Make Your Imprint Count… …Prepare for College & Beyond

Make Your Imprint Count……Prepare for College & Beyond Future Multicultural Teachers Workshop April 1st, 2011 Joyce A. Lehn, Ph.D. • imprint (n.) • appearance (n.) • development (n.) • emergence • growth (n.) • impact (n.) • impression (n.) • influence (n.) • mark (n.) • results (n.)

Identity & Achievement… Peer groups play a powerful role in shaping identity and have a powerful influence on the views that adolescents have toward achievement. ~ Pedro A. Noguera The Trouble with Black Boys…And Other Reflections on Race, Equity, and the Future of Public Education

Deonte Bridges… “I Rise | We Rise” Booker T. Washington High School | Atlanta, GA Valedictorian Speech http://www.apsk12.org/media/VIDEO_PAGES/BTW_Val2010.html “My dream is to leave my mark on this world and help change the lives of others for years to come.” ~ Deonte Bridges ESSENCE.com

Tell Your Story… Deonte Bridges’ story is one of overcoming adversities to achieving success • Knew negative influences representing peers’ lifestyles were not promising • Wanted to make it to the top • Desired to excel inside & outside of school • Urges peers to strive for excellence & not settle for less • Encourages others to be thankful for what they have & to remain humble • Believes anything is possible with hard work, determination & patience What do you want your story to tell? My educational story…

KnowHow2GO… • 4 steps to know how to go to college: • Step #1: Be A Pain (In a good way) Find adults who will encourage you to attend college. • Step #2:Push Yourself Research the college entrance requirements for the colleges you are interested in & take those classes throughout high school. • Step #3:Find the Right Fit Consider which interests, activities, & classes you enjoy the most & then explore college programs that match your interests. • Step #4: Put Your Hands on Some Cash College funding goes unused yearly because students fail to apply for grants, scholarships, etc. • Info at http://www.knowhow2gonebraska.org/ • Sponsored by EducationQuest

Multicultural Considerations… • Look for a school that accepts your culture • Choose a school where you will feel at home • Historically Black colleges & universities (HBCUs) • Provides an equality minded environment • Offers a learning environment based on African-American cultural background & history • Includes the influence of people of color in history • Recognizes the contributions of people of color • Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) • At least 25% of student population is Hispanic/Latino ~ NextStepU.com, March/April 2008

Go.Visit.College! Campaign… • Encourage students to take campus visits • Provides students & their families with the resources listed below • Campus Contact List – Contacts for coordinating college visits • Making Campus Visits Count – List of campus visit activities • Go.Visit.College! – Video highlighting a college tour • Go.Visit.College! – Brochure on college selection & tips for visits • Find the Right Fit Video • KnowHow2GO University Campus Tour – Virtual campus tour • Sponsored by EducationQuest & Nebraska P-16 Initiative ~ EducationQuest.org

College Planning Checklist… • Review high school courses, activities & transcript • Ask your counselor to complete a Retake Grade Form if applicable • Plan, register, & take applicable exams • ACT PLAN (10th grade) • PSAT (11th grade) – Determines National Merit Scholars • ACT | SAT | ASSET/COMPASS • Attend college fairs • Meet with college admissions reps • Schedule college visits with your top 3-6 schools • Complete career exploration activities • Review career plans & match to school choices

Paying for College… • Investigate available types of financial aid • Scholarships • Grants • Work Study • Loans • Complete applicable scholarship applications • Request FAFSA Pin # early in the senior year • Both student & a parent needs to request a pin # • File completed FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) in senior year • www.fafsa.com • Finish financial aid process in senior year ~ Adapted from: 2010-11 College Prep Handbook, EducationQuest

Scholarships for Minority Students… • Hispanic College Fund | http://scholarships.hispanicfund.org • Provides Hispanic/Latino high school and college students with the vision, resources, and mentorship required for becoming community leaders & achieving successful careers in business, science, technology, engineering, & math. • In 2009, approximately $3 million was awarded to 592 students throughout the U.S. • LULAC National Scholarship Funds | www.lnesc.org • One of the first national programs created for reaching out to the Hispanic/Latino community by offering financial assistance to economically disadvantaged, but academically gifted Hispanic/Latino students in the United States • Has awarded $13 million to almost 25,000 students. • Past recipients of LNSF scholarships include members of Congress, university professors, and corporate leaders.

Scholarships for Minority Students Cont’d… • Ron Brown Scholar Program | www.ronbrown.org • Named in honor of the late Secretary of Commerce as it was inspired by his dedication and commitment to public service. • Recipients are each awarded $40,000 ($10,000 per year for four years) to be used at the post-secondary institution of his/her choice. • The program’s goal is to accelerate the progress of African Americans into the mainstream of leadership in the fields of business, education, & government. • Overall purpose is to instill a strong dedication to leadership and public service.

Scholarships for Minority Students Cont’d • UNCF * MERCK Science Research Scholarships and Fellowships | www.uncf.org • Help African American undergrad students who are interested in pursuing a major and career in a science field. • Each award provides up to $35,000 per student that includes $25,000 of this amount to be used toward tuition, room and board, & billable fees. Additionally, these awards provide tuition support & opportunities to gain research experience in state-of-the art research facilities. • The American Indian College Fund | www.collegefund.org • Purpose is to transform Indian higher education through funding & creating awareness of the unique, community-based accredited Tribal Colleges & Universities. • Provides students access to knowledge, skills, & cultural values that will enhance their communities.

Scholarships for Minority Students Cont’d… • The Asian and Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund | http://apiasf.org/scholarships.html • Works toward having all APIAs have access to higher education & resources which will nurture their academic, personal & professional success. • 200 free scholarships for minorities | http://www.blackexcel.org/200-Scholarships.html • Gates Millennium Scholarship Program | http://gmsp.org/ • 100 Minority Scholarship Gateway List | http://www.blackexcel.org/100minority.htm • Black Scholarships & Grants | http://www.blacknews.com/directory/black_african american_scholarships.shtml • Susan Thompson Buffet Foundation | http://www.buffettscholarships.org/application.asp ~ NextStepU.com, March/April 2011

Scholarship Searches… • African American Scholarships • http://www.scholarships.wayne.edu/private.php?offset=50 • http://www.uncf.org/ • http://www.nsna.org/ • Multicultural Scholarships • http://goodrich.unomaha.edu/ • http://admissions.unl.edu/scholarships/diversity/enhancement.php • Hispanic/Latino Scholarships • www.unk.edu/uploadedFiles/admissions/undergrad/msi.doc • http://www.hispanicfund.org/scholarships • http://www.scholarships.wayne.edu/private.php?offset=50 • http://admissions.unl.edu/diversity/nationalhispanic.aspx • http://www.chci.org/scholarships/ • http://hsf.net/ • http://www.latinoleadership.info/scholars_prog.htm • MeritAid.com • Questbridge.org

April Events… • April 5th Lincoln College Fair Lincoln Northeast High School 6 – 8 p.m. • April 7thOmaha College Fair Burke High School 6 – 8 p.m.

May You Rise… Deonte Bridges | Follow-Up http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IyAdMhXkt0 I am the dream and the hope of the slave. I rise. My faith in God and my ability to overcome adversity and make rational decisions have resulted in my academic success. I am committed to education, and I choose to do what is necessary, not what is popular. Had I given in, I would not stand before you today, honored and humbled, to be the first African American male valedictorian in Booker T. Washington High School in more than a decade. Bringing the gifts that our ancestors gave, we are the hope, we are the dream. We rise. We rise. We rise. ~ Excerpt from Deonte Bridges’ Valedictory Speech

Make Your Imprint Count… …Prepare for College & Beyond