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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