Chicago 9th grader gets lessons in college life

August 10, 2010 - 12:26 PDT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA ADVISORY

WINONA, MN (August 10, 2010) - NiaPearl Minor-Clark, a 9th grader from Chicago's west side, just completed a summer experience unlike that of other students her age. She was chosen to take part in a two-week program where home was a university dorm 300 miles away, and where homework was due daily - all part of a first-of-its-kind academic camp at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota.

Minor-Clark was one of 25 students selected from across the country to prepare for college success in Winona, Minn., thanks to a rigorous, no-charge camp called Countdown to College. From July 24-Aug. 7, the camp immersed these students in college prep classes and life on campus. And this year was just the start; Saint Mary's plans to welcome back the same students for four consecutive summers. Each summer they will be joined by a new group of 9th graders.

Defying the odds
While waiting in her car outside Minor-Clark's apartment on July 24, Kathy Donohue, assistant principal at San Miguel School - Gary Comer Campus on Chicago's west side, was asked if she was buying drugs. "Anyone waiting in a car in that neighborhood so early on a Saturday is presumed to be buying drugs," she said. In reality, Donohue was picking up Minor-Clark and her mother to drive to Saint Mary's University.

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While living in a world of drug-dealing and gangs, Minor-Clark dreams of becoming a chemical engineer or a computer engineer.

Accomplishing this dream would be an important achievement for the 13-year-old. She would be only the second in her family to graduate from college (her older sister - and only sibling - was the first).

Despite hardships, Minor-Clark rose to the top of her middle school class, graduating as the valedictorian this past spring.

Minor-Clark's teachers selected her as a finalist for Countdown to College after Brother Edmund Siderewicz, the founder of the San Miguel Schools, approached them with the opportunity. Siderewicz is now the assistant to the president for First-Generation and Lasallian Initiatives at Saint Mary's University.

Minor-Clark wrote an essay as her final step prior to acceptance into Countdown to College. Three San Miguel students participated in the university's Countdown to College program. The 102 students at San Miguel - Gary Comer Campus are African American and come from financially struggling families.

"The community where our students live has a 40 percent high school graduation rate," said Donohue, who participated in Countdown to College as a teacher. "At San Miguel, 88 percent of our alumni graduate from high school."

Minor-Clark will attend Fenwick High School starting this fall, and Donohue will continue to monitor her grades, social adjustment, and financial well-being for the next four years.

"Following our graduates through high school is significant for families whose traditions haven't included college," said Donohue, who sees Countdown to College as another motivating factor for students like Minor-Clark.

"Countdown to College is designed to ensure college success for first-generation students whose parents did not have the opportunity to go to college," said Dr. Jane Anderson, dean of the School of Education for Saint Mary's University, who helped develop the program. "First-generation students, many of them students of color from underserved schools and communities, are at an economic and educational disadvantage when it comes to reaching and finishing college."

Countdown to College part of broader scholarship initiative
Countdown to College is one part of Saint Mary's University's broader First-Generation Initiative to improve college access and success among students from underserved communities.

Countdown to College graduates will receive preferential consideration to participate in the university's new First-Generation Initiative, which provides full four-year scholarships to up to 15 students annually who demonstrate financial need, leadership, and academic potential.

One of those students is San Miguel alumnus Dekeshia Horne, who graduated from the same high school that Minor-Clark will attend this fall.

"Countdown to College and our First-Generation Initiative reflect Saint Mary's mission to make higher education accessible to learners, regardless of their financial situations," said Brother William Mann, president of Saint Mary's University.

Minor-Clark is excited by the opportunities provided by Countdown to College and the First-Generation Initiative. She says that Saint Mary's is definitely on her list of college options.

About Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is a private, Lasallian Catholic institution offering comprehensive undergraduate and graduate programs. About 1,400 students are enrolled in the residential undergraduate College at the Winona campus, established in 1912. Approximately 4,300 students are enrolled in the Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs, which offers certificate, bachelor degree completion, master degree and specialist and doctoral programs. The university delivers education to its adult learners through campuses in Minneapolis, Winona and Nairobi, Kenya; centers in Apple Valley, Rochester, Minnetonka and Oakdale; and at numerous other locations in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Jamaica. Saint Mary's is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association, www.ncahlc.org.

Contact

Goff & Howard
http://www.smumn.edu
MN, 55101 US
Jennifer Hellman - , 651-292-8062

Keywords

college prep, St. Mary's University, minority community

Category

Catholic Schools & Religious Education

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