Student Diversity Programs

Diversification Scholarship Opportunities

The College of Medicine has scholarships designed to promote a diversified health care workforce. All students are welcome to apply regardless of race, ethnicity, or gender. To learn more about scholarships for M.D. students, please visit the Diversification Scholarship Opportunities page.

Mentoring Ensures Medical School Success (MEMS)

MEMS is a mentoring program that aims to support College of Medicine medical students from underrepresented groups, to include those racial/ethnic minorities, rural and/or first-generation college students, as well as other students interested in further diversifying the physician workforce. The MEMS Program is open to all students, and the College of Medicine and does not exclude any students on the basis of age, color, disability, citizenship status, ethnicity, gender identity, gender expression, national origin (including ancestry), parenting status, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, or any other protected category under applicable local, state, and federal law.

The program’s activities are divided by class. First and second year medical students meet with College of Medicine Administrators for a roundtable luncheon monthly. The focus of these sessions includes academic enhancement through identification and linkage to resources for students, and professional and social development to help students become fully integrated within the College’s student body. Similar roundtable sessions are held for third- and fourth-year students on a quarterly basis. MEMS opportunities and roundtable topics include: Student Ambassadors/Peer Mentors, Student Diversity Transition Forum, Stress Management, Balancing Academic and Social Life, Research Opportunities, Residency Selection Forum, and Meet the Alumni Forum.

Achieving Health Equity by Advancing Diversity (AHEAD)—Visiting Student Program

The AHEAD Visiting Student Program is for non-MUSC students who wish to participate in a fourth-year clinical externship at MUSC and explore its residency programs. AHEAD-VSP is open to students from underrepresented groups, including students with disabilities, those from rural backgrounds, first-generation college students, members of the LGBTQ community, those from disadvantaged or marginalized backgrounds, and other students interested in diversifying the physician workforce and/or addressing healthcare disparities in the communities they serve.

Learn more about AHEAD.

Student National Medical Association (SNMA)

The MUSC chapter of SNMA participates in the health care education of the minority populations in Charleston, SC through sponsoring local health fairs, bone marrow drives, sickle cell testing, and a large number of other community service activities. Students work closely with their advisors to develop seminars for educational enrichment, board review, residency applications, etc. SNMA informs minority high school and college students, of the many opportunities available to them in the health care profession.