The, FCCJ SPECTRUM ’ Vol. Ill/Winter 1995 ‘ Making the transition: Programs provide seamless link to higher education With an emphasis on acad- emic preparation and career explo- ration, Florida Community Col- lege at Jack- sonville’s black student success V office is reaching area minority students with the message that col- lege, job training and a successful career can be part of their future. Three programs, College Reach Out, FAME and Career Beginnings, help provide minority stu— dents with a seamless link to higher education. FCCJ ‘reaches out’ to youth with academic preparation The College Reach Out program focuses on academic preparation for students in sixth through ninth‘ grades. During the free, 10—week program, students sharpen their skills in the fundamental subjects of reading, communications and mathe— matics. They also learn skills necessary to succeed in school, such as how to study, take notes and take tests. Students may choose from several optional courses, including science, computers, business and journalism. “Besides enhancing what they may already be learning in middle school, the College Reach Out program tries to raise the students’ interest in learn- ing and achieving,” said Ann Ivy, program coordi- nator. “If they find learning to be fun and exciting, they will, consequently, learn more and be better prepared for the possibility of higher education." The program makes learning fun by taking stu- dents on field trips to nearby colleges or universi- ties. There they learn first-hand about admission requirements and financial aid opportunities, and they have the chance to meet with current college students to discuss the college experience. Another highlight of the year is the annual Career Development Day. During this event, stu- dents explore career options with people from vari— ous professional occupations. “Since our goal is to encourage students to “seek higher education, we emphasize careers rather than jobs," said Ivy. “Given the fact that many of our students stay in the program year after year until they finish ninth grade, I’d say we’re definitely making an impact.” said Ivy. “And over the 10 years the pro- gram has been in existence, the number of students enrolled annually in the program has grown to more than 400.” Minority students find FAME and future While College Reach Out focuses on develop— ing stronger fundamentals for academic success, FAME (Format for Affecting Minority Enrollment) begins preparing students for admission to college ‘how to apply for financial and helping them with career choices. “Many students don’t go to college simply because they don’t know how to go about applying to college,” said Geraldine Smith, professor and pro— gram coordinator. “Their parents may not have attended college so they may not be able to look to them for direction , and guidance regarding college.” That’s where FAME fills the gap. The nine- week program covers important how-tos, such as how to apply to college, aid and how to choose a major. Students also are presented with a variety of career options to consider. “Most of the students in the FAME program are already interested in going to college, but they just need some assistance in getting them there,” said Smith. James Perry was one of those students. Last year —‘ his senior year — he joined the FAME program. “The whole FAME experience was awesome,” said Perry. “I was able to get the information I needed to apply to college, I learned a little more about African-American history, and I was reunited with old classmates from other schools I once attended.” > He also said that touring FCCJ campuses with the FAME program helped to acquaint him with the school he planned to attend. Perry is now work- ing toward a degree in computer science and serves as a student ambassador at Downtown Campus. “I chose FCCJ over a four-year university because I knew I would get more personalized instruction in FCCJ’s smaller classes,” said Perry. FAME students are offered free tuition for the first seven hours of college credit courses at FCCJ. Perry used his free credits to take classes in African-American history and culture, English composition and library research methods. In addi- tion to the credits, he received a $500 scholarship. Career Beginnings teaches career options Career Beginnings, a free program for at-risk or financially disadvantaged high school students, provides information about college and employ- ment, and prepares the students for both of these experiences through a combination of summer school and summer jobs. ’ According to Cassandra Barlow, Career Begin- nings program coordinator, many students join the “I chose FCCJ over a four-year university because I knew I would get more per- sonalized instruction in FCCJ"s smaller classes.” A James Perry was a high school senior when he joined the FAME program. Now he is a com- puter science student at FCCJ’s Downtown Campus. program because they are interested in getting a job, but once in the program, students often (lis- cover that attending college may be the best way for them to attain their career goals. “Some of these students had never even con- sidered college because they thought they didn’t have the grades or the money,” said Barlow. “Many of these kids just need a little bit of direction and encouragement,” added Kevin Cot- ton, program recruiter. To help with their college preparation, stu— dents in the program take academic enrichment classes during the summer in mathematics, sci— ence, English and life skills. There are also several workshops held throughout the school year, ' including those for college and family planning, applying for financial aid and preparing for college entrance exams. To gain job skills and work experience, stu- dents also spend part of the summer working at paid internships in businesses such as banks, pub- lic and non—profit agencies, and area colleges. Stu— dents are also matched with a mentor in the local business community who serves as the student’s “teacher, adviser «and friend.” “The mentors are carefully selected and trained in helping their assigned students with career planning, applying to college if they are interested, and understanding the work environ- ment in general,” said Barlow. The underlying message of the Career Begin— nings program, said Barlow, is that in whatever vocation a student chooses, learning —- whether it be getting advice from a mentor, going to school or receiving on-the-job training —— is important to their success. , OCR Text: The, FCCJ SPECTRUM ’ Vol. Ill/Winter 1995 ‘ Making the transition: Programs provide seamless link to higher education With an emphasis on acad- emic preparation and career explo- ration, Florida Community Col- lege at Jack- sonville’s black student success V office is reaching area minority students with the message that col- lege, job training and a successful career can be part of their future. Three programs, College Reach Out, FAME and Career Beginnings, help provide minority stu— dents with a seamless link to higher education. FCCJ ‘reaches out’ to youth with academic preparation The College Reach Out program focuses on academic preparation for students in sixth through ninth‘ grades. During the free, 10—week program, students sharpen their skills in the fundamental subjects of reading, communications and mathe— matics. They also learn skills necessary to succeed in school, such as how to study, take notes and take tests. Students may choose from several optional courses, including science, computers, business and journalism. “Besides enhancing what they may already be learning in middle school, the College Reach Out program tries to raise the students’ interest in learn- ing and achieving,” said Ann Ivy, program coordi- nator. “If they find learning to be fun and exciting, they will, consequently, learn more and be better prepared for the possibility of higher education." The program makes learning fun by taking stu- dents on field trips to nearby colleges or universi- ties. There they learn first-hand about admission requirements and financial aid opportunities, and they have the chance to meet with current college students to discuss the college experience. Another highlight of the year is the annual Career Development Day. During this event, stu- dents explore career options with people from vari— ous professional occupations. “Since our goal is to encourage students to “seek higher education, we emphasize careers rather than jobs," said Ivy. “Given the fact that many of our students stay in the program year after year until they finish ninth grade, I’d say we’re definitely making an impact.” said Ivy. “And over the 10 years the pro- gram has been in existence, the number of students enrolled annually in the program has grown to more than 400.” Minority students find FAME and future While College Reach Out focuses on develop— ing stronger fundamentals for academic success, FAME (Format for Affecting Minority Enrollment) begins preparing students for admission to college ‘how to apply for financial and helping them with career choices. “Many students don’t go to college simply because they don’t know how to go about applying to college,” said Geraldine Smith, professor and pro— gram coordinator. “Their parents may not have attended college so they may not be able to look to them for direction , and guidance regarding college.” That’s where FAME fills the gap. The nine- week program covers important how-tos, such as how to apply to college, aid and how to choose a major. Students also are presented with a variety of career options to consider. “Most of the students in the FAME program are already interested in going to college, but they just need some assistance in getting them there,” said Smith. James Perry was one of those students. Last year —‘ his senior year — he joined the FAME program. “The whole FAME experience was awesome,” said Perry. “I was able to get the information I needed to apply to college, I learned a little more about African-American history, and I was reunited with old classmates from other schools I once attended.” > He also said that touring FCCJ campuses with the FAME program helped to acquaint him with the school he planned to attend. Perry is now work- ing toward a degree in computer science and serves as a student ambassador at Downtown Campus. “I chose FCCJ over a four-year university because I knew I would get more personalized instruction in FCCJ’s smaller classes,” said Perry. FAME students are offered free tuition for the first seven hours of college credit courses at FCCJ. Perry used his free credits to take classes in African-American history and culture, English composition and library research methods. In addi- tion to the credits, he received a $500 scholarship. Career Beginnings teaches career options Career Beginnings, a free program for at-risk or financially disadvantaged high school students, provides information about college and employ- ment, and prepares the students for both of these experiences through a combination of summer school and summer jobs. ’ According to Cassandra Barlow, Career Begin- nings program coordinator, many students join the “I chose FCCJ over a four-year university because I knew I would get more per- sonalized instruction in FCCJ"s smaller classes.” A James Perry was a high school senior when he joined the FAME program. Now he is a com- puter science student at FCCJ’s Downtown Campus. program because they are interested in getting a job, but once in the program, students often (lis- cover that attending college may be the best way for them to attain their career goals. “Some of these students had never even con- sidered college because they thought they didn’t have the grades or the money,” said Barlow. “Many of these kids just need a little bit of direction and encouragement,” added Kevin Cot- ton, program recruiter. To help with their college preparation, stu— dents in the program take academic enrichment classes during the summer in mathematics, sci— ence, English and life skills. There are also several workshops held throughout the school year, ' including those for college and family planning, applying for financial aid and preparing for college entrance exams. To gain job skills and work experience, stu- dents also spend part of the summer working at paid internships in businesses such as banks, pub- lic and non—profit agencies, and area colleges. Stu— dents are also matched with a mentor in the local business community who serves as the student’s “teacher, adviser «and friend.” “The mentors are carefully selected and trained in helping their assigned students with career planning, applying to college if they are interested, and understanding the work environ- ment in general,” said Barlow. The underlying message of the Career Begin— nings program, said Barlow, is that in whatever vocation a student chooses, learning —- whether it be getting advice from a mentor, going to school or receiving on-the-job training —— is important to their success. , Z ArchiveInABox,JAX,JAX Shipment #7,FCCJ Spectrum,Winter 1995,P01 (1).tif, P01 (1).tif