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IN THIS ISSUE Championship Turf Tender Sounds of Success New Home in Urban Village In the Spirit of the Season Pace Yourself Fill 'er Up With Fries Chancellor's Column Development News Factoids Newsmakers Accomplishments by faculty and staff… |
Reaching Out to Local Teens The
most common question fielded by Nancy Singer, the district’s outreach
coordinator, is from students who want to know if they should attend a
community college, then transfer to a four-year, or if they should go
straight to a four-year college. Though
Singer may be tempted to pitch the San Diego Community College District
as the one and only choice, Singer instead asks the student a few questions
and provides the most honest answer. “For
every student, it’s different,” Singer said. “If we establish
with the student that one of our colleges might be a viable option, then
it’s my job to make the student aware of what our colleges can offer,
things they may not know about. I make sure they understand that the UC
system is still available to them through many of our program links, that
we offer studies abroad, that we have the Mesa teacher’s preparation
grant and so many other wonderful programs. My job is to make local high
school students aware that we offer some attractive choices that may fit
their needs.” Singer
became outreach coordinator in August, after serving in a similar position
at Modesto Junior College, and with 13 years of community college experience
behind her. Upon taking her new job, the fall semester found Singer developing
relationships with college and area high school personnel, and establishing
a long-term plan. Singer’s goal was clear. She would canvas San Diego
area high schools and attempt to increase the number of high school graduates
who enroll in district colleges. She would also increase the number of
students who actually enrolled in the district’s colleges after they
applied for admission. “We
targeted several high schools in the area that had traditionally provided
a low percentage of graduates who went on to attend one of our colleges,”
Singer said. “We have schools that bring as much as 40 percent of
their graduates to us, but now we want to go after those who are providing
only 10 percent or so, and better those numbers.” Another
ambition for the outreach program is making it easier for the students
to apply to the district’s colleges, streamlining the process. “It
makes sense that we want to make it as easy as possible for students to
apply and enroll,” Singer said. “That alone makes a tremendous
impact on the numbers.” Singer
looks forward to the day when she can congratulate students who have completed
course work at one of the colleges, students whom she helped recruit. “It’s
a challenging job, a fun and rewarding job, and I love working with the
students,” Singer said. “I only wish I could spend more time
with them after they start classes. This district has so much going for
it, and that makes it easier for me. I think we’re in for some good
years ahead, and we want local graduates to be a part of what we’re
doing.” |
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