FROM THE DIRECTOR
Even with all the challenges of 2020, this is still an exciting time for the Rising Scholars on the Ashtabula Campus. This semester we welcomed our second class of scholars from the Ashtabula Area City School district and now have a total of 12 Lakeside Junior High students.
Our first academic year wrapped up under unique circumstances, but both scholars and mentors continued to meet and communicate regularly following the closing of schools and campus in the spring. Despite these circumstances, both mentors and scholars displayed great commitment to the program and remained actively involved. Once regularly scheduled in-person individual sessions were no longer available, mentors met with scholars virtually and over the phone through the end of the school year. In addition, throughout the spring and summer, I delivered to each scholar’s home weekly or bi-weekly care packets with personal notes, inspirational stories, craft ideas, materials and activities.
Over the summer, I had a great opportunity to work with directors from the Columbiana and Tuscarawas campuses to provide a virtual NASA experience for the scholars (more on that on Page 2). It was a wonderful experience to meet and work with Rising Scholars from other campuses.
Currently, I am appreciative of the advice given by the IT staffs at both KSUA and AACS to guide me in selecting and implementing our virtual learning platforms for the program. Our top priority during these challenging times is accessibility for the scholars and we are able to connect with them through their AACS Chromebooks, the same platform they use for school.
The Ashtabula Rising Scholars program hasn’t missed a beat and is moving forward at a fast pace, fueled by the energy of our scholars and the flexibility of our mentors. Thank you for your continued support and I can’t wait to share more with you in the months ahead.
Peace,
Natalie Huya
Program Director, Rising Scholars
2019-2020 HIGHLIGHTS
NASA’s BEST
During the week of July 27-31, Rising Scholars from Ashtabula, Columbiana and Tuscarawas participated virtually in the NASA BEST (Beginning Engineering Science & Technology) Student Camp. Each student received a package of camp materials and worked collaboratively with the NASA guide, program director and scholars from the other campuses to each develop their own LUNAR ROVER. The program explored STEM principles and challenged the scholars to think creatively as engineers.
BOOK CLUB
Scholars had the opportunity to read six books throughout the year in preparation for the annual Kent State Ashtabula English Festival, which includes seventh and eighth grade students from every school district in Ashtabula County. Despite the Festival being canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, students were still introduced to new, interesting and challenging works like Refugee by Alan Gratz, Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo and Ibi Zoboi’s Pride.
WELLNESS DAY
Put on by Ashtabula faculty, staff & community members, Scholars spent the entire day on campus engaged in wellness activities focused on mental health awareness, nutrition, exercise, stress management, self-esteem and self-care. Scholars enjoyed the fun-filled educational day, especially the yoga class and manicures!
PROGRAM OUTCOMES
All programming is designed to meet five stated program outcomes. The are for each Rising Scholar to be:
- A Successful Student
- An Engaged Learner
- Socially Savvy
- Workforce Ready
- Committed to the Community
Support Rising Scholars
The Rising Scholars program works to help Ashtabula area students, beginning in the seventh grade, find a path toward higher education and careers. The Rising Scholars are mentored by college students from Kent State Ashtabula and participate in year-round workshops that expose them to mentors, community leaders, businesses, organizations and educators who want them to succeed.
Regional students face many barriers, including generational poverty, lack of role models, and insufficient academic preparation. This is clearly evident at the Kent State regional campuses, where 81 percent of students receive financial aid, much of it Pell Grants, and the majority of students require remediation.