Treated to a Private Tour by the Admissions Dept of the University of San Diego HEART along with Dr. JAM and FANCY were treated to hands-on workshops, class lectures, campus tours and interaction with UCSD faculty and undergraduates, over 50 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 UCSD’s Admission Department and the Black Resource Center invited our organizations 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 UCSD has to offer.
And from UCSD, the event enjoyed the participation and support from the Chancellor’s Office, faculty, staff, the Black Student Resource Center and other undergraduates. “It was truly both a community and university effort,” reported Azizi James Special Assistant to the Assistant Vice Chancellor, Admission & Enrollment Services. The event immersed 8th 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 UCSD Black Student Union on overcoming peer pressure.
Meanwhile, parents attended informative and motivational sessions that addressed their particular needs and concerns including workshops on how to be advocates for their children’s education, negotiating college for their children, and a special stage reading and panel discussion on how to speak to children about the importance of college.
