MCAC Promoting College Education

By Lilia Garcia Jimenez, Dos Mundos

Volume 30, Issue 07, February 28-24, 2010

Funded by the Jack Kent Foundation with a $1 million grant, the Missouri College Advising Corps (MCAC) is encouraging students to pursue a college education and get a degree in their desired field of study.

According to Missouri Department of Education statistics, 65.2 percent of Missouri high school graduates planned to attend college. The MCAC is trying to help them do so by advising high school students and guide them through the college application process.

“We really want to help high school students and let them know college is possible,” said Beth Tankersley- Bankhead, MCAC executive director.

Specific program objectives include helping students and their families to see college as a goal, increasing college enrollment and graduation among able students from low-income families and encouraging community college students to pursue four-year degrees. Other goals include assisting students and their families with college application and financial aid processes and creating a culture of college attendance in high schools.

To achieve its objectives, the MCAC is working with 13 college guides in 11 high schools, including Adam Higgins at Van Horn High School in Independence. The guides help students with applying for scholarships and for colleges, organize workshops for students and parents, organize college campus tours and support students in their dreams of getting a college education.

“I really want my students to get exposed to college,” Higgins said. “That is why I organize campus tours. Once they see them, they become excited.”

Higgins has guided students through college and scholarship application processes. He also has helped some undocumented students find colleges in other states, where they can pursue a college education.

“I just try to provide them with any help related to college application,” Higgins said.

For Higgins, his work with young people has given him the joy of seeing students obtain scholarships and pursue their college dreams.

According to Tankersley-Bankhead, the MCAC’s success rate is high. In comparing previous with current statistics, the results have shown that interest among students to pursue a college education has increased by 62.5 percent.

The program places guides according with data of all schools including size, demographic factors, and geographical location. The MCAC program is currently operating in Grandview high school, Van Horn high school, Paseo Academy of Arts, Northeast Law & Public Service Magnet, and Metropolitan Community College in Penn Valley.

“My door is always open and I’m ready to help the students in whatever they need,” Higgings said.