Treated to a Private Tour by USD’s Black Student Resource Center campus tours and interaction with undergraduates, over 30 pre-college students, parents and mentors got more than just a savory taste of university life. “As an African American,” said one parent who participated, “I think this event not only challenged young Black students to dare to dream college and to go after that dream, but also challenged parents to get involved, and stay involved, in preparing their children for higher education starting in early childhood.”
Indeed, the message of early academic preparation and active parental involvement were important goals when USD’s Black Student Resource Center invited our organization to take part in this eye opening experience. The event was not only intended to help enhance college-going rates of African Americans in San Diego, but to also provide an opportunity to showcase the academic and career opportunities USD has to offer.
The event immersed 7th through 12th grade students in various interactive activities with faculty, staff and undergraduates based upon students’ grade levels and academic interest. These included workshops on why college is important, how to develop “mental toughness ” for college, a debate with the USD Black Student Union on overcoming peer pressure.
