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Marketing and University Communication UW-Green Bay, CL 815 2420 Nicolet Drive Green Bay, WI 54311-7001 (920) 465-2626 E-mail: hildebrs@uwgb.edu Last update: 9/26/07 |
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In
the News Archive - Year:
October 6, 2005 UWGB opens its doors for diversity Program hopes to draw more minority students to college By Cynthia Hodnett
The all-day program, designed to expose multicultural high school students to college life, advises juniors and seniors on what they need to get into college and how to be successful once they get there. Each year, about 26 percent of high school students who participate in Opportunity Knocks enroll at UWGB, said Ron Morris, program manager of UWGB's Admissions Office.
When the opportunity to attend college comes, Ashlie Kelley wants to be ready.
Kelley, a 16-year-old junior at Menominee High School, was one of 160 students from around the state to visit UWGB Tuesday.
"I'm finding about resources they have if you need help in one of your classes," Kelley said. "I plan to go to college. With this (Opportunity Knocks), I'm learning about the campus and what I need to do to prepare and get on the right track. After seeing it (the campus), I think I could be comfortable here."
The group also took campus tours and met with administrators and UWGB students. Former Green Bay Packers player Harry Sydney also offered students some words of wisdom about how to prepare for success.
"These are students who might not necessarily have the opportunity to visit the campus," Morris said. "Some are first-generation and come from families with low incomes. Many have parents who work multiple jobs and find it difficult to take time away to bring their son or daughter to a college campus."
Many students who attended Tuesday's event have had success in the classroom, Morris said. Sixty-three have grade-point averages of 2.5 or higher, and 25 have 3.5 grade-point averages or higher.
Sandy Resendez, a 21-year-old senior and French/business administration major at UWGB, participated in the program during her senior year at Tremper High School in Kenosha.
Resendez returned to the program this year as a group leader, answering questions high schoolers had about college life.
"It definitely helped me because I wouldn't have found out about the French programs and the opportunities to study abroad," she said. "The students and faculty, they didn't pressure me to come here but to make me aware what's available.
"I think the students who came here this year, they want to learn about those things, (about) the financial aid. I see them as very enthusiastic about the possibilities of going to college."
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