GSC Summer Scholars Institute underway

OAKWOOD - The 18th edition of the Summer Scholars Institute (SSI) is underway at Gainesville State College.

On June 23, approximately 120 area middle school students became Summer Scholars, with a goal of improving their academic skills, learning from positive role models and improving their chances of attending college.

The Summer Scholars Institute, an early intervention and academic enrichment program, is a three-year cohort program for students in grades 8-10. Students attend three summers, and receive high school credit when they graduate from the program.

While the students who participate in the SSI do not pay, the cost per student is approximately $850 and covers teaching supplies, student supplies, two meals per day for 21 days, transportation to and from the college, educational field trips, teacher and staff salaries, uniforms and books.

The Gainesville State College Foundation leads the fund raising efforts for the SSI and reaches out to the community to continue this program, which organizers say has been proven by pre- and post-tests to increase student academic achievement in math, language arts, history and science.

Private donors help ensure that SSI 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.

Gainesville State College President Martha T. Nesbitt, who is one of the program's strongest advocates, said, "We are so pleased to continue offering the Summer Scholars Institute to the young people in our area. I am very grateful that the community has again shown its support for this exemplary program and generously contributed to help cover the costs. Summer Scholars not only benefits the students participating, but it also has the long-term effect of raising the educational level in our region.

During the month-long program, the students arrive at the GSC Oakwood campus about 8 a.m., have breakfast and then begin a full day of studies concentrating on history, science, career exploration mathematics and language arts (reading and writing).

The program is designed to make postsecondary education accessible to a population group that has traditionally been under-represented in higher education.

This will be the fifth and final summer that Theresa Dove-Waters, GSC Associate Professor of Religion and Education, has served as director of the SSI.

The program draws primarily from Hall County, Habersham, Barrow and Gainesville City African-American, Anglo and Hispanic/Latino populations and from the smaller Asian community. Approximately 30 students attending this year will graduate from the program at the end of July.

Professional staff includes three language arts teachers, three math teachers, an ESL teacher, a history teacher, a science teacher, a physical education teacher (all from the Hall County and Gainesville City school systems), a Lead-Teacher and several current and former GSC students who are serving as tutors and mentors.

It's not all work and no play, though.

Trips to Six Flags Over Georgia and the Georgia Aquarium are planned, as well as a Job Shadow Day organized by Junior Achievement.

The 2008 Summer Scholars Institute will conclude with a ceremony for the graduating students on July 23, 2008.

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