Go Force The College for Texans Campaign

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Go ForceThe College for Texans Campaign
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Mission

• To serve as encouragement and as a resource to
  high school students as they explore higher
  education option.
• To create and sustain a college-going culture in
  Texas that prepares all students for the academic
  rigor and discipline needed to enter and thrive
  in college.

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College for Texas Closing the Gap Goals

• Texas higher education enrollment rates are down,
  particularly among low income and minority
  students
• How Go Force came to be In 2001 Texas
  Legislature mandated the creation of a statewide
  public awareness campaign through SB 573
• Close the educational gaps across Texas by adding
  500,000 more students above the current
  college-going rates by 2015

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Closing the Gaps Goals

• The Texas higher education plan
• By 2015, increase by 50 the number of degrees,
  certificates and other identifiable student
  successes from high quality programs
• By 2015, increase the number of nationally
  recognized programs or services at colleges and
  universities in Texas
• By 2015, increase the level of federal science
  and engineering research funding to Texas
  institutions by 50 to 1.3 billion

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The Race Ahead

• High school years are crucial to future success
• HB 400 schools most in need
• 5 of 13 FWISD high schools are HB 400 schools
• High schools in Fort Worth among lowest in the
  state in college-going rates
• Marketing is not enough, we must have
  programmatic components to address barriers and
  help students/families clear the hurdles

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Hurdle 1Preparing for College

• In order to adequately prepare for college, a
  student must
• Complete at least the Recommended High School
  Program
• Take Advanced/AP/Dual Credit courses
• Take (and score well on) proper entry exams,
  including SAT and ACT
• Students must also receive adequate counseling
  and opportunities for college preparation

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Hurdle 2Getting into College

• Application and admission process overwhelming
  for many students and their families
• New language to learn tuition, fees, room
  board, credit hour, etc.
• Doesnt seem affordable -
• scholarship information not readily available
  to all
• many do not know about financial aid process
  or do not think they will qualify

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Hurdle 3Completing College

• Staying in college is more challenging than
  getting in
• Continued financial investment necessary
• Remediation courses are often required, which
  delays graduation and makes it less likely that a
  student will graduate

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G-Force Team

• What is a G-Force Team?
• A G-force team is a network of students,
  concerned citizens, and organizations committed
  to supporting Go Center efforts
• College and Graduate students serve as mentors
  and peer educators
• Student team conducts outreach on HS campus

UNTHSC Students Role
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Go Centers

• What is a Go Center?
• A Go Center is a physical space within each high
  school that provides students with information
  related to career exploration, higher education,
  and financial aid. The Go Center also serves as
  a hub around which a number of college
  preparation-related programs connect in each
  school.
• Go Centers are primary focus of the College for
  Texans Campaign
• UNT-HSC serves at two Go Centers at Dunbar and
  North Side High School

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What we do at the Go Centers

• Just talk to the students and share our
  experience
• Explore career and college options
• Explore financial aid options
• Mentor students through hurdles they may think
  are impossible to overcome

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What to talk about The Levels
Compare higher education options
What do I do after high school?
Level A
What do I study?
Careercruising.com
Level B
What is the right school for me?
Explore academic programs
Level C
How do I pay for college?
Discuss financial aid options
Level D
How do I apply to college?
Complete application checklist
Level E
.
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Tools of the Go Center Go Plan
The websites correspond to the Go Center
Checklist.
Level A www.collegefortexans.com www.gocenter.info
Level B www.careercruising.com www.princetonreview.com
Level C www.collegeboard.com www.fastweb.com
Level D www.collegeboard.com www.fafsa.ed.gov www.fastweb.com www.collegeboard.com www.applytexas.org
Level E www.applytexas.org website of the institution

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At North Side

• Go Center open on
• M-Th 830am-1210pm (Th 1210-1pm)
• M-F 3-5pm
• Wear your UNTHSC ID
• Sign up in the front Office
• Walk up to the 3rd floor to Rm.300
• Sign in
• See students

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At Dunbar

• Go Center open on
• M-F 8am-4pm
• Wear your UNTHSC ID
• Sign up in the front Office
• Go to the Counseling center
• Sign in
• See students

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Goals for the academic year ahead

• Increase the number of mentors at the Go Centers
  at North Side High School and Dunbar High School
• Build partnerships between Go Force and other
  campus organizations as well as with other higher
  education institutions to support the high school
  Go Center
• Organize special events to reach out to students
  and the community at large

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• If mentoring at North Side, sign up for mentoring
  times with Marcus at mmitias_at_hsc.unt.edu
• If mentoring at Dunbar, sign up for mentoring
  times with Fifonsi at fgbeasor_at_hsc.unt.edu or
  Mary at mmahon_at_hsc.unt.edu
• For more information on Gforce, special events,
  alternate volunteer opportunities at North Side
  and Dunbar High Schools, and mentoring schedule,
  please visit our website
• www.hsc.unt.edu/education/gocenter

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Contact Information

• Zeida Rojas, President
• zrojas_at_hsc.unt.edu
• Kissaou Tchendre (Bertin), Vice President
• ktchendre_at_hsc.unt.edu