“The Need for More Educational Programming”

“The Need for More Educational Programming”

As a young professional working in the realm of Higher Education, I often find myself seeking ways in which I can further my own education. In May of 2006, I completed my M.Ed in the Counseling and Human Development Program at St. Lawrence University. Currently, I am the Assistant Director for the Community Based Learning Programs at St. Lawrence University’s, Center for Civic Engagement and Leadership. In the fall of 2007, I enrolled in the St. Lawrence Leadership Institute, whose mission is “to foster the development and engagement of emerging and existing leaders for the advancement of St. Lawrence County and its communities”. However, it was the opportunity for leadership development, networking and discussion surrounding issues in education that made easy the decision to participate. As an individual, much of the success I’ve experienced thus far has been a product of my participation in the various opportunity programs currently available to those students (specifically, Franklin and St. Lawrence counties) in grades six through twelve, as well as, at the collegiate level. It was opportunity programs such as: NCSTEP, Upward Bound, HEOP and CSTEP that fostered my desire to succeed. At a critical point (approximately grade 6/7), these programs began constructing a skills-based foundation for navigating secondary and post secondary education.

However, most of these programs come with very strict guidelines for eligibility. So what happens if you don’t qualify? Given my own personal experience, I would argue that if you are not a disciplined student, you will have trouble maintaining during the first year of college. You may lack certain skills necessary for survival during the first year, such as: note-taking, study skills, time management, money management, social skills, etc. I can’t imagine how different my life would be now, had I not had a skills set and strong support network (parents/mentors) prior to entering college.

I spoke earlier of the need to target those in grades six and seven, as means of motivating and encouraging youth to think about a collegiate career. However, because of my experience working with college students, I feel most comfortable speaking about this group. We not only need to get them to college, but we need to help keep them there. For some time, I have been grappling with the lack of “consistent educational enrichment programming” on the U.S. portion of Akwesasne. It is expected that students should take ownership of their learning and their future, but I don’t believe that they are provided with enough opportunities to do so. Unless, they are in those programs I spoke of earlier. If a student is not a member of any opportunity program, where does he or she and their respective parents go to find assistance with:

Choosing a College/University that meets the student’s needs and interests? (Parent/Student workshops)

Completing the College/University Application Form and essays therein? (Student Workshops)

Completing the FAFSA (Parent/Student workshops)

Developing a “skills” set for success in post-secondary education? (i.e. specific workshops: time-management, note-taking, study skills, money management, etc; a college readiness course). (Student Workshops)

In closing, I am not sure who would be willing and responsible for leading this charge, but I am quite certain who SHOULD be.

Respectfully,

Brenda Papineau