Preparing Students for College Completion

According to the U.S. Department of Education, only four in ten college students entering a four-year degree program finish within six years.  The declining number of college graduates, especially among low-income and first generation families, perpetuates economic insecurity and inequality.  Increasing college enrollment and completion has become a national priority.  Westchester’s schools districts and youth serving agencies working to prepare high school students for college now must understand that college prep is only have the battle:  Students must be prepared for college completion.

On Tuesday, April 12, 2011 the Westchester Community Foundation will host a conference looking at the issues of college completion:  what can the latest research tell us about students’ needs, and what is currently in place that is working?  The conference, to be held at the Music Conservatory of Westchester, will feature nationally-recognized experts as well as the director of a local program whose students are beating the odds.

The breakfast keynote address will be Jean Johnson, Executive Vice President of Public Agenda, a think tank in New York City.  Ms. Johnson will present the findings of a study funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation on the myths and realities about why so many students fail to finish college.

Dr. Bettye Perkins, founder and Executive Director of Today’s Students, Tomorrow’s Teachers, a Westchester-based college preparation and mentoring program now in its 15th year, will discuss how the program has succeeded in helping 79% of its students graduate from college. 

College completion also is a big topic on campus.  St Francis College in Brooklyn Heights has retention programs in place that are resulting in high graduation rates for its diverse student body.  Monica Michalski, Assistant Dean for Freshman Studies and Academic Support, and Steven Catalano, Director for Institution Research, will talk about the college’s success in getting students to completion.

The Lunch keynote will be presented by Dr. Todd Bloom, chief academic officer of Naviance, the premier web-based student college and career planning platform.  Dr. Bloom will discuss how Naviance’s links to the National Student Clearing House can help schools understand how best to prepare high school students for the rigors of college.

Finally, a panel made up of first-generation college students and recent graduates will share their insights on what helped them complete college.

“For so many years, there has been a sense that just helping students gain admission to a college has been enough,” said Betsy Bush, program officer for the Westchester Community Foundation.  “But we’re beginning to understand that admission is only the beginning.  First generation students face enormous hurdles in their pursuit of a college degree, with only one of them being financial.”  Bush said challenges include adequate academic preparation, families that may be ambivalent about college attendance, and attending a college that understands the needs of first-generation students. 

The April 12 conference is free of charge, but seating is limited.  Those interested in attending should email Betsy Bush:  bbush@wcf-ny.org.

Westchester Community Foundation (WCF), a division of The New York Community Trust, was founded in 1975 to build a permanent source for philanthropy in Westchester County.  Guided by a Board of Advisors composed of community leaders, the Westchester Community Foundation provides donors with maximum tax savings, professional staff support, in-depth knowledge of Westchester, and permanence within the community.  Westchester Community Foundation donors benefit from the investment and financial management services of its parent, The New York Community Trust, an 83 year-old institution with assets of nearly $1.8 billion.

We invite you to learn more about the Westchester Community Foundation be visiting the Web site at www.wcf-ny.org, or calling (914) 948-5166.