MCC High School Pathways and First Generation Scholars: Where will they lead you?
By Madison Albee
Transitioning from high school to college is challenging for many, especially if you are the first one in your family to pursue higher education. MCC wants to see students excel during that transition and help them achieve their goals. Two ways students can accomplish this through MCC are with High School Pathways and the First Generation Scholars Program.
High School Pathways
High school students now have the chance to get their feet wet in taking college courses, and they can stay ahead of the game once they transfer to MCC or the four-year college of their choice. MCC’s High School Pathways program allows students to enroll in college-level courses while still in high school. Students may enroll in academic courses, which typically apply toward a bachelor’s degree, or workforce courses, which provide training for a particular profession.
High School Pathways provides many advantages for students getting ready to go to college. “Pathways students have experienced college-level work and interacted with college professors prior to high school graduation. That experience can make the transition to full-time college student much less stressful,” said Program Director of High School Pathways Londa Carriveau. “The Pathways students who attend classes on the MCC campus benefit even more since they have been exposed to a larger campus, taken classes with students of varying backgrounds and ages, and handled practical matters such as an ID card and parking permit. In addition, the college credit hours earned in high school can save students money and help them either to graduate college early or to carry a lighter course load each semester.”
First Generation Scholars
If you are the first person in your family to attend college, then you have the opportunity to become a First Generation Scholar at MCC. Twelve to fifteen students are chosen each year to receive a $5000 scholarship to go towards their education.
First Generation Scholars also are presented with many opportunities during their time at MCC. They are able to experience campus enrichment activities that are only available to First Generation Scholars, and they have the chance to make presentations on and off campus. First Generation Scholars also volunteer on campus and in the community. They build leadership skills by mentoring local high school students, and they usually take a trip outside of Waco at least once a year for cultural enrichment.
Summer Transition Enrichment Program (STEP) is a summer course only for students in the First Generation program. This gives students the chance to meet other scholars and learn information that helps with the high school to college transition such as study skills, time management, personal finance and other life skills.
If you know of a high school student looking to pursue higher education, please encourage them to look into steps they can take now to achieve that goal such as MCC’s High School Pathways or the First Generation Scholars Program. To learn more information about High School Pathways you can send an email to [email protected], or call 254-299-8937. For more information about First Generation Scholars email [email protected], or call 254-299-8597.
Madison Albee is a senior at Baylor University from Fort Worth, Texas. She is studying journalism/public relations with a concentration in marketing and is graduating this coming May. Currently Madison works for MCC as a public relations intern in the marketing and communications department. She is also the public relations assistant for Luca Magazine.
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