Investing in the future through education, Cleveland State University (CSU) is partnering with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) to give high school students a glimpse into college life. Under the guidance of the Division of Student Belonging and Success at CSU, led by Senior Academic Coach for Special Populations, Kristina Artino, the initiative also pulls in expertise from College Now Greater Cleveland.
Together, constructing a bridge over the often-daunting gap between high school and higher education, this collaborative effort has seen a significant uptick in the number of students exploring college options. Last year, there were merely 15 to 20 students who visited the CSU campus, but this time, an ambitious leap forward carried nearly 100 CMSD students onto its grounds, according to CSU's news release.
Detailing the experience, students from various high schools were invited to partake in an engaging day at CSU. After assembling an interactive panel with CSU students from majors like art and design, public policy and management, and nursing, the high school participants were offered transparent views into the realities and choices awaiting them in college. "We hope students leave feeling a sense of belonging, feeling like they are at home," Artino told CSU News.
Enhancing the visit, students engaged with CSU's basketball teams, observing their practice sessions, and they were treated to a meal at the Viking Marketplace—followed by a comprehensive tour of the campus. While leading a bustling day filled with activities, Michael Nelson-Garcia and Torrance Nowden, academic coaches from the CMSD/LLC Special Population Academic Coaching team, sought to pour into these young minds a sense of what their own college journey could be like.
As a testament to their longstanding work, College Now Greater Cleveland has been a guiding force since 1967, heralded as the nation's oldest college access organization. It supports a staggering 38,000 individuals annually across Ohio through vital services such as academic advising, financial aid counseling, and more than $111 million in scholarships awarded, CSU's announcement delineated.
The collaboration between CSU and CMSD, featured in a recent video, sets a precedent for similar institutions to follow. It threads together the power of mentorship and practical exposure, all while fostering a welcoming atmosphere that can empower high school students to take the next leap in their academic pursuits. "We want students to not only feel comfortable about coming to CSU and starting college but also knowing that they have someone they can rely on and trust to guide them on their journey from start to finish," concluded Artino, according to CSU News.
