Hekima Scholars Program
A page within Diversity & Inclusion
Hekima in the Swahili language means
Wisdom
About the course
Hekima Scholars Program
Launched in 2018, the Hekima Scholars Program at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (UWL) is designed to support the success of young Men of Color by addressing the educational challenges they face. At the heart of the program is the “Circle of Wisdom,” a space where participants connect to share experiences, offer advice, provide encouragement, and navigate higher education together.
Program Highlights:
- Who It’s For: Men of Color and individuals who are committed to supporting their success.
- Cohort Model: Each cohort consists of 10-12 students, fostering strong connections and peer support.
- Course Structure: A 1-credit course taught by a staff member from the Office of Multicultural Student Services (OMSS) within the Division of Diversity & Inclusion.
- Mentorship: Participants receive guidance from an upperclassmen undergraduate student.
The Hekima Scholars Program creates a supportive community where students can grow academically, socially, and personally while building meaningful relationships and developing leadership skills.
This is a cohort program based with 10-12 students, 1 instructor and either 1 or 2 mentors (1 graduate student and 1 undergraduate student).
Meet the Hekima Program Instructor
Reg Hawkins
Multicultural Student Services
The Hekima Scholars Program provides the exploration of social and identity development to undergraduate men of color or those that are interested in the needs of men of color at UWL. The program fosters a sense of community and connection between scholars with the goal of creating a sense of belonging. Scholars have the opportunity to engage in deep meaningful conversations about the experiences of men of color at a predominantly white institutions (PWI) and applicable research on navigating college and pathways after graduation.
Mentoring areas include
- Identity, social, and leadership development
- Connection to other men of color and those interested in men of color needs
- Exploration of other high-impact practices on campus
- Connection to other UWL alumni, staff, and faculty
You belong
"It reinforced my perspective that we are here for a reason and we should motivate ourselves to push ourselves to do the best we can — even though the odds are set against us."
-Nhia Thao '21
