One of the goals of the Community of Scholars is to provide students with continual ways to engage with one another about relevant critical issues. Through exclusive opportunities to attend dinners with guest speakers, scholars have the chance to hear from a diverse set of people who are change-makers in their fields, and perhaps spark a conversation with their fellow scholars about real-world issues. And it all begins at the Advantage Scholars Summer Program, where scholars hear from speakers and spend time working together to think critically about issues relevant to our own community.

The Community of Scholars is intended to be just that—a community. Students are able to form connections through a variety of activities, and regular emails keep students up to date on what is going on with their peers. Across a range of different academic fields and interests, like-minded students connect through the Community of Scholars regardless. The Advantage Scholars Summer Program provides a jump-start to meeting people before other students arrive on campus for the fall semester, and intentional programming for scholars during their first year and beyond solidifies those connections.

As members of the Community of Scholars, students have the chance to interact with a variety of enthusiastic faculty and staff members, other scholars in the classes above them, alumni scholars, and members of the Greenville community. The Community of Scholars also has a faculty liaison – Dr. Scott Henderson, William R. Kenan Jr. professor of education and director of national and international scholarships (scott.henderson@furman.edu) –  who provides counsel to scholars about their academic plans, career options, and national/international scholarship opportunities.