Southeast Missouri State University is partnering with area high schools, so students can learn more about the value of a college degree and to assist the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (MDHEWD) in its mission of ‘Building Missouri’s Future,’ to make Missouri the best in the Midwest for educational attainment by 2030. The plan hopes to raise the number of Missourians who have college degrees from 47% to 60%.
Southeast created a new college bound event for high school sophomores that brings prospective students for a campus visit. The program also developed mentor ambassadors, current Southeast students who meet with high school sophomores as they visit the University.
“This is an effort by Southeast to support an initiative in Missouri’s strategic plan to reach area youth and instill in them the importance of continuing their education past high school graduation,” said Lenell Hahn, director of Admissions at Southeast. “It’s important for the state of Missouri to have educated and qualified individuals to attract and retain business to the state, and the University wants to assist in that goal as much as possible.”
The program has received a warm reception so far with three area schools scheduled to tour the University before year’s end.
“The program is very hands on,” said Hahn. “Prospective students will get to do fun activities to learn about college including a financial aid quiz. We’ll also talk with them about the college search process and help them think about the goals they have for their future and how to achieve them. And, of course, they will get a tour of campus and a complimentary lunch at Towers Landing."
Hahn said students are weighing a lot of options about their future and planning earlier in their high school career is important.
“We want students to know that college is possible and that depending on their future goals, it’s valuable,” said Hahn. “Giving students the tools and opportunity to learn and ask questions helps them make these decisions, and eventually helps Missouri’s economic development, which is good for all of us.”