Workshop Track: Student Services

Workshop Title: Beyond Access: Effective Strategies to Foster the Success of Low-income and First Generation College Youth

Presenter: Sam Rowser, Program Director

April 8-9, 2010www.onpointforcollege.org

Yanetsy (Merino) Garay OCC Class of 2008

now attending Syracuse University

Workshop Overview• Brief Introduction to On Point for College• Pre-and-post student enrollment services—

strategies and activities that affect college success

• Example of College Access Program- College Partnership

• Case studies that reflect student challenges and how they were resolved

• Questions and Answers

On Point for College Overview• Mission statement

• To open the door to higher education for the inner city youth; to break down the barriers that hinder potential students from entering college; and to provide support that empowers them to succeed.

• Program serves more than 2,900 young adults • Helped 2,042 Syracuse youth enroll in college since 1999• Celebrated college graduation of 278• Currently more than 1,100 youth in college

• 350 students of our students attend the local community college, Onondaga Community College

On Point for College Overview

• 13 On Point for College staff members• 9 full-time/4 part-time

• Depth of staff• Full Time: Executive Director, Program Director,

Community Investment Director, (3) College Access Advisors, (2) College Success Counselor, Office Manager

• Part Time: College Visit Coordinator, On Point for Jobs Coordinator, Bookkeeper, Office Assistant

On Point for College Overview

Pre-and-Post College Enrollment Strategies/Activities that Affect Student Success:

• Mobile one-to-one college admission & financial aid advisement at 15 community centers

• College visits – three times per week for prospective enrollees

• Transportation to placement tests at colleges• Pre-orientation check – counselors verify admission,

financial aid & housing status of all prospective OPFC new college enrollees

• Orientation program – cover academic success, time management, roommates, etc.

• Provision of Basic Needs and College Supplies – backpacks, stationery supplies and $150 clothing stipend, bedding and towels for resident students

• Basic and Emergency Needs – Eyeglasses, winter coats, food and medicine including pro-bono dental services

• Transportation to and from college for semester breaks/major holidays, utilizing a dedicated corps of volunteer mentors

• Establishment of “campus angels” –i.e. compassionate liaisons (staff or faculty) on campuses attended by OPFC students

Pre-and-Post College Enrollment Strategies

• Follow-up guidance throughout college as follows:*Mobile staff who visit OPFC students on

campuses within New York State at the beginning of each semester; staff help resolve financial aid issues, provide financial assistance for textbooks, if needed, ensure students have full class schedules and show students were learning centers are located;

*Monthly visits to campuses to meet with students attending two-year and Agricultural & Technical colleges/universities in New York State; and

*Weekly visits to local community college to meet with students;

* College success staff help with study skills, financial aid, academic and personal issues; and link students to campus angels and/or learning centers

Pre-and-Post College Enrollment Strategies

• Last Dollar Grants – enrollment and housing deposits• Limited financial assistance for textbooks• Math & Science Grants at OCC – tuition assistance to

take summer math and science course to help advancement in STEM, Business/Finance and health-related disciplines.

• Transfer Services – from two-year to four-year colleges (application, financial aid & college visits)

Pre-and-Post College Enrollment Strategies

• Re-enrollment assistance for college stopouts• Alternative housing for college breaks for chronically

homeless students• Counselor Accessibility – 7 days a week and 15 hours a day• Early Awareness Program – successful college students

give presentations entitled “College is Possible” to youth aged 8-15 at neighborhood centers, libraries, schools, and GED classes.

• Access to On Point for Jobs – transition to workforce including Job Fairs, networking, and summer and permanent job placement

Pre-and-Post College Enrollment Strategies

Example of college partnership that advances student success:

• What Onondaga Community College does:• Active assistance from Directors of Admissions and

Student Services• Track On Point for College on OCC Admissions application• Provide facility rental for On Point for College events• Dedicated review of admission & financial aid status of

On Point for College students before start of semester• Special relationship with EOP & CSTEP• Accessibility to Math Diagnostics Lab prior to enrollment

OCC & On Point for College• What On Point for College does:

• 2 Retention Counselors at OCC 1 day a week• 6 On Point for College advisors to help 350 students

complete financial aid, admissions & housing requirements

• On Point counselors encourage students to use OCC’s academic services

• Provide Math Science Grants to help students enroll in OCC courses over the summer

• Transfer services to four-year college including college visits

On Point for College Case Studies

• Examples include: student who was chronically homeless, student with started with GED– Candace – Calmesha– Marcus

Candace

Marcus

Calmesha

On Point for College Job Fair

Conclusion and Q&A

Contact Information:Samuel Rowser, Program DirectorOn Point for College, Inc.1654 W. Onondaga StreetSyracuse, NY 13204(315) 374-4104srowser@hotmail.com