NSU and KIPP Tulsa Help Students Envision the Possibilities

For the eighth year, Northeastern State University and KIPP Tulsa College Preparatory, a public charter middle school in Tulsa, partner to give seventh grade students a chance to experience college first-hand.

After the bus drops the students off at the NSU Broken Arrow campus the morning of Wednesday, August 20, the students will find out more about theLearning with Learning Stylesprogram, getting their hands dirty inForensic Anthropology, and participating inProject Wild: Oh Deer!Representatives from various colleges will provide demonstrations to students to shed light on these areas of study.

Every student can learn, NSUs Director of Teaching and Urban Reform Network, Dr. Allyson Watson said. At NSU, we teach our pre-service teachers how to create an atmosphere of learning and mutual respect to help students achieve academic success. In my work with urban schools, educating others begins by building meaningful relationships with students. From there, and with this same commitment from teachers and students, even the most at-risk students can believe in themselves.

Students from the Teaching and Urban Reform Network (TURN) not only help with this project, but are involved with KIPP during their school year to learn various classroom management techniques and see some of their successful practices in action.

The college experience at NSU is part of KIPP Tulsas effort to put its students 92 percent of whom are from low-income households on the path to and through college.

Dean of the NSUBA campus Dr. Christee Jenlink adds, Hosting the students from KIPP is always a highlight of the academic year at NSU. Having the opportunity to immerse students in university academics and activities means we can be part of a life changing experience for these children, many who will be first generation college attendees.

KIPP Tulsa is part of the national network of 162 KIPP public charter schools. Serving more than 58,000 students nationwide, KIPP schools are dedicated to preparing students from underserved communities for success in college and in life. Nationally, 44 percent of students who finished eighth grade at KIPP 10 or more years ago have graduated from a four-year college.This is significantly above the national average for all students (29 percent) and five times the rate for students from the lowest economic quartile (8 percent).

According to Executive Director of KIPP Tulsa, John Wolfkill, Statistically, the most successful college-bound students know their academic standing, build a smart college wish list, start preparing for college early and are aware and ready for the cost of college. These visits are about projecting whats possible and instilling in students a belief that they belong in college. Being on campus, being taught by college professors, our KIPPsters are beginning to envision what it would be like to live and study on campus.

It all starts with a visit to campus.

For more information, please contact Tricia Horn at 918-449-6026.