Go Force The College for Texans Campaign

Mission To serve as encouragement and as a resource to high school students as they explore higher education option.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.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.

College for Texas: Closing the Gap Goals Texas higher education enrollment rates are down, particularly among low income and minority studentsTexas 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 573How 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 2015Close the educational gaps across Texas by adding 500,000 more students above the current college- going rates by 2015

Closing the Gaps Goals: The Texas higher education planThe 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

The Race Ahead High school years are crucial to future successHigh school years are crucial to future success HB 400 schools most in needHB 400 schools most in need 5 of 13 FWISD high schools are HB 400 schools5 of 13 FWISD high schools are HB 400 schools High schools in Fort Worth among lowest in the state in college-going ratesHigh 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 hurdlesMarketing is not enough, we must have programmatic components to address barriers and help students/families clear the hurdles

Hurdle 1: Preparing for College… In order to adequately prepare for college, a student must: Complete at least the Recommended High School ProgramComplete at least the Recommended High School Program Take Advanced/AP/Dual Credit coursesTake Advanced/AP/Dual Credit courses Take (and score well on) proper entry exams, including SAT and ACTTake (and score well on) proper entry exams, including SAT and ACT Students must also receive adequate counseling and opportunities for college preparationStudents must also receive adequate counseling and opportunities for college preparation

Hurdle 2: Getting into College… Application and admission process overwhelming for many students and their familiesApplication and admission process overwhelming for many students and their families New “language” to learn: tuition, fees, room & board, credit hour, etc.New “language” to learn: tuition, fees, room & board, credit hour, etc. Doesn’t seem affordable -Doesn’t seem affordable - scholarship information not readily available to all scholarship information not readily available to all many do not know about financial aid process or do not think they will qualify many do not know about financial aid process or do not think they will qualify

Hurdle 3: Completing College… Staying in college is more challenging than getting inStaying in college is more challenging than getting in Continued financial investment necessaryContinued financial investment necessary Remediation courses are often required, which delays graduation and makes it less likely that a student will graduateRemediation courses are often required, which delays graduation and makes it less likely that a student will graduate

G-Force Team What is a 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 educatorsCollege and Graduate students serve as mentors and peer educators Student team conducts outreach on HS campusStudent team conducts outreach on HS campus UNTHSC Students’ Role

Go Centers What is a Go Center?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 CampaignGo Centers are primary focus of the College for Texans Campaign UNT-HSC serves at two Go Centers at Dunbar and North Side High SchoolUNT-HSC serves at two Go Centers at Dunbar and North Side High School

What we do at the Go Centers: Just talk to the students and share our experienceJust talk to the students and share our experience Explore career and college optionsExplore career and college options Explore financial aid optionsExplore financial aid options Mentor students through hurdles they may think are impossible to overcomeMentor students through hurdles they may think are impossible to overcome

What to talk about: The Levels. Level A Level B Compare higher education options What do I study? Level C What is the right school for me? How do I pay for college? How do I apply to college? Level D What do I do after high school? Level E Careercruising.com Explore academic programs Discuss financial aid options Complete application checklist

Tools of the Go Center – Go Plan Level A Level B Level C Level D Level E website of the institution The websites correspond to the Go Center Checklist.

At North Side Go Center open on:Go Center open on: –M-Th 8:30am-12:10pm (Th 12:10-1pm) –M-F 3-5pm Wear your UNTHSC IDWear your UNTHSC ID Sign up in the front OfficeSign up in the front Office Walk up to the 3 rd floor to Rm.300Walk up to the 3 rd floor to Rm.300 Sign inSign in See studentsSee students

At Dunbar Go Center open on:Go Center open on: –M-F 8am-4pm Wear your UNTHSC IDWear your UNTHSC ID Sign up in the front OfficeSign up in the front Office Go to the Counseling centerGo to the Counseling center Sign inSign in See studentsSee students

Goals for the academic year ahead: Increase the number of mentors at the Go Centers at North Side High School and Dunbar High SchoolIncrease 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 CenterBuild 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 largeOrganize special events to reach out to students and the community at large

If mentoring at North Side, sign up for mentoring times with Marcus at mentoring at North Side, sign up for mentoring times with Marcus at If mentoring at Dunbar, sign up for mentoring times with Fifonsi at or Mary at mentoring at Dunbar, sign up for mentoring times with Fifonsi at or Mary at For more information on Gforce, special events, alternate volunteer opportunities at North Side and Dunbar High Schools, and mentoring schedule, please visit our website:For more information on Gforce, special events, alternate volunteer opportunities at North Side and Dunbar High Schools, and mentoring schedule, please visit our website: –

Contact Information Zeida Rojas, PresidentZeida Rojas, President Kissaou Tchendre (Bertin), Vice PresidentKissaou Tchendre (Bertin), Vice President