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First Year Experience instructor Karissa Lockhard, center, with the first Verde Valley Campus Lead graduates.
The Lead Program Gives High School Seniors a Head Start on College
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• www.yc.edu/ycf
Agroup of recent Yavapai County high school grads experienced the power of philanthropy while getting a head start on their college careers this summer.
The students, who graduated from high schools in
Yavapai County last spring, were the first participants in
a new education initiative called Lead. It was designed specifically for graduates who face distractions in their life outside of school that may create barriers to furthering their education. Lead was created this summer by Yavapai College and the Yavapai County Education Service Agency to introduce these grads to college life on the Prescott and Verde Valley Campuses.
In the early spring, high school principals, teachers, and school counselors from across the county nominated some 50 high school seniors to participate in the inaugural program. Eligible students were those soon-to-be high school graduates whose college-going aspirations were being threatened by life circumstances. Nominated students were required to submit a brief essay describing their interest in Lead and their future aspirations, as well as participate in an in-person interview during a campus visit in April. From this group, 29 students were chosen as the first Lead class.
Still, the program would not have happened if not for the Yavapai College Foundation’s ability to provide funding
to cover a portion of the overall cost of the 2015 Lead program. The estimated cost per student for the 8-week program is $2,500 for tuition, room and board, books and supplies, and activities. The cost for students attending the day program at the Verde Valley Campus is $1,250 per student.
Additional financial support was provided by the American Association of University Women (AAUW), which awarded a two-year Community Action Grant to the Yavapai College Foundation for supplemental educational and enrichment activities; the Arizona Community Foundation of Yavapai County, which provided funding to help cover the cost of books and supplies for a portion of the students; and the Kiwanis Club of Prescott.
The bottom line is that 29 students were able to participate for free thanks to the cumulative philanthropy of the people of Yavapai County.
Lead is built around a 3-credit course, entitled First Year Experience, that teaches students life and college success strategies. The course covers campus resources, time management skills, test-taking strategies, self-awareness/ strengths inventory, goal setting and financial literacy.
In addition, students were oriented to YC and academic requirements; they earned an additional three college credits by completing an English class; filled out financial