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Greetings,
Helping students understand the educational opportunities available to them is something that's deeply important to me. That's why it's so encouraging to be involved in partnerships that help students realize the opportunities knocking on their doors. For instance, I participated in the Minnesota Association of Financial Aid Administrators (MAFAA) Early Awareness Committee's recent event where more than 100 eighth-grade students were invited to St. Paul College for a day of tours and access activities. Putting students, especially nontraditional ones, in an environment where they can visualize a future while learning a little about what it's like to be in college can be invaluable
I was also recently involved with the Reality Store, a program held by the Midwest Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (MASFAA).We gave students sample careers and a mock checkbook with an expected monthly income. Armed with information, they visited booths, each one representing a financial choice they'd have to make in the future. Would they buy a car or use public transportation? How much would they spend on food each month? Students learned about what it takes to support various standards of living and also saw how the decisions they make about higher education can affect their choice of careers in the future.
It's through partnerships and events such as these that we can truly make an impact on young people's lives. And working together on these types of activities can help us personally see our place in the larger community of which we're a part.
In this spirit of teamwork, I'd like to invite you to share with me any outreach activities that you're involved with or that you'd like to be a part of. I'd love to help you organize or partner with you to bring these kinds of outreach activities to life for students. So give me a call or email me at outreachandaccess@glhec.org. I look forward to hearing from you and working with you to help our students reach their fullest potential!
Until next time, have a great month!
La Toya Sykes, Director
Outreach and Access Awareness
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