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Higher Achievement Partners with Penn State
Washington, DC – August 4, 2008 – Higher Achievement today announced a newly created partnership with The Pennsylvania State University. For the next three years, the university has committed to host Higher Achievement scholars for an annual overnight visit designed to encourage and inspire the college-bound students. Penn State’s sponsorship is a significant investment in changing the lives of 600 motivated middle-school students. The next college visit to Penn State beings today, August 4, and will include 200 Higher Achievement scholars.
“We are excited about our expanded relationship with Penn State. Taking our scholars to visit colleges while they are still in middle school is strategic,” said Lynsey Wood Jeffries, Executive Director, DC-Metro. “It has been statistically proven that the middle school years are when students make their decisions about their educational futures. With help from Penn State, Higher Achievement scholars will begin to picture themselves as prospective college students.”
The Higher Achievement program was introduced to Penn State by Robert Marshall, Department Head of Economics at Penn State and a member of Higher Achievement’s President’s Council. The College of the Liberal Arts, Outreach, and the provost’s office, in partnership with other university offices, will be the sponsors and hosts for the visit. Dean Susan Welch of the College of the Liberal Arts believes in the value of the experience of college visits for the scholars and the benefits to Penn State of having these young students on campus.
“By the time the scholars graduate from Higher Achievement, they have visited up to three college campuses. Most scholars will be the first in their families to attend college so helping them envision themselves as college students is important,” said Dean Welch. “And, we hope that these bright young students will also come to think of Penn State as their school of choice.”
Higher Achievement first visited Penn State last year. The scholars experienced campus attractions like the Planetarium and The Matson Museum of Anthropology. They also attended sessions on college preparation and a panel discussion on college life.
“It was great to see what a college campus is like and talk with real college students about their experiences,” said recent Higher Achievement graduate Dominique Jones. “I want to make sure I have the chance to take advantage of all the opportunities offered by a college education.”
About Penn State University
Penn State is a multi-campus public research university that improves the lives of the people of Pennsylvania, the nation, and the world through integrated, high-quality programs in teaching, research, and service. The university holds a unique responsibility to provide access, outreach, and public service to support the citizens of the Commonwealth and beyond. For more information, please visit www.psu.edu.
