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DeSousa-Brent Scholars

Academics > DeSousa-Brent Scholars

A Community of Scholars.

The DeSousa-Brent Scholars program proactively recruits students from groups underrepresented in higher education. Students gain the unique opportunity to join a supportive community of gifted individuals. The program provides each scholar with supplementary and preparatory courses, regular motivational events, and individual mentoring to cultivate their academic and leadership potential.

The program’s success is evident through the achievement of these students as they complete internships and enter employment in competitive industries. They become standard-bearers for diversity and inclusion, both at St. Mary’s College, and throughout their future academic and professional careers.

Our History

In 2008, the DeSousa-Brent Scholars Program was created to promote the availability of a liberal arts education to underrepresented students in higher education. Since its inception, the program has mentored hundreds of scholars. The program was named for Mathias DeSousa and Margaret Brent, two important figures in the early history of Maryland at St. Mary’s City.

Mathias DeSousa was the first black man to have a vote as a landowner in the colony of Maryland. He began his time in Maryland as an indentured servant, but eventually earned his release from servitude and become a landowner, serving in the legislative assembly.

Margaret Brent broke gender role barriers and social expectations for women of her time by becoming a landowner with her sister. She was trained as a lawyer and is known as the first suffragette. DeSousa-Brent Scholars enter the St. Mary’s College community with that same sense of possibility for creating social change through leadership.

Student at the dock
Students on the dock

Our Programming

Going away to college is one of the most exciting and challenging experiences of our lives. DeSousa-Brent programming is designed to make that transition fun and engaging. From collaborative team projects to expert-led workshops, these programs not only encourage a student’s academic success – they expand their awareness of the larger world beyond.

The programs aim to encourage a community where individuals:

  • Respect for the natural environment and traditions of tolerance
  • Cultivate a life-long quest for disciplined learning and creativity
  • Take individual responsibility for their work and actions
  • Foster relationships based upon mutual respect, honesty, integrity, and trust
  • Engage in an ongoing dialogue that values differences and the unique contributions of others’ talents, backgrounds, customs, and world views
  • Commit to examining and shaping the functional, ethical values of our changing world
  • Contribute to a spirit of caring and an ethic of service

Academic Courses

DBSP 101. Academic and Leadership Seminar I (2Su)

This course examines the transition to the honors college through critical study on academic culture, liberal arts education, regional history, theories of ethnic identity development, critical and creative thinking and a review of study skills and campus resources. Each student participates in an approved diversity experience.

DBSP 102. Academic and Leadership Seminar II (2S)

This course explores the nature of leadership, styles of leadership and how leadership and power intersect with each other and with service. Each student participates in a service project during the semester and presents their findings to the St. Mary’s College community at the end of the semester. Participation on DBSP 101 is preferred but not required.

DBSP 301. DeSousa-Brent Mentor (2F)

This course is designed for two students for each section of DBSP 101. Students serve as mentors and learning assistants for both the summer program and the fall seminar. They act as role models for scholars and serve as resource persons both in and out of class. Specifically, DeSousa-Brent Mentors assist with adjustment issues to college and to college-level work. They will assist with individual conferencing, provide guidance for presentations and diversity projects, read the seminar course material, read articles on teaching first-year students, and maintain journals throughout the semester. A reflection paper on the experiences with the course, the concepts of teaching and learning in relation to their role and the benefits of the seminar to students will serve as the culminating project. Prerequisites: DBSP 101, DBSP 102, and successful completion of the application process.

DBSP 302. DeSousa-Brent Mentor (2S)

This course is designed for two students for each section of DBSP 102. Students serve as mentors and learning assistants for the spring seminar. They act as role models and serve as a resource persons both in and out of class. Specifically, DeSousa-Brent Mentors continue to monitor the academic progress of students in their section. They assist with conferencing, plan and participate in program activities, coordinate panelists for panel discussions, design a service project for the course or approve individual service projects, read course material, and maintain journals throughout the semester. A reflection paper on what they have learned about leadership (including leadership of their peers), their experiences of and beliefs concerning intersections of leadership, power and service. Prerequisites: DBSP 101, DBSP 102 and successful completion of the application process.

Peer Mentors

Peer Mentors are an integral part of the DeSousa-Brent Scholars Program. They serve as a liaison between the College, faculty, and first-year DeSousa-Brent Scholars. They help lead classroom discussions and provide an advanced student perspective within seminars; they also provide crucial social support, being Scholars who have themselves just completed their first year at St. Mary’s College. They receive academic credit by concurrently enrolling in DBSP301: DeSousa-Brent Mentor I and DBSP302: DeSousa-Brent Mentor II.

Four students sit at desks in a classroom, attentively listening and taking notes, with notebooks and pens in front of them.

Summer Bridge

Hosted by the DeSousa-Brent Scholars Program, Summer Bridge is an intensive college prep workshop designed to support scholars as they transition to college life. Participants stay on campus while taking academic courses, attending interactive workshops and events, and building strong connections with St. Mary’s College students, faculty, administration, and staff.

Become a DeSousa-Brent Scholar

The DeSousa-Brent Scholars program is available to underrepresented students in Maryland and Washington D.C., including but not limited to:

  • First generation college students
  • Students eligible to receive Pell Grants and Pell Grant recipients
  • Ethnic minorities and students from diverse backgrounds
  • Students with disabilities
  • Students from rural and urban communities
  • Potential DeSousa-Brent Scholars are also identified by their leadership potential and commitment to service.

90%

of DeSousa-Brent Scholars return for their sophomore year.