Trailblazer Collegiate Academy Students Make Presentations

Twelve students in MCC-Blue River’s Trailblazer Collegiate Academy (TCA) recently presented their final projects for the summer session. The students made ten minute PowerPoint presentations on their researched prospective. The two topics the students addressed were “gender discrimination” and “the budget crisis in America.” The presentations were followed by a general discussion of the perspectives and how these perspectives shape opinions about specific issues. MCC-Blue River administrators, staff and faculty were in attendance during the presentations. The twelve area high school students make up the second class of the TCA program.

The TCA program offers high school sophomores the opportunity to get a jump on their education by earning an Associate of Arts degree, while finishing their high school diploma. TCA is designed for motivated students with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and are looking for a challenge. By working towards an associate degree, students are also exposed to the various ways they can view any issue and to understand the world in general.

The program, the brainchild of MCC-Blue River President Joe Seabrooks, was inspired by a visit by Seabrooks to Broward Community College in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Their program, known as The College Academy at BC Central Campus, is known to be the most successful program of its kind in the nation. Seabrooks knew that MCC-Blue River could offer that same kind of opportunity to Eastern Jackson and Lafayette county high schools.

“Students in our community now have the opportunity to maximize their academic talents and reach their full potential,” said President Seabrooks. “We have phenomenal students in the Eastern Jackson county area who are capable of meeting any challenges placed before them.”

Upon his return from Florida, Seabrooks put together a committee involving key players from MCC-Blue River and superintendents from Fort Osage, Blue Springs, Independence, Grain Valley and Oak Grove high schools. By September of last year, the committee began designing the program by developing the criteria, curriculum, financial elements, marketing and the possibility of future scholarships.

The pilot program enrolled five students from Fort Osage High School last year. Those students met every Wednesday during the fall semester at MCC-Blue River for an hour and a half. For more information call 816.604.6400 or visit mcckc.edu/blueriver.