I just got back from five fun-filled and exciting days in St. Louis, MO, for College Summit‘s annual Workshop Staff Training and a day of Rap Director Training.
This year is heralding big changes (improvements, really) to one of my favorite national nonprofit organizations. They got rid of their clunky intra-net system, CSnet, and replaced it with a more streamlined and teen-friendly CSNav. They’ve drastically revamped the structure of workshops; instead of one-off workshops donated by willing colleges, they are purchasing space for 4-8 weeks at a time from a select few colleges in their 13 different regions. The new structure allows for economies of scale, reduced staff drain, and program efficiency.
Summer workshops this year will affect the lives of over 3,000 low income students nationwide from rural West Virginia to urban Oakland. And these trained Peer Leaders will go back to their schools to affect even more students who then will start to create a college-going culture in their communities. It’s no surprise that “79% of College Summit workshop participants enroll in college, significantly above the national average for low-income high school graduates. And 80% of those enrollees stay in college.”
And it’s no surprise that I am sitting here anxiously anticipating the summer to arrive so that I can go off to my serve at my workshops.
It’s easy for you to get involved too!
I highly encourage you to become a Writing Coach or College Counselor this summer. The commitment is 4 days (Thurs-Sun), and you must have your bachelor’s degree or higher. Check out College Summit’s website for more info. If you need more encouragement to apply, contact me.
Check out more pics from the weekend after the jump.
Left: A view of the St Louis Arch from my hotel balcony. Right: A Midwest Must… White Castle!
Left: Rey, Karla and Mark at College Summit’s Workshop Staff Training. Right: Filipino Crew at College Summit WST
Left: Joell and Richie at the Banquet. Right: Cutting Karla’s Birthday Cake
Left: Mark and Karla. Right: Red Velvet and Red Dress.
Related Posts:
- Back from the East Coast heading to Denver in two weeks
- Volunteer for College Summit
- Physically exhausted but spiritually rejuvenated
- It’s that time of year again