Melvin W. Jones Scholars

Are you interested in social justice and diversity? Do you want to serve your community? Is one of your goals developing your leadership skills? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, the Melvin W. Jones Scholars community is the place for you!

The Jones Scholars Learning Community is home to students of any major interested in making the most of their first year of college through a focus on leadership, academic excellence, and service to others. This community is a living legacy to the late Melvin W. Jones, a UNL Vice-Chancellor, whose life exemplified leadership, civic engagement, and integrity.

Every year the current class of Jones Scholars determines how to focus their service and leadership efforts. During the 2017-18 school year, for example, the Jones Scholars participated in the Safe Quarters Walk, an annual city-wide fundraising effort that benefits Friendship Home, Lincoln's domestic violence shelter. The Jones Scholars also sometimes travel together. For example, in 2012, they visited Memphis, TN and Graceland (pictured here).

Jones Scholars also benefit from getting to know faculty and staff through shared meals and social events. In addition, the community  has the opportunity to meet for regular study hours each week, helping members keep their grades up and succeed in college. The community also has a vibrant network of alumni--both at UNL and beyond--offering Jones Scholars many networking opportunities.

The $95 Learning Community fee for the Melvin W. Jones Scholars is generously paid by the Jones Family Foundation, making membership in this community free to students. In return, members are expected to commit themselves to active participation and engagement in community events and activities throughout the program year.