Back-to-school season is usually a busy travelling time for The SEED Foundation’s College Transition and Success (CTS) team. Our advisors are visiting every recent high school graduate at their college campuses, hosting a College Prep Boot Camp at a local university for all SEED seniors as they prepare for high school graduation, and making certain our older graduates are navigating any obstacles that could hinder their goals of college completion.
This year, our work looks a bit different and our graduates are adjusting to a variety of learning formats—from a full remote schedule, to in-person and on campus, or to a hybrid mixture of the two.
Though our advisors cannot meet with graduates in person, the CTS team is still providing the same high-quality intrusive advising supports. For example, instead of walking next to our graduates on campus during a college outreach visit, we are developing creative ways to create a similar experience—like virtual walking calls or remotely joining our graduates while they attend meetings or take classes. Our College Prep Boot Camp was held remotely this month and hosted all high school seniors from SEED Maryland, SEED DC, and SEED Miami. Topics discussed included an interactive review of the college application process, college matching, essay writing, and financial aid. And for our older graduates, we remain focused on ensuring that not only do they have the tools and resources to successfully shift to a remote learning platform, but that they are also physically safe, emotionally healthy, and aren’t facing dire financial circumstances due to the pandemic.
Through our increased phone calls, personal video advising sessions, and surveys, we have discovered the economic burden that many of our graduates now confronted. “More than 60 percent of our graduates enrolled in college are experiencing financial strain. We are there to help them problem solve, evaluate their options, and to offer resources,” shared Joi Baker Jones, director of college transition and success at The SEED Foundation.
As the impacts of the pandemic continue to unfold, our advisors are gauging any new obstacles our graduates face, and through our proactive approach, we can effectively help our students find their way. Learn more about our College Transition and Success programming and how you can get involved.