Студенты из разных штатов США приняли участие в летней программе подготовки к колледжу в Чейни

Cheyney University President Aaron Walton poses with four rising seniors participating in the Thurgood Marshall College Fund SOAR program. —PHOTOS COURTESY OF CHEYNEY UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT OFFICE/JUSTIN MOSLEY Cheyney University Antoine R. West II stands with a student participating in the Thurgood Marshall College Fund SOAR program. —PHOTO COURTESY OF CHEYNEY UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT OFFICE/JUSTIN MOSLEY Cheyney University President Aaron Walton poses with four rising seniors participating in the Thurgood Marshall College Fund SOAR program. —PHOTOS COURTESY OF CHEYNEY UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT OFFICE/JUSTIN MOSLEY Four students participate in activities during the first day of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund’s SOAR program on Sunday. —PHOTO COURTESY OF CHEYNEY UNIVERSITY/KIRAMORE STUDIOS Students listen to a speaker during a classroom session. —PHOTO COURTESY OF CHEYNEY UNIVERSITY/KIRAMORE STUDIOS Students work on computers during a classroom activity. —PHOTO COURTESY OF CHEYNEY UNIVERSITY/KIRAMORE STUDIOS Cheyney University and Thurgood Marshall College Fund staff pose during the SOAR program. —PHOTO COURTESY OF CHEYNEY UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT OFFICE/JUSTIN MOSLEY Cheyney University Antoine R. West II stands with a student participating in the Thurgood Marshall College Fund SOAR program. —PHOTO COURTESY OF CHEYNEY UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT OFFICE/JUSTIN MOSLEY Nearly 112 rising high school seniors from 13 states arrived on Cheyney University’s campus this week for the Thurgood Marshall College Fund’s SOAR program, a week residential initiative focused on college readiness through leadership development and academic enrichment. SOAR (Seeking, Observing and Achieving Results) is a Thurgood Marshall College Fund program that introduces high school students to the HBCU experience while preparing them for the college admissions process. Ashley Odom, senior director of programs at the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, said SOAR is designed to introduce students to the organization, help them identify their strengths and prepare them for life after high school. “The program begins with a residential boot camp experience where they have access to Gallup Strengths coaching, financial aid and housing sessions,” she said. “We want them to start thinking about life after graduation, whether that’s a community college, a four-year institution, an HBCU or a PWI,” Odom added. “We want them to have that exposure to what could be, starting with the boot camp and continuing through their senior year with ongoing engagement.” The program marks the first time the nation’s oldest historically Black university has served as a SOAR host, one of 16 campuses selected nationwide this summer. Officials say that number will grow to 20 campuses next year. The cohort includes students from 68 public, private, charter and cyber schools, led by the Mastery Charter Network. Students have an average 3.67 grade point average and plan to pursue majors including biology, nursing, psychology, business, computer science, construction and filmmaking. Of the 112 students, 105 have applied to Cheyney and 76 have been accepted, with officials expecting to award about $4.5 million in scholarships. “We’re working to get the rest of those students accepted,” said Janelle L. West, dean of Cheyney’s Honors Academy. “More than 250 students applied to Cheyney alone and more than 2,500 applied across all SOAR programs this summer. We have scholars from Chicago, Florida, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Delaware, Virginia and Washington, D.C.” Throughout the week, students will tour the National Museum of African American History and Culture, attend the HBCU Swingman Classic, sit in on mock college classes, visit corporate partners to explore entrepreneurship, and take part in leadership and professional development workshops. Students will also hear a keynote address from Rap Snacks founder and Cheyney alumnus James Lindsay, with closing remarks from Thurgood Marshall College Fund founder N. Joyce Payne. “Students will visit Shoot 360, take mock biology and hospitality classes with a cooking demonstration at The Cheyney’s Grille, and attend workshops on branding, communication and college admissions,” West said. “The program has numerous sponsors we are extremely grateful for, and none of this could have been made possible without TMCF and Cheyney’s Honors team, which includes Natasha Brame, Vernell Edwards and Krystal Peters,” she said. A key part of the residential experience is the Gallup CliftonStrengths assessment, followed by personalized coaching based on the results. “They took a Gallup Strengths assessment led by our program manager, Adrianne Myers,” Odom said. “I had a session called ‘All Things TMCF’ to get to know the students and introduce who we are and what we offer at TMCF. “They will also participate in a Gallup Strengths coaching session where they will learn more about their strengths and how to apply them in school and after graduation.” Odom added that on Saturday, the organization will meet with students and families to discuss next steps after the residential program ends. “The program doesn’t end with the boot camp,” she said. “We then shift to virtual engagement throughout their senior year so students can continue to engage with us after they leave.” For Tamika Evans, CEO of Global Leadership Academy Southwest and parent of a student in the program, the experience left a lasting impression on her family. “Every email, every meeting, every detail leading up to today reflected intentionality,” Evans wrote in a social media post. “We’ve had the privilege of experiencing several HBCU summer programs over the years, and I can honestly say this was the most impressive opening we’ve experienced as a family.” “Excellence doesn’t happen by accident. It is cultivated, and it was evident in every aspect of today’s program. We’re excited to see what this week holds,” she said. Stay informed and connected — subscribe to The Philadelphia Tribune NOW! Click Here Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated. Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything. Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person. Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.