Indiana Commission for Higher Education award aims to introduce local high school students to postsecondary opportunities
Indiana University Northwest was awarded a $10,000 grant from the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, partnering with Indiana Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP). The grant funding makes possible new programming to expose high school seniors to postsecondary opportunities and assist them in completing the necessary steps for submitting college applications, securing financial aid, and achieving college success. The goal is to promote social and economic mobility by introducing students to higher education via personalized, hands-on activities with faculty and staff.
The Office of Admissions will use the funds to host 250 seniors from West Side Leadership Academy (WSLA) in Gary at a unique on-campus “Bridge to College Days Experience” in March 2022. Open to WSLA students entering the fall 2022 semester, the event will feature motivational speakers, hands-on workshops, and more. Topics to be addresses include understanding the value of a college degree, matching careers to majors, making sound financial decisions, and developing a college completion plan after high school graduation.
"College enrollment gains have been negatively impacted by the pandemic, with underrepresented students accounting for the largest declines,” said Dorothy Frink, associate vice chancellor for Enrollment Management. “This grant will show WSLA students the importance of obtaining a bachelor’s degree and provide them with the knowledge and resources they need to apply, pay for, and graduate from college."
The Bridge to College Days Experience will be based on similar programs IU Northwest already provides to help ease the transition from high school to college. IU Northwest plans to deliver a similar on-campus program to junior high school students in January 2022. Then expand the pre-college activities to middle school students, including 21st Century Scholars, in local school corporations.
To learn more about Indiana GEAR UP, visit indianagearup.org
