Over the course of the program, students explore their leadership strengths, learn leadership concepts, and identify their personal values, vision and mission while pursuing their academic goals. I want to create pathways for these students whose college is literally in their backyard.” I want to ensure that every student understands that there is a place for them and a reason for them being here. “I don’t want a student to land on our campus and not feel like they belong. ![]() Some have already begun to connect with our university’s leaders,” said Hill, who is supervising 14 students this year. “Many of these students are on the Mayor’s Youth Council. Hill, an Austin-East graduate and director of the program, who wanted to give high school juniors and seniors an opportunity to earn college credit while building on their existing leadership skills. Project Excellence-named by the first class of Austin-East students to participate-is an initiative in UT’s Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. Earning College Credit as Community Leaders The partnership with the writing center is one of many examples of UT’s commitment to expanding access to a college education to students at Austin-East and across Tennessee. The university’s undergraduate admissions office works with the school staff to educate and support students and families through the process of applying to UT and completing their financial aid application, confirmation and enrollment. UT has invested in a year-round presence at Austin-East through high school visits, college fairs and information sessions. Through his tutoring, Jackson learned about UT Promise and other scholarship opportunities and was able to complete his admission applications ahead of the December deadlines. “My college essay is about how I never gave up throughout the years when my mom passed away and how me pushing myself and not giving up has helped me become the best student I can be,” said Jackson. He is passionate about working with them because UT is his first choice of schools. Jackson works on scholarship applications during a recent visit with students and staff from the Herbert Writing Centerĭarius Jackson, a senior at Austin-East, learned about the tutors through the school’s Project GRAD advisor. Benson’s team has been able to connect with more than 200 students at Austin-East, Central and Fulton High Schools, where they rotate tutoring every week. ![]() This summer, the center was awarded a grant from the Engagement Scholarship Consortium, of which UT is a member institution, to lead a research project to learn more about Knoxville’s center-city schools and their culture in order to better serve the students. The initiative was initially funded in part by UT’s Division of Diversity and Engagement and Office of Community Engagement and Outreach. It’s also been an opportunity for professional development for me.” ![]() “As a graduate student, it helps me to be able to work as a team rather than independently. “If personal essay writing is happening the way it should be, you’re really getting to know somebody and you’re going to not just affirm their writing but who they are as a person,” said Sauskojus. The team saw a growth in confidence in Austin-East students and an opportunity to strengthen their impact. student and Community Engagement Academy fellow, and Anne Langendorfer, senior lecturer and community outreach fellow in the English department, were part of the team that began working with seniors in 2021, just a month before the December deadlines. Kelly Sauskojus, a fourth-year English Ph.D. ![]() Students are worried that what they have to put in the essay isn’t worthy,” said Kirsten Benson, director of the center. The essay itself represents a real roadblock. “A lot of students don’t complete their college applications because of their essays. Students and staff from UT’s Judith Anderson Herbert Writing Center are working individually with the seniors to discover their personal stories and champion their writing skills.Ī team of undergraduates, graduate students and English lecturers travel to the high school twice a week to offer tutoring appointments. A new partnership between the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and Knoxville’s Austin-East Magnet High School has seniors gaining confidence during the college application process by writing their personal essay.
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