2014-04-07

College Access Symposium – 2014 Presentations

The 2014 College Access Symposium held on April 3 was a great success! If you missed the handouts or slide notes, click on the links below the breakout sessions. 

EducationQuest hosts a Symposium every two years to correspond with our College Access Grant cycle. Nebraska high schools interested in applying for an EducationQuest grant must send a representative to to the event.  

Breakout Sessions

Session 1

The Impact of Campus Visits on Middle School Students  

Taking younger students on a campus visit can help them realize that college is possible. Middle school professionals share their tips on how to coordinate an impactful campus visit for your students.

Speakers:

Trudy Fankhauser, PreK-8 Counselor, HTRS Public Schools

Kelly Apel, Assistant Principal, Goodrich Middle School

Paula Kment, Middle School Counselor, Schuyler Middle School

Stephanie Jacobson, Eighth Grade Counselor, Hastings Middle School 

Click here for Handouts | Slide Notes

New Resources to Help Adult Learners Succeed in College

EducationQuest has developed a new webpage for adult learners, and we’re excited to show it to you! Not only does it have steps to plan and pay for college – it also links viewers to adult learner and veteran programs and services at Nebraska colleges. Learn about this and other ways we help adults succeed in college.

Speaker:

Treve Florom, Director of Outreach Services, EducationQuest Foundation

 Click here for Notes | Slide Deck 

How a Team Approach Leads to a Successful College Access Program

Schools that use a team approach to develop college access programming are generally more successful and have greater buy-in from faculty and staff. Learn how to build a successful team at your school.

Speakers:

Ruth Lohmeyer, Counselor – Team Lead, Lincoln Northeast High School 

Jason Sutter, Principal, Beatrice High School 

Connie Porter, Counselor, Sandy Creek Jr.-Sr. High School

 Click here for Handouts | Slide Notes

Helping Students Apply for the Buffett Scholarship

Learn how you can help eligible students be among the nearly 1,000 Nebraskans who receive a scholarship from the Susan T. Buffett Foundation each year.

 Speaker:

Kellie Pickett, Director of Scholarships, Susan T. Buffett Foundation

 Click here for Slide Notes

Putting the Freeze on “Summer Melt” for College-bound Students

Too many graduating seniors see their college aspirations melt away over the summer. Hear about summer support programs that some high schools have developed to help their graduates make a successful transition to college.

 Speakers:

Dr. Julie Hehnke, Integration Specialist, Grand Island Senior High School

Linda Swanson, School Counselor, South Sioux City High School

Darlene Greer, Grant Coordinator, Omaha Public Schools

Maggie Rasmussen, School Counselor, Aurora High School

 Click here for Slide Notes 

How Community Colleges are Opening Doors to High-Wage, High-Demand Jobs

College doesn’t always mean a four-year degree. Find out how community college certificate programs like Sustainable Energy Technology, Utility Line, and Culinary Arts are helping to meet the demand for high-wage, high-demand jobs in Nebraska.

 Speakers:

Kathleen L. Fimple, Academic Program Officer, Nebraska’s Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education

Dr. Jody Tomanek, Area Vice President for Instruction, Mid-Plains Community College

Ashley Wit, Admission Representative, Southeast Community College

 Click here for Handouts | Slide Notes

Session 2 

Tips for Successful Scholarship Applications – From Those Who Review Them

A panel of scholarship providers and experts share insight into the scholarship process – including applicant do’s and don’ts, application tips, and the importance of letters of recommendation.

Speakers:

Ryan Spalding, Executive Director, NCEE Labs

Rob McMaster, Scholarship Coordinator, Lincoln Community Foundation

Margo Riekes, Communications Director, Better Business Bureau Foundation

Lisa Mueller, Scholarship Coordinator, EducationQuest Foundation

 Click here for Slide Notes

Education Benefits for Dependents of Military Veterans

Military veterans have access to unique college financial aid programs for their dependents. Learn about these benefits and program requirements.

 Speaker:

James Kuester, Director of Four-year Graduation Guarantee, Midland University

 Click here for Slide Notes 

Coordinating a Successful Campus Visit for High School Students

Hear from high school counselors as they share their strategies for coordinating impactful and successful campus visits for juniors and seniors.

 Speakers:

Tracy Post, Counselor, Beatrice High School

John Stanton, 10-12 Counselor, Platteview High School

Monica Noel, K-12 Counselor, Shickley Public Schools

Darlene Greer, Grant Coordinator, Omaha Public Schools

Sabrina Ayala, Counselor, Plattsmouth High School Click here for Notes | Slide Deck 

What It Takes to Develop a College Access Curriculum

Join your colleagues in round-table discussions to learn about challenges and successes when developing college access programming that includes career courses, college and career events, and college registration.

 Speakers:

Tami Wegener, Counselor, York High School

Connie Porter, Counselor, Sandy Creek Jr.-Sr. High School

Scott Engberg, Secondary Counselor, Hastings High School

Angela Kruse and Jared Johnson, Counselors, Columbus Middle School

Kristin Henkenius, Guidance Director/7th Grade Counselor, Fremont Middle School

Jodi Klein, Counselor, Elkhorn Ridge Middle School

 Click here for Handouts | Slide Notes

 Financial Aid 101

The cost of college is perceived as the top barrier to higher education. Helping families understand that financial aid is available can reduce this concern. Learn about the types of financial aid and the process for awarding aid.

Speaker: 

Les Monroe, Director of College Planning, EducationQuest Foundation

 Click here for Slide Notes

The Secret to Finding and Getting Grants

As budgets get tighter and tighter, it may be time to pursue grant opportunities. Learn from an expert who will explain where to find grants and how to write a successful grant application.

Speakers:

Frank Shimerdla, Owner, A&O Grant Consulting

 Click here for Slide Notes 

Session 3  

Tools to Help Students Make a Career Connection 

The Nebraska Department of Labor (DOL) will explain career resources available from DOL and their job-search website, NEWorks.nebraska.gov. You’ll also learn about “career ladders,” STEM occupations in Nebraska, and occupational profiles of careers in Nebraska. 

Speaker:

Jodie Meyer , Nebraska Department of Labor

 Click here for Handouts | Slide Notes

Removing Barriers to College for Minority Students

It’s no secret that minority students are underrepresented in higher education, but you may not be aware of unique cultural barriers they face. Learn about these barriers and how you can help students overcome them.

Speakers:

Mary Janata, 9-12 Counselor, West Point-Beemer High

Jason Leimbach, Math Teacher, Lincoln North Star

Pete Ferguson, Youth Development Coordinator, Lincoln Public Schools

 Click here for Handouts | Slide Notes

Finding Business Partners to Support Your College Access Efforts

Learn strategies on how to ask local businesses to partner on college and career events, and hear from those who have established successful collaborations. 

Speakers:

Maggie Rasmussen, Counselor, Aurora High School

Maile S. M. Ilac Boeder, Executive Director, The Leadership Center

Kristin Fangmeyer, Secondary Special Education Teacher, Ashland-Greenwood Public Schools

Dustin Favinger, Counselor, Cozad Senior High School

 Click here for Handouts | Slide Notes

 Keep Calm and Engage Families

Do you meet families where they are? Hear from a middle school, high school, and community agency on how they connect with families. Walk away with ideas to improve family engagement.

Speakers:

Linda Swanson, School Counselor, South Sioux City High School

Juliana Garza, Youth Attendance Navigator, Latino Center of the Midlands

Jeffrey Westerby, Guidance Counselor, Walnut Middle School, Grand Island

Jami Barrientos, Guidance Counselor, Walnut Middle School, Grand Island

 Click here for Handouts | Slide Notes

 Free College Access Tools for Students

ScholarshipQuest, Activities Resume, Reality Check, and College Funding Estimator – these are just a few of the many EducationQuest tools that help students navigate the college planning process. Learn all about them!

Speaker:

Joan Jurek, Director of College Planning, EducationQuest Foundation Click here for Notes | Slide Deck

Dropout Prevention through Expanded Learning Opportunities

Research shows that when students participate in expanded learning programs (ELOs), they are more likely to go to school, have better behavior, and do better academically. This panel discussion will highlight ELO methods and the coordinated efforts between schools, Community Learning Centers, and businesses.

Speakers:

Jeff Cole, Network Lead, Beyond School Bells, Nebraska Children and Families Foundation

Andrea Curtis, Youth Program Manager, YWCA of Lincoln

Matt Hastings, P-20 Data Systems Manager

 Click here for Slide Notes 

Session 4

 AE and GED: Important Information for Your Adult Learners

This session will guide you to Adult Education (ABE, ESL, and GED® prep) courses for your clients – and it will explain the impact of new 2014 GED test series on instruction and test administration.

Speakers:

Mark Bayliss, Test Center Coordinator, Southeast Community College – Lincoln

Diane Vesley-Robb, Adult Education Director, Southeast Community College – Lincoln Click here for Notes | Slide Deck

 College Access Considerations for Wards of the State

Learn everything you need to know to help wards of the state get on the path to college including information about new laws and how they relate to these at-risk students.

Speakers:

Amy Peters, Statewide Training Advisor, Project Everlast, Nebraska Children and Families Foundation 

 How to Help a First-Generation Student Become a College Student

Students who are first in their family to pursue college may be unfamiliar with steps they should follow and terminology they encounter. Find out what you can do to help these students overcome barriers and make a successful transition to college.

Speaker:

Dr. Timothy A. Alvarez, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, University of Nebraska – Lincoln

 Click here for Slide Notes

 College Access: There’s an App for That

How do we leverage technology for college access? What apps exist for college access? How can social media and texting be used to reach students and families? Come prepared to learn and share how to improve college access by utilizing technology! Note: this is not a beginner ”how-to” technology session.

Speakers:

Connie Porter, Counselor, Sandy Creek Jr.-Sr. High School

Dustin Favinger, Counselor, Cozad Senior High School

Stacie Loeffelholz, Business/Technology Teacher, Centura Public Schools

 Click here for Handouts | Slide Notes

 Financial Literacy for Your Students: How to Make it Happen

Want to teach your students the basic money management skills they need to succeed? Learn how two schools have incorporated financial literacy into their curriculum.

Speakers:

Julie Hippen, Career and Technical Education Team Leader, Lincoln Public Schools

Blake Teichmeier, Financial Literacy Teacher, Walnut Middle School, Grand Island

 Click here for Slide Notes

 Addressing the Unique Needs of Students with Disabilities

Students with disabilities face unique challenges as they prepare for college. An ADA specialist will address those challenges and explain how you can help these students make a successful transition to college.

Speakers:

Susie Dunn, ADA/Equity/Diversity Specialist, Southeast Community College

Melinda Classen, Disability Support Services Coordinator, Metropolitan Community College

 Click here for Handouts | Slide Notes 

Final Session

What You Need to Know about EducationQuest’s College Access Grants Program

Learn about the College Access Grant application process from EducationQuest staff and from colleagues who have successfully applied for funding. This session is REQUIRED if your high school plans to apply for funding in 2014.

 Speakers:

Eric Drumheller, Assistant Vice President, Grants & Scholarships, EducationQuest Foundation

Carlene Fuss, Grants Coordinator, EducationQuest Foundation

Tami Wegener, Counselor, York High School

Erik Kravig, Principal, Boone Central High School

Amy Graver, Counselor, Fremont High School

Vicki Griffin, Counselor, Fremont High School

Click here for Slide Notes

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