Photography: Steve WoodThe University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry and Xavier University of Louisiana have partnered together for an Early-Assurance Program to recruit promising students from Xavier into UAB’s dental program.
This sophomore-year program, which offers conditional early acceptance into the UAB School of Dentistry, will prepare Xavier’s dental students with a solid foundation for dental school.
“We are excited to partner with Xavier University of Louisiana to establish this new early assurance program,” said Carly Timmons McKenzie, Ph.D., assistant dean of Admissions and associate professor in the UAB School of Dentistry. “This program enhances our efforts to recruit and develop promising students with backgrounds that are typically underrepresented in dentistry and prepare them for a career in this industry.”
Xavier students accepted through the EAP are required to take the Dental Admission Test and successfully complete a degree program through XULA. Nominated students will interview for the EAP while participating in the 2022 Summer Health Professions Education Program at the UAB School of Dentistry. SHPEP is a free, six-week summer enrichment residential program for first- and second-year college students. The goal of the SHPEP is to increase diversity in health professions by recruiting and preparing underrepresented students for successful educational experiences and careers in health care.
Students who successfully complete the interview process are granted conditional acceptance into the School of Dentistry. Those who are accepted through this program are eligible for scholarships provided by UAB.
“Xavier is proud to join the University of Alabama at Birmingham in partnership to provide opportunities that further develop the talents of students as they gain experience in their chosen professions,” said Anne McCall, provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs at Xavier University of Louisiana. “It is the quality of our partnerships that matters most. The University of Alabama at Birmingham, much like Xavier, is committed to educating the future’s leaders.”