities to the vice presidents and project coordinator.

• Events:  Responsibilities include coordinating speakers and presentations, and developing ideas for campus events for the overall IMAGE group. They are also responsible for planning the end of the semester pampering event (fall), awards banquet (spring), the senior picnic (spring), as well as reporting activities to the vice president and project coordinator.

*All communities function under a collaborative effort.

The purpose of our retreats is to build community with current and new students. We have a retreat each fall and spring.

Our retreats take place in different locations in Mississippi. IMAGE students will be notified of locations and dates well before the retreats begin.