Approximately 200 middle school student members of the African American Awareness Program (AAAP) in Cedar Rapids will be on campus Thursday, May 1 to experience life as college students and participate in a book discussion.

The UI College of Education Diversity Committee, the Belin- Blank Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development, the Center for Diversity and Enrichment in the UI Chief Diversity Office, and the UI Office of Admissions host the visit.

The African American Awareness Program is for African American students who meet grade point average and attendance goals. The program focuses on setting goals, discussing history, and cultural awareness.

This is eighth time the middle school group has visited the UI campus and the largest group to date. Because of the large number of attendees, the students will break into two groups for discussions of the book, The Butler: A Witness to History by Wil Haygood, as well as for panel discussions about life in college.

Book and panel discussions will take place from 9:30 to 11 a.m. and again from 12:15 to 1:45 p.m. in the Big Ten rooms at the Iowa Memorial Union. Students will break from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. to travel to Burge Market Place to experience how college students eat lunch.

“We love sharing our campus with these potential Hawkeyes,” says event co-coordinator Clar Baldus, an administrator at the Belin-Blank Center. “The book discussion and interaction with UI staff and students is a great way to build a culture of college preparation for these middle school students, no matter where they decide to go after high school.”

Editor's Note: Members of the media are invited to cover any facet of the visit.