A Rural Community College Initiative North Florida Community

A Rural Community College Initiative North Florida Community College Project Increasing the Chances of Reaching Postsecondary Education Linking K-12 and Community College Interventions Mr. Morris Steen, President, North Florida Community College Mr. Clyde Sperring, Human Resources, Suwannee County School District, Live Oak, Florida Dr. Theophilos Mantzanas, Community Initiatives Coordinator, North Florida Community College

Barriers to Post-Secondary Educational Access n n Inequality of neighborhood resources Inequalities in K-12 schools n n n Quality of instructional offerings Quality of teachers Counseling Low expectations and aspirations Lack of peer support

Barriers to Post-Secondary Educational Access n Inequalities in familial cultural and social capital n n Lack of knowledge achievement Lack of knowledge admission Lack of knowledge to promote academic preparation and of college processes of application and of financial costs of available financial resource options

Early Intervention as a Response n n Given the significant barriers to college and the declining numbers of underrepresented students attending college… Early Intervention Programs at K-12 level linking the school districts and programs at the community college can produce Ameliorating Strategies

Key Intervention Strategies in K-12 and College n Student-Centered Programs n n Strengths and weaknesses for the Project School-Centered Programs n Strength and weaknesses for the Project

Meeting Common Goals n Linking K-12 programs in Suwannee County School District with programs at North Florida Community College n Strategies, action plans, and timelines

Suwannee County School District K-12 Level Intervention Strategies n Six Core Strategies: n n n After-School programs Access to rigorous curriculum Academic enrichment programs Counseling focused on college Cohort building Parent (and student) workshops for information

Suwannee County School District K-12 Level Interventions Perceived Deficit Ameliorating Strategies n Neighborhood resources n n Unequal schools n n Lack of peer support n n Unequal family resources n After-school programs Emphasis on teacher certification and college level curriculum High achieving peer groups, special programs with NFCC to create cohorts Workshops for parents on financial aid and scholarships; workshops on postsecondary options; role of parents in academic preparation

NFCC College Level Intervention Strategies n Five Core Strategies: n n n Mentoring Academic support Psychosocial support Professional opportunities Financial aid

NFCC (College-Level) Interventions Perceived Deficit Ameliorating Strategies Summer bridge program, developmental courses, tutors, study skills workshops, learning communities n Academic Weakness n n Self-confidence, motivation n Counseling, peer study/social groups, mentors n Career knowledge n Service learning, faculty sponsors, research opportunities n Financial resources n Work-study opportunities, scholarships and grants

Effectiveness of K-12 and College Level Interventions n n K-12: Suwannee County School District Interventions College: North Florida Community College Interventions

Q&A Point of Contact: Dr. Theophilos Mantzanas North Florida Community College RCCI Team Leader mantzanast@nfcc. edu 850. 973. 1304