With a pop tart and juice box breakfast in hand, eight Hope Center youth piled in a van with Hope Center staff to visit three local colleges – Iowa Western Community College, Nebraska Christian College, and the University of Nebraska at Omaha. College visits are one of the most influential motivators of our educational program, the Hope Learning Academy. Members who complete the educational requirements of 35 hours of study and homework time are eligible to attend.
First stop, Iowa Western. With several of our youth already planning to attend this school next year, the students were eager to learn more. One of the favorite topics discussed was the TRIO program, which provides support to first-generation and low-income students. College staff provides individualized services that address students’ specific needs as they confront the challenges of completing a college degree.
En route to the second stop, Nebraska Christian College, many of the kids experienced their first time driving on a gravel road. They were fairly certain that 114th and Highway 370 was indeed the “country.” After the initial location-shock wore off, students were impressed with the new community-focused campus. A non-denominational Bible college with less than 200 students, Nebraska Christian offers biblical-based teachings with a strong focus in service.
Our last tour was at UNO, a school all of our kids are familiar with and a stiff competitor on all of our students’ college determination lists. Visiting the Office of Multicultural Affairs provided an added incentive. This program is responsible for developing and maintaining services to ensure the successful recruitment, retention and graduation of underrepresented students. Through scholarship aid, academic and personal support, students are empowered to attain their educational and professional goals.
Although one of the biggest highlights of the day may have been the delectable nachos from lunch at Qdoba, this college visit trip was a rewarding and enlightening experience for everyone. In just one day, Hope Center youth were able to experience three completely different collegiate atmospheres: a medium-sized community college; a small, Christian-based ministry; and a large, four-year, state university. As they toured, students were asked to record notes and reactions to each school’s visit. Later, they were able to put together full reflections, which encouraged them to decide what components of each place fit their needs best. Alyssa Smith, Hope Center’s education coordinator, said, “When our kids walk onto a campus and stand in a classroom or student center, they can really visualize themselves there as a college student. They say, ‘this is going to be me next year’ and I know they are willing and ready to make that happen.”
First stop, Iowa Western. With several of our youth already planning to attend this school next year, the students were eager to learn more. One of the favorite topics discussed was the TRIO program, which provides support to first-generation and low-income students. College staff provides individualized services that address students’ specific needs as they confront the challenges of completing a college degree.
En route to the second stop, Nebraska Christian College, many of the kids experienced their first time driving on a gravel road. They were fairly certain that 114th and Highway 370 was indeed the “country.” After the initial location-shock wore off, students were impressed with the new community-focused campus. A non-denominational Bible college with less than 200 students, Nebraska Christian offers biblical-based teachings with a strong focus in service.
Our last tour was at UNO, a school all of our kids are familiar with and a stiff competitor on all of our students’ college determination lists. Visiting the Office of Multicultural Affairs provided an added incentive. This program is responsible for developing and maintaining services to ensure the successful recruitment, retention and graduation of underrepresented students. Through scholarship aid, academic and personal support, students are empowered to attain their educational and professional goals.
Although one of the biggest highlights of the day may have been the delectable nachos from lunch at Qdoba, this college visit trip was a rewarding and enlightening experience for everyone. In just one day, Hope Center youth were able to experience three completely different collegiate atmospheres: a medium-sized community college; a small, Christian-based ministry; and a large, four-year, state university. As they toured, students were asked to record notes and reactions to each school’s visit. Later, they were able to put together full reflections, which encouraged them to decide what components of each place fit their needs best. Alyssa Smith, Hope Center’s education coordinator, said, “When our kids walk onto a campus and stand in a classroom or student center, they can really visualize themselves there as a college student. They say, ‘this is going to be me next year’ and I know they are willing and ready to make that happen.”
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