Free Conference for Educators: K-12/Higher Education Collaborations for Student Success: Concept to Implementation

Due to inclement weather, the working institute on "K-12/Higher Education Collaborations for Student Success: Concept to Implementation" has been rescheduled for March 28 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Brooklyn Park, Minn. Educators are invited to register online at http://togpartners.com/k12collabs/register to attend the free conference that is co-sponsored by the Inver Hills Community College's Access & Opportunity Center of Excellence.

The purpose of the conference is to have educators come together to share ideas and strategies to promote college readiness and success for underrepresented students with an overall goal of reducing the achievement gap. Participants will include faculty and administrators from Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU), representatives from their K-12 partner schools and districts, and other educators interested in promoting successful transitions to college for underrepresented students.

The morning session will include a keynote address from Doug Knowlton, MnSCU's incoming vice chancellor for academic and student affairs and former president of Dakota State University, and Bruce Watkins, the superintendent of the St. Cloud Area School District 742. The remainder of the event will combine multiple breakout sessions on specific topics, including practical tips and lessons learned from MnSCU schools and K-12 schools in creating meaningful collaborations between K-12 and higher education.

Presenters from Inver Hills Community College include Woubejig Shiferaw, director of student retention initiatives at Inver Hills, who will lead the breakout session on college readiness for English language learners; Doug Binsfeld, dean of fine arts and humanities, who will join Burnsville teachers to present on a new program offered for students in the "academic middle" to earn college credits while in high school; and Tadael Emiru, director of access, opportunity and advising, who will discuss the college readiness model from Inver Hills.

For eighth and ninth grade students, Inver Hills offers college awareness events, including workshops, student panels, motivational activities and career exploration, as well as a summer program where students participate in campus-based activities, workshops and information sessions.

In addition, Inver Hills runs the PACE Program (Preparing to Achieve a College Education) for students in 10th through 12th grades. PACE offers students the opportunity to take college courses while still in high school. Students take courses on Saturdays during the academic year and during the summer. Students earn up to 10 college credits during their junior and senior years, free of charge.

The collaborations institute is co-sponsored by the MnSCU Access and Opportunity Centers of Excellence located at Inver Hills Community College, Century College, Saint Cloud State University and Minnesota State Community and Technical College. The event is free to participants; to register, visit http://togpartners.com/k12collabs/register. Space is limited and registrants will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, contact Woubejig Shiferaw at Inver Hills Community College at wshifer@inverhills.edu or 651-450-3595.