Inaugural Camp College
With the support of a NACAC Imagine Grant, IACAC hosted its first ever Camp College this summer. Culled from a group of 76 applicants, 33 students made the early morning train or car ride to Bradley University in Peoria on July 12, 2010. For many of the students, this was their first overnight visit to a college campus. The attendees represented 20 high schools or community organizations throughout the Chicago area and suburbs.
Students participated in workshops on a variety of topics. Considerable emphasis was placed on finding the “best fit” college or university, writing essays, and financial aid education. In addition to receiving the gift of a flash drive on which to keep a draft of their essay and other information, students received considerable literature and memorabilia thanks to the generosity of several IACAC member institutions. Those contributors included: Augustana College, Benedictine University, Bradley University, College of Lake County, Columbia College, DePaul University, Illinois Institute of Technology, Knowhow2goIllinois.org, Lawrence University, Lincoln Christian College, Northwestern University, Roosevelt University, Seton Hall University, St. Louis University, SIU Edwardsville, Ursuline University, and Xavier University.
A highlight of the camp included one-on-one conversations that students held with a cadre of IACAC members who traveled to Peoria for the afternoon. Those volunteers included:
| Alyssa Kotzian, DePaul University Anabel Duarte, Ashford University Angie Cooksy, Bradley University Benita Wynn, Grand Canyon University Debbie Todd, St. Xavier University Jenn Paar, University of Denver Jerry Pope, Niles Twp. HS District 219 Jessica Viola, Bradley University Jim Franko, Riverside-Brookfield HS |
Krista Nelson, ISAC Corps Latrina Leonard, St. Xavier University Marsha Hubbuch, RBHS Megan O’Rourke, Butler University Michael Melinder, McKendree University Quinton Clay, Grinnell College Renee Daye-Cross, Chicago Youth Centers Sarah Whittemore, DePaul University |
The dedication and generosity of these individuals added significantly to the success of the experience for these students. Overall feedback was extremely favorable, with many of them expressing a desire that Camp College be repeated and extended, “because I have a younger brother who could really use this program.” To that end, work has begun on Camp College 2011, which we hope to expand in length, scope, and greater statewide representation.
Sharon Williams
Elgin Academy