Two Northwest Arkansas Community College (NWACC) officials were recently given the task of creating a program to encourage the minority students in high school to further their education in college. The officials, Mary Machira and Codie Ryan became Global Communities Outreach Coordinators of LIFE – Learning Improvement Fun and Empowerment. On June 7-8 a pilot or test workshop will be held to inform the interested students about this future NWACC program.
“We want to reach out to students and let them know that college IS an option,” said Mrs. Ryan.
The Vice President for Learner Support Services Todd L. Kitchen gave the project to the coordinators. His first goal for them was a pilot program or workshop to test out the idea. The pilot program is open to five of the 7A West schools from Springdale, Rogers, and Bentonville.
The application does not require a social security number, allowing for undocumented students to attend. The only catch being that they will have to pay out-of-state tuition if they decide to attend NWACC whether or not the students take part in LIFE.
“I think starting with a pilot program is going to be very helpful,” said Mrs. Ryan. “It means testing it out and changing what needs to be changed for the upcoming school year. We don’t know if what we’re doing is the right way to do it but we want to get there!”
Each school has a percentage of minority students, ranging from 20 to over 50. NWACC only has ten percent minorities and hopes to increase the number with the help of LIFE . Teachers within the schools help out by handing out applications to minority students. In this case the teachers include AP Environmental Science Teacher Lynn Nokes and ESOL Coach Jaime Rabasa who were offered the job by invitation.
“Anything we can do to encourage students to acquire better language and job skills I’m in favor of and will actively work in,” said Mr. Nokes.
Mr. Nokes has worked as an ESL English teacher to parents and worked on the Jones Center program for language and culture that took place last summer. Mrs. Rabasa has worked with Step by Step recruiting students before LIFE was created.
“This is a good opportunity for students to learn and be better equipped for their future,” said Mrs. Rabasa.
Since the program began planning in late February, the coordinators don’t know if they can reach the desired number of 100 to 150 students at the pilot workshop with each school filling 25 chairs. If more than 150 students apply, the teachers will have to choose who can attend but with the late start Mrs. Ryan doesn’t think that will be a problem at this time.
This workshop will include speakers, seminars, NWACC admissions officials, an immigration lawyer, and activities to promote leadership and teamwork. The students will also be able to meet eight NWACC students who will become their mentors.
“I love getting to work with the mentors and meeting new students,” said Mrs. Ryan. “I think I’ll begin to love the outreach more though when the program gets going.”
Former Wildcat Rubicely Hernandez is one of the eight mentors who will help juniors and seniors in high school decide if the LIFE program is right for them. The mentors will also continue their mission through students first year of college.
“There are many bright minds in this country that see their dreams shatter because higher education seems harder for them,” said Hernandez.
Mrs. Ryan and Hernandez also work closely with NWACC dreamers, a club offered at the school in support of the dream act. While LIFE is open to all minorities, Mrs. Ryan and the rest of the team hope to gain undocumented students attention and help them stay in the USA.
“Undocumented students deserve to be in the United States. Most of them came over as small children and have only know the US. It’s their home,” said Mrs. Ryan. “Deportation is always a fear, but by joining LIFE they can stay in the country they grew up in!”
To help promote this program the mentors and LIFE team have attended CAP confrences and even come to speak in English classes. After talking in class 16 applications were handed in and several more were turned in during the following days.
“It helped so much when they came to class, it helped the students get to know more about LIFE and talk one on one,” said Mrs. Rabasa. “It was just on a more personal level.”
Not only are the teachers and NWACC officials excited about the future of LIFE and the ethnic groups involved, but so are the students who are applying to attend the workshop and the program offered during the school year.
“I’m really excited about this program. I think it will help me a lot with my future,” said a senior who applied to the program.
