15th Annual Gainesville College Summer Scholars Institute begins Tuesday

GAINESVILLE - Summer usually brings thoughts of lazy days, no school work and no responsibility for many middle school students, but not the 160 or so that will be participating in the Gainesville College Summer Scholars Institute (SSI).

The program will begin its 15th year Tuesday and will again offer a "rewarding and eventful summer as they improve their academic skills, learn from positive role models and decrease their chances of dropping out of school," according to college officials.

While the students who participate in the SSI do not pay, the cost per student is approximately $500 and covers teaching supplies, student supplies, two meals per day for 20 days, transportation to and from the College, educational field trips, teacher and staff salaries, and uniforms and books.

In years past, funding for the SSI was provided by the University System of Georgia but deep budget cuts have made it necessary for Gainesville College to reach out to the community to continue this program which has been proven by pre- and post-tests to increase student academic achievement in math and language arts.

Private donors have stepped forward to ensure that this program can continue to serve students from low income families, under represented minorities, ESL (English as a Second Language) students and other at risk middle and high school students in the Gainesville/Hall County area.

"It is not an understatement to say that without the support of these generous individuals and business, this program would not be able to serve the students who need us the most," said college president Martha Nesbitt.

Dr. Nesbitt says the month-long program is designed to make postsecondary education accessible to a population group that has traditionally been under-represented in higher education. Throughout the year students who participate in this program are invited with their parents to the GC campus to attend special cultural events and educational activities.

This will be the second summer that Theresa Dove-Waters, GC Assistant Professor of Religion and Education, has served as director of the SSI.

"Most of our first and second year students will return to participate in the program this year, and in addition, we have invited 80 first year students to participate. We have added a number of academic activities that will enhance the program. For example, in addition to the five academic courses that students are involved in, we have added a computer course."

"The Summer Scholars Institute, an early intervention program, is a three-year program for rising 8th, 9th and 10th graders," Dove-Waters added. "Students attend three summers, and outstanding graduates of the program are invited back the fourth year as peer counselors. The college's commitment to those students who complete the program and who graduate from high school is to help them gain entrance to a postsecondary institution and, if needed, assist them in identifying financial aid resources."

The program draws primarily from Hall County's large local Hispanic/Latino, African-American, and Anglo populations, and from the smaller Asian community. Approximately forty, third-year students attending this year will graduate from the program at the end of July.