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from the issue of April 26, 2007
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Elementary school visit expands into 'Nuestra Familia, Nuestra Universidad'
BY TROY FEDDERSON, UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS
A unique recruitment visit to Scottsbluff fourth and fifth graders has grown into a four day, four city Admissions event directed at Latino populations in Nebraska.
| | By Jon Humiston/University Communications.
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Admissions will bring "Nuestra Familia, Nuestra Universidad" (Our Family, Our University) into Scottsbluff, Gering, Lexington and Grand Island on May 7-10. The event is designed to show Latino, Native American and other underserved populations that college is an attainable goal.
The concept started with Amber Hunter's visit to Scottsbluff's Roosevelt Elementary School a year ago. Pulling into the school parking lot, Hunter - assistant director of Admissions - had no idea what to expect.
"I had never done anything with kids that young," Hunter said. "But I went through with it anyway because it was for a good purpose."
Hunter was drawn to the school by an invitation from Jackie Cervantes-Guzman, an associate Extension educator in the Panhandle Research and Extension Center in Scottsbluff. Cervantes-Guzman, a former elementary school teacher, develops and implements programs for underserved audiences. She saw the visit as an opportunity for Latino and Lakota students in the Scottsbluff area.
"I called Amber and started talking about recruitment efforts with her," Cervantes-Guzman said. "I explained that many Latino and Native students are gone when college recruitment efforts start in high school. I told her we needed to start at an early age and she listened."
According to information provided by Nebraska's Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education, the high school drop out rates for Latino and Native American students in Nebraska are 36.4 and 44.9 percent, respectively. The Latino percentage accounts for 16.8 percent of all high school dropouts in the state.
"Poverty does play a factor, but it's also about the choices these students make," Cervantes-Guzman said. "A lot of them are discouraged. We have excellent teachers in Nebraska, but not enough people of color in the system.
"It is important to have role models in the system to help these kids stay in school."
When Hunter met with the Scottsbluff youth, she had them draw a picture of their hopeful career path. Each student discussed their selection and Hunter asked them what they needed to do to attain that goal.
"One young man, a Native American, wanted to be a professional basketball player in the NBA," Hunter said. "He thought he just needed to be able to put a ball into a hoop to reach that goal. But, we talked about the need to get an education, how getting good grades and going to college are necessary for him."
At the end of her presentation, Hunter gave each student a red piggy bank to save for college.
"You could actually see their faces light up," Hunter said. "The students were very interested in what I had to say. It was a wonderful experience."
A desire to expand on the encounter led Admissions staff to Nuestra Familia, Nuestra Universidad.
Hunter said the program will focus on forging community contacts. Events include open to the public Latin Fiestas; bilingual UNL information sessions; visits with elementary, middle and high school students; meetings with local school officials; and question and answer sessions with UNL senior administrators.
About 30 Admissions staffers and students will take part in the program. Others planning to attend are Chancellor Harvey Perlman; vice chancellors John Owens and Juan Franco; and Rita Kean, dean of Undergraduate Studies.
"We are going to work with young students. Administrators will meet with people in the community, including teachers and superintendents," said Hunter. "We are going to find out what we can do to help educate these students. And, we're going to show them that college is attainable no matter what your situation is."
Reaching Out
Nuestra Familia, Nuestra Universidad
• May 7-8, Scottsbluff/Gering
• May 8-10, Grand Island
• May 10, Lexington
Will feature faculty and staff meeting with students of all ages
GO TO: ISSUE OF APRIL 26
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Scarlet Opinion
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