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AHEC SCHOLARS PROGRAM

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The AHEC Scholars Program is a unique longitudinal opportunity designed for current health and health-related discipline students to gain interprofessional and team-based interprofessional practical experiences in rural and/or underserved urban settings of South Texas.

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APPLY NOW
Start the online application to become an AHEC Scholar!

The South Central AHEC Scholars program is a two-year commitment that recruits, trains, and supports a diverse group of students who are committed to improve health care in rural and underserved communities in South Texas.


The program aims to enhance a student's traditional curriculum by offering opportunities to:

  • Learn more about the roles and responsibilities of other health professions.

  • Work in team-based environments that foster inclusivity and focus on patient-centered care.

  • Broaden their scope of practice and learn strategies to become a better practitioner.

  • Learn and understand the unique challenges that face underserved and rural populations when accessing care and achieving good health status.

  • Support the Quadruple Aim through teamwork.

Why Should I Apply? 

  • Be a part of a federally recognized program

  • Opportunity to engage with communities in 35 counties across South Texas

  • Learn about different populations living within South Texas

  • Network and train interprofessionally with various health profession students

  • Gain knowledge of working with underserved and rural populations

  • Learn about community resources that can improve patient care

  • Become a leader in helping address health inequities

Who Is Eligible? 

  1. The student must be enrolled in an approved health professions program at an accredited university or college. A list of approved health professions programs can be found in the application.

  2. The student must apply to the AHEC center that covers their county of residence. Information on which ST-AHEC Center covers your county can be found in the application.

  3. Students that represent an underserved population or area are strongly encouraged to apply.

Our Practicum Opportunities

Outreach Events

& Health Fairs

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Health Profession Preview Days

Quality Improvement Projects (QI)

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Virtual Opportunities (Webinars, Trainings, Conferences) 

Community Health Education Presentations

Scholar Testimonials

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Alyssa Crawfordd
UTHSCSA BSN Alumna

“The AHEC Scholars Program improved my communication skills with colleagues, and working with other professions is now “second nature.” The program allowed me to apply my coursework to real-life scenarios and bridge the gap between academics and providing culturally competent care. The program also teaches you how to empathize and maintain close professional relationships with patients.”

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Ifeoma “Ify” Nkemakolam
UTHSCSA DNP Alumna

“I’m thankful that the AHEC Scholars Program provided me with unique opportunities to work with other students and get involved in the community. I’m also thankful for the constant support from the South Central AHEC staff. Anyone can receive their college degree, but extracurricular activities, like the Scholars program, allows one to stand out among others. When applying to residency, being an AHEC Scholar showed that I had more to offer than just knowing how to do my job; I also had hands-on experience working with the community and experience working in teams.”

Please contact Roni Vela by e-mail at VelaV4@uthscsa.edu for more information.

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