GI students, UNL celebrate new college-going opportunity

Forty Grand Island Senior High School freshmen today joined a new club -- one intent on getting all 40 of them in to the 2010 entering class at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

The UNL "College Preparatory Academy" at Grand Island today celebrated the start of four years of study, dedication, companionship and support from Grand Island educators and UNL faculty and administration.

Four years from now, it is hoped the 40 will fill their prep academy backpacks with university textbooks.

As part of a first partnership between UNL and a high school with historically lower attendance at college, and with the goal of improving attendance at college among students in underrepresented groups, UNL and Grand Island Senior High School are piloting the College Preparatory Academy to help guide this group of freshmen to college and help them succeed there. By getting good grades, participating in special opportunities, classes and with some help from both faculties along the way, the students will earn admittance and scholarships to UNL.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for students at Grand Island Senior High School," Principal Kent Mann said. "It addresses a financial hurdle that's prohibited many kids like those in this group from ever considering college. Now the door's open. If they can commit themselves to this project and show the discipline needed to work and study hard in this program, their future is wide open."

Grand Island's college attendance rate for high school graduates is about 60 percent -- and this pilot program intends to address that by targeting high-ability students who are motivated to attend college, but aren't sure about how to reach that goal on their own. The students selected have family income below 150 percent of the poverty level, are a first-generation college prospect and have demonstrated academic promise, ability and motivation to participate.

"This is a partnership between Grand Island Senior High School and UNL to see if we can have an impact on the college-going rate of particularly vulnerable populations, an issue that is critical for the future of Nebraska and its communities," UNL Chancellor Harvey Perlman said. "We are pleased to work this closely with Grand Island to see if we can make a difference."

The Grand Island Senior High School faculty's portion of the program involves the students each day in college-focused activities. The students are in the same home room, and share a common math and English instructor. Future years will have them participating in block-scheduled classes, attending field trips to UNL and having organized study, mentoring and tutoring.

"They're a small community of learners with a common goal," Mann said.

UNL provides on-campus programs to motivate and encourage college attendance, financial planning sessions for students and parents, and, during their senior year, Advanced Scholars Program courses for college credit, taught by UNL faculty.

After graduation from high school, the students will have earned financial aid coverage for tuition, fees, room and board and books at UNL, receive work/study assistance, academic and career advising, tutoring and mentoring.

"We want to make sure these students are prepared to come to UNL," said Juan Franco, vice chancellor for student affairs at UNL. "This program is certainly unique in Nebraska, and it addresses the needs the president and the Board of Regents and others have identified in providing opportunities to high-ability students in need.

"This program is beneficial for everyone. Not just these students, because an educated citizenry helps everyone."

Monday's meeting with the administrators, faculty and students will start their school year off right, Mann said. "We're hoping this program will develop as a strong recruiting tool to get them to college, get them to a bachelor's degree," he said. "They're excited. This is a chance to celebrate this opportunity with the kids."

CONTACTS: Carol Bryant, Grand Island Public Schools, (308) 385-5900 x 110; and
Meg Lauerman, Director, UNL University Communications, (402) 472-0088