Desiring to attract a more diverse pool of job seekers to the field of horticulture, the Missouri Botanical Garden has partnered with St. Louis Community College to establish the Missouri Botanical Garden Scholarship program.

The program will include a scholarship for qualifying individuals from underserved and minority populations to cover the cost of tuition, fees, supplies and transportation. Up to four scholarships will be available each year for a total of $14,000 per year.

"The Missouri Botanical Garden is committed to supporting the development and education of a diverse population, including the underserved and African-Americans, in the field of horticulture," said Robert Herleth, executive vice president. "We are hopeful that over the long run this scholarship program will increase the number of employees dedicated to horticulture, both at the Garden and in the community."

The scholarship is renewable each year as long as a student maintains a grade-point average of 2.5 or higher, demonstrates satisfactory academic performance and satisfactory performance at the Missouri Botanical Garden serving in a paid part-time internship to allow students to gain hands-on experience.

“We are delighted to be partnering with the Missouri Botanical Garden,” said Meramec President Paul Pai. “St. Louis Community College is committed to providing accessible education to all who can benefit from it. This new scholarship provides a great opportunity for them to pursue their goals through work and study.”

St. Louis Community College-Meramec is home to one of the largest horticulture programs in Missouri. Students learn the science and art of horticulture through classroom theory, laboratory practice and on-the-job training. They are trained in the college’s greenhouses, outdoor nursery facilities, laboratories and lath houses.

According to Paul Roberts, the program’s director, students may specialize in nursery management, landscape design and maintenance, greenhouse management, horticulture retail sales, commercial grounds management and urban forestry. Graduates find jobs with parks departments, nurseries, landscape contracting firms and golf courses.

To be eligible for the scholarship, students must complete the scholarship application; have completed high school or a GED, or be currently enrolled in the STLCC horticulture program; have a minimum GPA of 2.5; and submit an essay of up to 500 words detailing their vocational aspirations. Preference may be given to qualifying students who are graduates of the Green Tree Academy program. For more information, visit www.stlcc.edu and click on the Newsroom.