In 1993, State Senator Royce West created the Dr. Emmett Conrad Leadership Program to address a growing need in his community for career-building summer employment for high-caliber college students.

Named in honor of the renowned Dallas African-American physician and educational advocate, the Conrad Program assists students in acquiring paid internships, character-building education, and community service projects. To date, more than 30 organizations and businesses in Dallas area have provided jobs to Conrad program interns.

UT Southwestern Medical Center has been a collaborating partner since the program’s inception. Each summer Conrad Program interns are matched to mentors across the campus – past preceptorships have included experience in clinical, laboratory, and hospital settings. In addition, interns attend career seminars to learn more about the many professional paths in the health sciences.

The Conrad Program is open to students actively enrolled in a four-year college and whose permanent residence is located in Texas State Senatorial District 23, which includes the central and southernmost parts of Dallas, Duncanville, DeSoto, Lancaster, Cedar Hill, Cockrell Hill, Hutchins, and Mesquite.

Application requirements include:

• A minimum 2.25 grade point average
• Academic transcripts
• References
• An essay 

Applicants who meet the approval criterion must then complete an interview with the Conrad Program selection committee before being eligible to interview with UT Southwestern.

If you are interested in being considered for the Dr. Emmett Conrad Leadership Program, please visit the program’s website.