StAte Connection Minority Recruitment Event draws 135 high school students from 27 schools
JONESBORO -- The Multicultural Center at Arkansas State University, in collaboration with the Office of Recruitment, brought 135 high school juniors from 27 schools in Arkansas to its annual StAte Connection Minority Recruitment Program.
StAte Connection is a fast-paced and informative one-day program that connects students to the university in the following areas: admissions, financial aid, academics, residential life, campus resources, and student life.
It is aimed toward high school juniors who have a 3.0 or higher grade point average, are matriculating in a college preparatory curriculum, and are ethnic minority students.
“StAte Connection is a great opportunity to introduce students to the StAte experience. They see first-hand what a great campus we have and how involved and caring our faculty and staff are,” said Dr. Tammy Fowler, director of recruitment. “Their exposure to our student leaders, who are often from their hometowns, lets them know they too can find success, have fun and meet their educational and career goals at StAte. Niya, her staff and volunteers put on a great program, which supports our recruitment efforts. It is a great partnership.”
Dr. Lonnie Williams, associate vice chancellor for student affairs, added, “StAte Connection is an important event for the participants because of the special opportunities it affords. It provides a way for many to come to campus that otherwise may not have done so or who had not even given ASU consideration because of the distance from their hometown. Once the students are on campus, they hear information about access to college that they previously might not have received.”
The event provides informational sessions about the admissions process, financial aid, residence life, and campus life. An Academic College Fair gives students opportunities to interact and learn more about the various academic colleges from faculty members along with information from other departments such as the Career Management Center, Student Support Services, Counseling Center, and Learning Support Services. The event concluded with a campus tour.
“The program is a great opportunity to showcase ASU to some of the top high school students in the state. When they think about college, we want them to not just consider ASU but to have ASU as their top choice,” said Niya Blair, director of the Multicultural Center.
Simone Stokes from Jonesboro High School was one of the participants.
“I enjoyed learning about ASU in a fun and interesting way, but what I truly enjoyed was getting to know the ‘real’ Red Wolves, and what was really great about it was that they looked like me!” she commented. “When I lived in California, I didn't really see many African-American students in the colleges and it got me down, so I didn't see myself as a college student, but I realized that I could be a college student and graduate” from A-State.
Janay Hatcher from Newport High School said, “I had a great time at StAte Connection. It was really exciting to learn more about ASU and interact with current students. I’m definitely going to attend ASU.”
StAte Connection is held each spring. For more information on the program, one may contact ASU’s Multicultural Center at (870) 680-4052.
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Participants in StAte Connection gathered for a photograph in front of the Reng Student Union.
