The STAHR Scholars Program began in 2011 (known then as the Admissions Enhancement Program), and provides students with the opportunities, resources, and knowledge to become competitive applicants to dental schools. This is done through preparing scholars for a holistic application process by undergoing personal and professional development as they pursue and apply dental school. To provide sustained support, the program is composed of online coursework and an in-person summer experience, known as Onsite Week. This year, the online coursework included 23 general sessions, 26 supplemental instruction sessions to review DAT content, 12 hours of shadowing, and six full-length practice exams. This resulted in an average of 166 hours spent on Canvas and an average of 164 DAT Bootcamp study sessions completed per scholar.
In addition to working alongside STAHR Dentistry staff, School of Dentistry faculty, and members of the Office of Student Programs team, the scholars are assigned to a student mentor to guide them through the program. These mentors are current dental students and meet with the scholars weekly to provide advice and insight, answer questions, and offer suggestions to the scholars to help prepare them dental careers. Multiple mentors are previous STAHR participants and embrace the opportunity to give back to a program that supported them in their path to dental school.
Since its inception, 182 scholars have participated and 73 scholars attend or attended UMKC School of Dentistry. Out of last year’s 2023 STAHR Cohort, 7 scholars will be attending UMKC School of Dentistry in the fall of 2024.
This year’s Onsite Week included a number of activities including labs, presentations, panels and community partner visits to get an idea of dentistry outside of the classroom. Students were also able to enjoy some non-academic fun, like a trip to Main Event to acquaint themselves with each other and Kansas City and an exclusive tour of GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Another highlight was the Professional Development Dinner, which serves as an opportunity for scholars to cultivate interprofessional relationships by facilitating meaningful interactions with faculty and staff members from both the School of Dentistry and Medicine. Gene Willis, Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility at GEHA/GEHA Solutions, was the keynote speaker at the event. GEHA Solutions, has been instrumental in providing ongoing support to the STAHR Program through the GEHA Solutions Diversity in Dentistry Pre-Dental Fellowships.
Dr. Melanie Simmer-Beck, Director of the STAHR Program and Professor, Chair of Dental Public Health and Behavioral Science, says, “The STAHR DAT Scholars dental pathway program has a long history of providing resources, mentorship, and professional development opportunities to support students as they pursue a career in dentistry.”
2024 Dental STAHR Scholars
Kathleen Godornes, Kansas City, MO
Addison Bolden, Peoria, IL
Jamayla Phillips, Newnan, GA
Austin Woods, Eudora, KS
Ashton Searcy, Albuquerque, NM
Jessica Puruleski, Lawrenceville, GA
Brenda Calderon, Kansas City, MO
Nadia Jansen, St. Louis, MO
Billy Chang, Las Vegas, NM
Nicholas (Nick) Moody, League City, TX
Cassandra Saint-Armand, Rockaway, NJ
Nicole Hayer, Park City, KS
Edward (Ed) Estepan, Independence, MO
Jourdan Dukes, Grandview, MO
JaKeya Jackson, Raytown, MO
View Photos from Onsite Week
For photos from the tour of GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, click here.
For the Culmination Ceremony and group photos, click here.
For the Professional Development Dinner, click here.
For onsite activity candids, hands-on and other social events, click here.