SEMO has been a key partner in higher education partnerships with College Bound students since 2008. The St. Louis-based organization, established in 2006, focuses on student success initiatives to help students from disadvantaged backgrounds complete higher education and enter successful careers. College Bound goes beyond enrolling in college—working with high school students and giving continuous support through their time at college and even after graduation. Over the years, SEMO has served nearly 100 College Bound students, demonstrating a strong commitment to the organization and all the students who have joined the SEMO community.

Charles Blackmon, the Coordinator of Educational Access Programs, serves as the primary contact for the College Bound partnership here at the University.

“Our partnership with College Bound allows us network and engage with incoming students before they even arrive on campus,” said Blackmon. “It also reinforces the need to collaborate to best know and support students as we build working relationships with each of them.”      

This official MOU will further solidify and expand the growing partnership with a focus on student success initiatives and a collaborative approach to providing support from freshman year through graduation. College Bound students will now have a support system on SEMO’s campus including a mentor who will help them navigate their college experience. There are seven continuing College Bound students, along with four freshman who are enrolled for the fall 2024 semester.

“We are excited for this partnership with College Bound,” said SEMO President Dr. Carlos Vargas. “We are always seeking opportunities to enhance higher education accessibility for any student who wants to pursue a degree and launch a successful career. We are appreciative for partners such as College Bound in assisting us in that mission.”

Milton Mitchell Jr., Executive Director of College Bound, echoed those sentiments, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts in fostering higher education partnerships.

“Whatever we can do to help students, really compounds when we work with universities,” said Mitchell. “Seeing the work that’s been done at SEMO is immensely helpful for us. We are so glad to work with people that are so devoted to their students.”