Articles about the Hispanic Pilot Project
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"Summer school: students visited Eco Latino and ABH"
Eco Latino, July 2004
"Escuela de verano: estudiantes visitan Eco Latino y ABH" (Español)
Eco Latino, Julio 2004
"Dalton State College students visit the University of Georgia"
Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, October 2003
"UGA program urges Hispanic students to stay in school"
UGA Public Affairs News Bureau, July 11, 2003
"The 'Steps To College' program"
Eco Latino, June 2003
"Programa 'Steps To College'" (Español)
Eco Latino, Junio 2003
"News CLACS hopes to 'step' up Hispanic enrollment"
The Red and Black, October 10, 2002
"Issue not just black and white: diversity in education"
Athens Banner-Herald, October 7, 2002
"New education initiative branches out"
The Red and Black, September 25, 2002
"Students get boost for college"
Atlanta Journal and Constitution, July 3, 2002
"Universities recruit more Hispanic students"
Mundo Hispánico, August 22, 2002
HPP Presents at Atlanta Latino Summit
On May 20, 2003, participants in the Hispanic Pilot Project presented a seminar at the 6th Annual Latino Summit in Atlanta Georgia. The Latino Summit is presented each year by the Latin American Association in Atlanta and serves as a forum where service providers; elected officials; members of corporate, philanthropic, and academic communities; and others can exchange best practices and discuss future directions. The Hispanic Pilot Project was represented by Dr. Monte Salyer and Ms. Sarida Hoy from Dalton State College; Dr. Debra Sabia from Georgia Southern University; Dr. Mike Padilla, Ms. Christa Hofacre, and Ms. Jennifer Frum from the University of Georgia; and Ms. Sue Sugarman from the Board of Regents Office of International Education.
More Steps to Come?
As an innovative approach to advancing the educational attainment of Hispanic youth in Georgia, Steps To College and the Regents Hispanic Pilot Project have been in the spotlight at a regional academic conference. At the Southeast Regional Conference of Teachers of English as a Second Language (SETESOL) in the Atlanta Marriott Hotel on September 19, 2002, Dr. Monte Salyer and Ms. Daphne Jackson presented on Steps To College. (Dr. Salyer, assistant professor of English As a Second Language at Dalton State College, and Ms. Jackson, ESOL coordinator at Dalton Middle School, are working closely together in the promotion of the Steps To College program in northwest Georgia.) At the conference, several Georgia public educators expressed their enthusiasm of bridge programs for Hispanic youth and spoke of their aspirations to start similar outreach programs to assist Hispanic and other bilingual students in continuing their education. Questions answered at the meeting included program development (student selection, transportation, and duration of program) and sources of funding (the Regents and private sources).
Steps To College Students Recognized by Clarke County School Board
Dr. Holloway, Superintendent of the Clarke County School District and Lyndon Goodly, President of the School Board were also there to offer their congratulations and support.
On Thursday, September 19th the Clarke County School Board had their regular monthly meeting. However, this wasn't your typical school board meeting. About fifteen Steps To College students and their parents were gathered outside talking excitedly. The students had been invited to attend the meeting to be recognized for their participation in the Steps To College program. The students were from six Clarke County high and middle schools and ranged from 9th graders to 12th grader. They had participated in the five-week program, Steps To College, to improve their academic and English language skills and to become familiar with the UGA campus. Dr. Barbara Duke, Director of Instructional Support Programs including Migrant Education and ESOL greeted the students and congratulated them for their hard work Jackie Saindon, Vice President of the School Board and Instructor at the American Language Program, also congratulated the students and introduced faculty, staff and volunteers involved with the program including: Jody Bolgla and Bonnie Muia both teachers in the summer program, Sam Hicks, Counselor at Clarke Central High School, Kelly Harper, Polly Stewart and Carrie Ezzell, Family Intervention Specialist, who helped recruit the students, Jose Romero and Gianna Mansiner, teaching assistants, and Phyllis Francis, who will be coordinating the fall and spring programs. Also, from Gainesville College, Harriet Allison, ESL instructor and coordinator of the Gainesville summer program was introduced. Dr. Duke commented on the successful collaborative effort between the public schools and the University of Georgia. Dr. Saindon coordinated the summer Steps To College program, assisted by Kelly Harper and Janie Lineburger. Also present were Jennifer Frum and Terry Salguero from the Office of International Public Service and Outreach, which administers the Hispanic Pilot Project.
Lyndon Goodly, Dr. Lewis Holloway, Dr. Barbara Duke, and Kelly Harper
The Steps To College students and their parents were called forth to shake hands with each school board member; they were all obviously very proud of the students' accomplishments. Mr. Ramirez, whose two sons Diego and Mauricio were in the program, said that he was grateful that his sons had the chance to improve their academic success. "It is encouraging to know that there is help for immigrants who come here," he said. Mauricio commented that, "the classes helped me prepare for the courses that I'm going to take," he would like to go into marketing and his brother is interested in being an economist. The young men both plan to enroll in UGA and are currently in the 11th and 12th grades.
Steps To College students being recognized for achievements