Summer Academies Saw Record Numbers, Welcomed Prospective Students
Joseph Baldwin Academy for Eminent Young Scholars is the cornerstone of summer programming at Truman. A residential academy for students who have finished 7th, 8th or 9th grade, this year a total of 463 students attended across two separate three-week sessions. Participating students could choose from more than 20 classes, with topics touching on business, neurobiology, theatre, data science, chemistry, Chinese, genetics, animation, mythology and creative writing, among others.
“It is a special kind of student who wants to spend three weeks of their summer taking classes and attending JBA,” said Michelle Wilson, JBA dean. “These are students who will excel when they get to college, and we have seen a record number of participants in the last few years.”
Historically, JBA has served as many students’ first taste of Truman, and hundreds of program alumni have gone on to attend the University. JBA alumni make up a larger representation of the Truman student body than any single high school. Next year will mark the 40th anniversary of the program.
Inspired by the success of JBA, Truman established a spinoff of the program in 2019 to reach children in 4th-6th grades. JBA Jr. is targeted to students from northeast Missouri communities in an effort to get them excited about the possibility of college. Unlike the Joseph Baldwin Academy, JBA Jr. does not have restrictions for entry based on test scores as it aims to inspire enthusiasm for learning in all ability groups. This weeklong day program exposes participating students to the Truman campus, including the planetarium, herpetarium, science labs, University Farm, and Pickler Memorial Library. A total of 54 students took part in JBA Jr. during the 2024 session.
Truman also saw continued success in its collaborative summer program with the local medical university. The ATSU-Truman Healthcare Academy offers high school students a glimpse of careers in the medical field. During a weeklong stay on the Truman campus, participants experience hands-on activities and stimulating discussions at both schools. Nearly 60 students, primarily from Missouri, Iowa and Illinois, participated in this year’s ATSU-Truman Healthcare Academy.
“This is great opportunity for students who know they have an interest in the health care industry,” said Jeanne Harding, director of the Institute for Academic Outreach. “Through our partnership with ATSU we are in a unique situation where we can provide this kind of experience for high school students, and we have seen our numbers increase every year.”
On the Truman campus, students were able to use the nursing simulation lab, the Speech and Hearing Clinic, athletic training facilities and the new virtual anatomy lab. During excursions to the ATSU campus, student activities took place in the ultrasound lab, cadaver anatomy lab, and the dental simulation lab. They also got to tour the Museum of Osteopathic Medicine. As part of a field trip to the hospital, students were able to explore the robotic arm used in surgery. Throughout the week, academy participants learned about various careers in nursing, neurobiology, chiropractic care, biomechanics, physical therapy, counseling, emergency response and dentistry from doctors, nurses and health care practitioners. Students were also able to engage in a number of fun events, including a planetarium show, a scavenger hunt and bowling.
Each summer academy has its own application process. JBA requires a nomination from a teacher, guidance counselor, principal or parent of a home-school student. The nomination process opens in November for sessions the following summer. JBA Jr. and ATSU-Truman Healthcare Academy have open application periods. More information about summer academies at Truman can be found online at institute.truman.edu or by contacting the Institute for Academic Outreach at institute@truman.edu or 660.785.5384.
