Where culture, students, and education meet
Welcome to the What Will Your Influence Be Presidential Mentors Academy program at UNA. The University of North Alabama is committed to providing the PMA students with a transformative academic environment that enriches the lives of every student. The PMA values diversity, inclusivity, access, equity, and diverse lived experience within the campus community and beyond. Being part of the Presidential Mentors Academy comes with exceptional benefits including additional scholarships, book scholarships after your freshmen year, early registration, extra-curricular events, 24-hour access to our Presidential Mentors Academy office space, support for study abroad, leadership development, mentoring, advising, and much more. The Presidential Mentors Academy is committed to supporting our students on the journey to success and degree attainment. Visit us on social media or in person any time. We look forward to seeing you.
Ron Patterson EdD
Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion & Director of PMA
Steps to apply for High School Seniors
- Apply to the University of North Alabama through the UNA application.
- Apply to the Presidential Mentors Academy.
- The PMA application will appear in the Endowed Scholarships list. Click here to access the PMA Application.
Benefits
- Scholarship
- Early registration
- Summer Immersion Experience
- Support and opportunity for Study Abroad
- Extra-curricular and Co-curricular Events
- Leadership Development
- Academic Advising
- Coaching, and much more.
Prospective Students
For over 20 years, the Presidential Mentors Academy program has been a place where students find out who they are, become leaders, mentor their peers, and experience student success in and outside of the classroom. The PMA program is unique and the only one of its kind in the state of Alabama and the region. The PMA program was established in 1998 and designed to attract, recruit, and enroll underrepresented minority high school students.
The PMA promotes a culturally inclusive, engaged, intercultural experience, opportunities for growth, and lifelong learning about self and others. The PMA program offers leadership development, mentoring, individual advising and coaching, and a transformational student experience. The program provides support to foster student success, sponsors programs and events, group activities, and civic engagement opportunities.
Underrepresented populations are generally considered to include: Hispanic/Latinos, African/Black Americans, Native Americans, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders, and those of two or more races of these underrepresented populations. This is in alignment with the Higher Education Act.
Scholarship
The PMA program is a selective, leadership development program, that seeks students who demonstrate leadership potential, academic excellence, and commitment to community service.
The PMA scholarship is renewable for five years.
| Classification | Annual Scholarship Amount |
|---|---|
| Freshman | $2,000 |
| Sophomore | $2,200 + $500 bookstore |
| Junior | $2,400 + $500 bookstore |
| Senior | $2,600 + $500 bookstore |
| Fifth Year – if necessary | $2,000 |
To be considered for the PMA program, high school seniors must be admitted to the University of North Alabama and meet the following criteria:
- High school senior
- Minimum ACT/SAT score of 18/960-980 (currently waived)
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 high school GPA (unweighted)
- Submit eportfolio to pma@una.edu
- Deadline to apply is February 1, 2023.
If you have not applied to UNA visit the Office of Admissions. For questions about scholarships and financial aid, visit Office of Student Financial Aid. To secure your room, visit Housing and Residence Life.
Get Involved. Join a club, group, fraternity or sorority, or RSO. With over 200 RSO’s, there is something for you at UNA. Through programs, events, co-curricular activities, civic engagement opportunities, and leadership and service opportunities, student persistence and success, retention, and graduation are milestones complemented by the Office of Student Engagement.
