Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Blue River ‘s first A+ orientation hits home


MCC-Blue River recently hosted its first A+ orientation with seventy-seven students participating. Designed as a credit class, the A+ students spent four days on campus getting an in-depth look at the college experience as well as a look at themselves.

“We really pushed them to look at themselves and what they want to do in life,” said registrar Karen Goos. “We tried to emphasize strategies for making it through college and pursing the career they want. We told them about other students who changed their path completely because of one class they did not like. We saw the students wondering if that was a good idea, basing their future on just one class.”

During the first class session, the students were asked what their future plans were. “We asked them to write the phrase I will, followed by one or two goals on a poster board,” said Jenny Steen, academic advisor. “We then photographed the students putting the goals together and showed the filmed segments to the students at the end of the week.”

It evidently had an impact. While some thought it was silly at first, many of the students realized the profound effect the exercise had. The message, of looking at yourself and decide what you will do with your future, really hit home. “It was the quietest they had been all week.” said Jenny.

Check out the A+ Orientation “I Will” Video.

The A+ program is a state wide initiative developed to encourage high school students to get good grades in return for free tuition at any Missouri community college or technical school. With such a large turnout for the first orientation, Steen is hopeful for the future. “This is just the beginning,” she said. ”We will definite be back next year, bigger and better.”

For more information, visit www.mcckc.edu/blueriver.

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