51³Ô¹Ï

Seventeen college-bound students in the tenth grade from DC Public Schools’ Frank W. Ballou High School (Ballou) visited 51³Ô¹Ï. Sponsored by the School of Education, the students and two teachers met with admissions representatives, toured campus, enjoyed a meal in the dining hall, and learned about SOE's Dual Enrollment program offering free college courses for DC Public Schools students, and theÌýTeacher Pipeline Project.

The visit began at the Katzen Visitor Center, met by SOE’s Dr. Toks Fashola, and Bonnie Berry. Dr. Fashola welcomed the visitors, conducted a mini-orientation to 51³Ô¹Ï, and engaged in an initial question and answer session. Mr. Kevin Mondragon led the orientation session at the visitor’s center, and the students gotÌýsome 51³Ô¹Ï swag. After attending the formal information session, Interim Dean Dr. Rodney Hopson met the students, welcomed them, and challenged the students to envision themselves as 51³Ô¹Ï students as they moved through campus. He shared how 51³Ô¹Ï had personally influenced him and his family.

The School of Education (SOE) and Ballou have long been partners as part of 51³Ô¹Ï + Ballou, which shepherds Ballou students through their time at 51³Ô¹Ï. They are also partners through theÌýTeacher Pipeline ProjectÌýwhereÌýstudents are dually enrolled in college during their senior year of high school in theÌý51³Ô¹Ï Dual Enrollment Program. Today's visit was a great opportunity for tenth graders to get early exposure to the potential of attending 51³Ô¹Ï in their senior year as Dual Enrollees.

Two specially selected 51³Ô¹Ï undergraduate seniors led a tour of the main campus, where they explored the School of International Studies, dormitories in Letts Hall, the Mary Graydon Center, through the Quad to Bender Arena, and then to lunch in the newly renovated Terrace Dining Room.

While walking across the Quad, not only were the students surprised to meet and shake hands with 51³Ô¹Ï President John Alger, and they enjoyed having selfies taken with 51³Ô¹Ï's mascot Clawed! Ajah Hawkins, an 51³Ô¹Ï sophomore andÌýaÌýDual Enrollment alum spoke to the students about herÌýexperiences.

At the Terrace Dining Room, students experienced a true college meal in the dining hall and they met two current basketball players who engaged with Ballou students and answered questions about life as a student athlete in college.

After lunch, the tenth graders learned about three of the ways they could engage with the School of Education:

1. The Child Development Associate program: Those with an interestÌýin early childhood education may enroll in this program which, coupled with training in a childhood educational setting, results in the most widely recognized credential in early childhood education.
2. 51³Ô¹Ï Dual Enrollment program: Ballou (along with other DC Public Schools) students are eligible in their eleventh year to apply to take two free college courses at 51³Ô¹Ï. ÌýTuition, books, and participation are free, and we provide transportation to students when needed.
3. Undergraduate 51³Ô¹Ï Teaching Fellows: This program offers select DC students full scholarships; assistance preparing for the PraxiÌýexam; a guaranteed job in a DCÌýschool with mentoring for their first five years if they commit to teaching in DC schools uponÌýcompletion of their education degree.

The students engaged with many questions, and SOE will continue to engage with them.