Hispanic Pilot Project | Steps To College

Gainesville College: Summer 2001

Steps To College students on a field trip to the Georgia Museum of Art.

In Gainesville, 104 students attended the STC program with 96 students completing a five-week, 65-hour session. They received a .5 Carnegie unit credit toward high school graduation. Students were divided into five skill levels and content areas:

Beginner—Basic Academic Skills Across the Curriculum; one class

Intermediate—Social Studies (American History): two classes

Advanced 1—Earth, Physical, and Life Science; one class

Advanced 2—For credit US History; one class

Advanced 3—College Prep and Graduation Test Prep; one small class

Staff included:

One ESOL coordinator from Gainesville College
Five secondary school ESOL teachers
Eight college student teacher aides
Sixteen K-12 teachers completed field experience for ESOL endorsement
Five college faculty, whose students received field experience

Students from Hall County, Forsyth County, and Gainesville City school systems participated.

Through STC, Gainesville College has established links with the following institutions and agencies:

Piedmont Migrant Education Agency
Panos Foundation
Girl Scouts of America
Hall County International Welcome Center
Gainesville City International Welcome Center (provided translators to assist with school enrollment at these locations)
Hall County school systems (field experiences for teachers)
North Georgia College and State University (NGCSU) (field experience opportunities for teachers)

A minimum of 250 Hispanic students were contacted about the program. Additionally, these students and their families received the "message" that they have options for and reasons to continue with their schooling, and that Gainesville College is interested in their educational future and wants to encourage and facilitate their prospects.

Gainesville College's enrollment of self-identified Hispanic students has increased from 80 in Spring 2001 to 145+ for Fall 2001.

Hispanic Affairs Coordinator

To augment the STC Program, a Hispanic Affairs Coordinator was hired whose focus is recruiting Hispanic students to Gainesville College and helping them to succeed. These students are guided through the application process, informed about financial aid, grants and scholarships and given information about college programs. Current Gainesville College Hispanic students are also provided with information and assistance they need to succeed in their college studies.

The Hispanic Affairs Coordinator is responsible for the following activities:

Arranging and hosting four campus tours for Hispanic parents and prospective high school students from Hall County high and middle schools.

Making appointments with 40 Gainesville College Hispanic Students for introductions and orientation.

Forming a recruitment team of four Gainesville Hispanic students for visiting high schools and participation in bi-weekly radio program.

Holding meetings with Hispanic seniors at area high schools.

Arranging for a weekly radio program about the importance of post-secondary education on a Spanish language station.

Establishing linkages with 19 high schools and middle schools.

Established connections with Radio-Mex, Radio La K-Buena, El Puente Hispanic Committee, Nuevo Impacto Hispanic Magazine, Grupo de Teatro la Vela, The Goizueta Foundation, and the High Art Museum of Atlanta.