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Edison’s
Connect to College program a success in its first year
Edison Community College and partnering Greenville, Piqua, and Sidney
High Schools close the books on the first year of a two-year
partnership for the college bound grant, Connect to College. TG
Philanthropy’s awareness program, Adventures in Education
(AIE–www.aie.org<http://www.aie.org>), awarded Edison and the
partnering high schools a grant in excess of $200,000 to help area
students plan and complete their journey through higher education.
During the 2013-2014 academic school year, over 750 students
participated in different educational activities, which prepared them
for the college selection journey. These opportunities included,
Greenville’s College Club, Piqua’s College 101 Course, Sidney’s
Mini-College 101 and Sessions to the upper level college preparatory
classes.
Many students also took advantage of having an onsite College Bound
advisor to help with questions or concerns regarding the college
selection process, how to apply to college, or even how to find
scholarships to pay for the cost of attending college.
Students also had the opportunity to complete the ACT COMPASS testing
which allowed them to gauge their college readiness with college level
course work; this testing was provided at no cost to students working
with the College Bound Advisor. Even parents had an opportunity to get
involved by attending Parent College 101 presentations offered at each
of the high schools.
Edison’s Tracey Wheeler who serves as Greenville High School’s College
Bound Advisor had the following to say about the program’s success.
“The Connect to College program at Greenville High School has been a
great success with initial implementation for the sophomore class and
their parents. Students had the opportunity to join the College Club to
help them gain more knowledge on the college selection process, which
will continue to be available to them until they graduate in 2016.”
“In addition, many juniors and seniors took advantage of the program
and learned about college visits, admission requirements, paying for
college, and finding the perfect fit for them after high school,” added
Wheeler. “It was great to see the students’ enthusiasm for
opportunities that are available to them! In addition, it was wonderful
to work with the staff at Greenville High School as they embraced the
program as another resource to help their students succeed.”
“This opportunity has really taken off and I look forward to it
continuing to grow in the next academic year,” said Edison’s Rob Cowles
who serves as the Piqua & Sidney High School’s College Bound
Advisor. “Students were a bit cautious at first, but once word got out
about the program more and more students would just pop their head in
for a quick question.”
“It has been a lot of fun seeing the shift in thinking of students with
regards to their own future and going to college,” added Cowles. “I am
looking forward to working with students that I met last year, getting
to know more students, and hearing how the graduates are doing with
their first semester in college.”
While high schools are on break for the summer, the College Bound
Advisors are still available to assist students who are looking to get
a jump-start on their college education selection. All grade levels are
invited to take advantage of the Connect to College program. For more
information about this program, email Rob Cowles, Piqua and Sidney High
School College Bound Advisor at
rcowles@edisonohio.edu<mailto:rcowles@edisonohio.edu> or Tracey
Wheeler, Greenville High School College Bound Advisor at
twheeler5179@edisonohio.edu<mailto:twheeler5179@edisonohio.edu>.
Now in its fifth decade of service, Edison Community College is
committed to providing higher education and advanced training
opportunities for the people of the greater Miami Valley. Edison is
accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central
Association of Colleges and Schools and is recognized with the highest
order attainable by the Ohio Board of Regents. With campuses in Piqua
and Greenville, Edison provides a Personal Experience and Rewarding
Education. Visit us online at www.edisonohio.edu
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