Throughout April, the college access team embarked on a series of visits to some of College Possible Omaha’s partner institutions including Wayne State College and Nebraska Wesleyan University. These trips aimed to provide the team with an in-depth understanding of the campuses, enabling them to better inform and guide students about available opportunities. Let’s explore the campus life and academic offerings at two College Possible partner universities through the eyes of AmeriCorps coaches.
College Possible AmeriCorps members visit Nebraska Wesleyan University
On April 11, the team arrived at Nebraska Wesleyan University, joined by college success coach, Angel, who has students on Wesleyan’s campus. The team was greeted by a remarkable student ambassador, Aniyah, who gave the group a comprehensive campus tour. The team explored various buildings, dormitories, and student support offices, gaining insight into the diverse resources available to students. The tour concluded with a lunch, where the college access team had the opportunity to engage with Nebraska Wesleyan students and professors to discuss campus life and address any questions they had.
During an insightful discussion, the team and Wesleyan representatives recapped their successful partnership over the past year. “We greatly value the support of our higher education partners, and this occasion presented a wonderful opportunity for us to express our sincere gratitude,” expressed Aminatu Issaka, the director of college access at College Possible Omaha.
The college access team has been particularly impressed with Wesleyan’s free tuition to Pell-eligible students, and expressed their gratitude for this program and the many College Possible Omaha students this affects. The team was also impressed by the wide range of student organizations, including Wesleyan’s commitment to helping students create new organizations if their interests were not already represented.
Wayne State College offers a behind-the-scenes look at campus life
Later, on April 27, the college access team arrived at Wayne State College, where they were welcomed at the Hahn Administration Building. Here, they found themselves in a vibrant space, setting an energetic tone for the visit. Wayne State College President, Dr. Marysz Rames, and members of the college admissions team provided a warm introduction, enlightening the access team about the array of opportunities Wayne State offers its students.
To showcase the campus’s diverse facilities, two student ambassadors guided separate tours. The college access team had the chance to explore dorm rooms, classrooms, STEM buildings, the library, and business buildings, immersing themselves in the robust academic environment. After the tours, both groups reconvened for a lunch held in the press box of the football stadium, joined by the university president, who further emphasized the institution’s commitment to student success.
Throughout the visit, the access team learned about the extensive student support services available at Wayne State, including a multicultural center and numerous career opportunities. As a token of appreciation, the college access team received goodie bags, a kind gesture that showcased the university’s warm hospitality.
The April visits to Nebraska Wesleyan University and Wayne State College proved to be invaluable experiences for the college access team. Armed with a deeper understanding of these partner institutions, they are now better equipped to inform and guide students, ensuring they make informed decisions about their future educational endeavors.
“Our coaches getting to visit these campuses is great because it helps them educate students about their options, and they had a blast,” Issaka commented. The college access team looks forward to continuing their visits to other partner institutions in the upcoming academic year, further deepening their understanding of the diverse campuses and enriching the support they offer to students.
