KPS sixth-graders get look at college life at WMUMarch 11, 2010 KALAMAZOO--More than 900 Kalamazoo Public School sixth-grade students will descend on the campus of Western Michigan University in March and April to get a first-hand look at college life and the opportunities available through a college education. The goal of the new WMU/KPS partnership, called Bronco BUDS--Building Unique Dynamic Students--is to encourage early middle school students to set their sights on college and take advantage of the Kalamazoo Promise tuition scholarship program. All of the district's 954 sixth-graders will be transported to WMU for a day to engage in hands-on activities related to choosing a college career and taken on a University tour, including a visit to a classroom and residence hall. They also will eat lunch at a campus dining hall. KPS students will be guided through their college experience by WMU students and staff. Many of the college-student guides are Kalamazoo Promise scholarship recipients themselves. "Not only do Kalamazoo's young people have the gift of the Kalamazoo Promise, they also have the advantage of living in a community that is home to a major public research university," says WMU President John M. Dunn. "We're working with our community partners to ensure KPS students become familiar with the opportunities a college education can provide and are comfortable with the idea of being on a campus and accessing the resources that will make them successful. We're looking forward to seeing these sixth-graders on campus many times in the future." Bronco BUDS is set to be an annual program for KPS sixth-graders and one that is reinforced with programs each year, beginning with the Class of 2016 and continuing as these students move toward high school graduation. Visit schedule
For more information, contact Monteze Morales, graduate assistant and coordinator of college visitation activities for the WMU Office of Diversity and Inclusion at monteze.o.morales@wmich.edu or (269) 387-6325. Media contact: Deanne Puca, (269) 387-8400, deanne.puca@wmich.edu WMU News |
