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Different types of college cultures🙂 College isn't just about academics; it's about immersing yourself in a unique cultural experience. These cultures vary greatly, shaping your social life and overall development. Large public universities often foster a vibrant, diverse atmosphere. With countless student organizations and a bustling social scene, these schools offer a chance to explore various interests and make friends from all walks of life. The energy can be electric, with school spirit on full display at sporting events and campus-wide traditions. Liberal arts colleges, on the other hand, cultivate a close-knit atmosphere. Smaller class sizes and faculty accessibility create a more intimate learning environment. Here, intellectual curiosity takes center stage, with lively discussions and a focus on well-rounded development. Tech-focused institutions boast a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. Collaborative projects and hackathons encourage students to turn ideas into reality. This environment fosters a drive for excellence and prepares graduates for the fast-paced tech world. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) provide a supportive and empowering environment for students of color. They celebrate African American culture and history, fostering a strong sense of community. HBCUs offer academic excellence and create a space where students can thrive without facing racial barriers. Choosing a college goes beyond academics. Understanding the cultural landscape will help you find a place where you can flourish, make lifelong connections, and discover your true potential.

A Dream Deferred: This year, while taking my 10th-grade batch through their final preparations, I, like every year, posed the question: "What do you all want to be when you grow up?" A flurry of aspirations filled the room - doctors, engineers, entrepreneurs. Each student, brimming with dreams, shared their future plans. However, one response left a heavy silence in its wake. It was from a student consistently at the top of the class, let's call her Aanya. To my utter surprise, she simply said, "No, I won't be studying further." Confused, I probed further. Aanya, the brightest student, wasn't going to college? Unveiling the reason behind her resignation, she confided that her parents wouldn't allow her to pursue higher education simply because she was a girl.According to them, spending on girl's education is waste of time and resources moreover they think that every girl who goes to college has an affair. So it's better that Anya should stay at home and learn household chores. This stark contrast - Aanya, with immense potential, forced to abandon her dreams, and her classmates, some of whom barely scraped through, confidently charting their academic paths - was a harsh reality check. It highlighted the immense privilege attached to education, especially for girls. Aanya's story serves as a constant reminder of the importance of advocating for equal access to education. It's a call to action for all of us – educators, parents, and changemakers – to create a world where dreams aren't confined by gender, but nurtured with opportunity.

Underrepresented majority Black students who entered 150 Albany Avenue, Brooklyn, New York in September 2011, from NYC Department of Education showed that 2-year CTE/STEM degrees from The City University of New York City Tech, CUNY could be earned with no academic screening and no tests for admissions. Many degree earners were hired by industry partner IBM September 2011 and May 6, 2024 The The New York Times Lost in the School Choice Maze May 6, 2011 https://lnkd.in/dg8PrqR New Lists of School Choices At the supplemental-round fair, Radcliffe and his parents met Rashid Davis, the dynamic 40-year-old principal at P-Tech — Pathways in Technology — a new school in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, backed by a $500,000 commitment from I.B.M. and an agreement with City College to offer an associate’s degree at the end of six years. New York Daily News 2 for the price of 1! P-TECH offering associate's degree in 6-year program https://lnkd.in/eqzsB-VB MDRC P-TECH 9-14 Evaluation New findings in this report indicate that the P-TECH model increased students' postsecondary degree completion, particularly for male students, and boosted internship and dual enrollment rates, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. https://lnkd.in/gzAi4xV6 "Male students who had the chance to attend P-TECH 9-14 schools were more likely to attain college degrees than male students assigned to other kinds of school" #WeArePTECH #skillsbuild #skillsfirst #skills2030 www.ptech.org

How Early College Friendships Built My Confidence 🏫 In school, I was a bright student, and teacher's pet. I enjoyed a supportive circle of friends who valued my contributions. This foundation made me confident. When I stepped into college, I was expecting a similar experience.  However, the first month in college was a reality check. Suddenly, I was one among hundreds of equally accomplished peers. Everyone had been a teacher's pet and had their own impressive friend circles. It felt like I was back at square one, needing to rebuild my reputation from scratch. This transition can be super intimidating. After twelve years of hard work and establishing your place in school, starting over can feel overwhelming. But it's also an essential growth phase. With the right guidance from college faculty, support from parents, and new friendships, navigating this period becomes more manageable. I fondly recall the first four friends I met in the college cafeteria. We clicked instantly and have been inseparable since then. These early friendships provided the confidence boost I needed to settle into college life and start this new chapter on a positive note. To all the students facing similar challenges, remember that while the journey might be tough, you're not alone. You'll find the right people and support system, and soon, this new environment will feel like home. I'd love to hear about your experiences with making your first friends in college.  Share your stories in the comments! 💬 #CollegeJourney #NewBeginnings #StudentLife #BuildingConfidence #MakingFriends

Happy Birthday Radcliffe Saddler #weareptech #skillsbuild #skillsfirst #skills2030 #ptech Pathways in Technology Early College High School The City University of New York City Tech, CUNY Baruch College IBM The New York Times Lost in the School Choice Maze Radcliffe Saddler, an eighth grader who is an honors student from Brooklyn, did not get into any of the high schools he initially picked. “I feel like I did something wrong,” he said. https://lnkd.in/dQjrVRU The Day I Introduced Barack Obama WNYC Radio One thing I have learned from this school is that hard work pays off. My name is Radcliffe Saddler. I am 16 years old, born in Kingston Jamaica, the oldest of three. Getting the opportunity to meet and introduce President Barack Obama was one of the greatest experiences I’ve had at school. And it happened in a way that reminded me what makes P-Tech special: many people at school helped me prepare and gave me the strength to give the biggest speech of my life. https://lnkd.in/eQ_2zH4r Rachel Rosen, MDRC "We believe that CTE leaders will be really interested in the positive impact that we're seeing for students who are participating in P-TECH. P-TECH 9-14 students signed up for dual enrollment programs at higher rates, attempting and earning more college credits than the comparison group students by the end of four years in high school". MDRC October 2023 P-TECH 9-14 Pathways to Success Implementation, Impact, and Cost Findings from the New York City P-TECH 9-14 Schools Evaluation New findings in this report indicate that the P-TECH model increased students' postsecondary degree completion, particularly for male students, and boosted internship and dual enrollment rates, even during the pandemic. "By the end of the first year of postsecondary education, 2.6 percent of female and 1.8 percent of male P-TECH 9-14 students had earned degrees, compared with virtually no students from the comparison group, of either gender. These impacts for both genders are statistically significant". "Male students who had the chance to attend P-TECH 9-14 schools were more likely to attain college degrees than male students assigned to other kinds of schools". https://lnkd.in/gKxihZfK www.ptech.org

Exposing K-12 students to diverse career pathways early on is crucial for their personal and professional development. When young people are introduced to a wide range of careers, they can explore their interests, understand their strengths, and envision their future in a way that aligns with their passions and skills. This early exposure helps demystify various professions, including those in STEM, the arts, trades, and emerging fields, making them more accessible to all students, regardless of their background. Additionally, introducing diverse career options early promotes equity by ensuring that all students have the opportunity to see themselves in roles they might not have otherwise considered. It helps break down stereotypes and encourages a more inclusive workforce by inspiring underrepresented groups to pursue careers in fields where they have traditionally been underrepresented. By integrating career exploration into K-12 education, we can inspire the next generation to dream big and think beyond traditional career paths, equipping them with the knowledge and confidence to pursue a future that is both fulfilling and impactful. This approach not only benefits students but also builds a more diverse and skilled workforce for the future. Thank you, Dr. Spence, for being a champion of this important work and for your dedication to empowering all students with the opportunity to explore diverse career pathways. Loudoun County Public Schools Loudoun Education Foundation Loudoun Economic Development #loudouncounty #workforcedevelopment #stemeducation #jobsforthefuture #futureofwork

Got a note (made changes to disguise the author): “My family is a middle class family. When I told them about my aspirations to attend universities like ... they replied by saying “ I don’t think these universities would want a kid like you, forget it. These places are not meant for you.” ... They dismissed me for having such big aspirations.” How to be supportive? One way is to give your high school student who is dreaming about a top-tier college a meaningful gift: set goals for 2025 together. Be intentional. Here is a quick guide that can help you. 9th graders, help them self-reflect and identify a direction. They might be overwhelmed by multiple activities, tutoring, and part-time jobs. Prioritize meaningful pursuits that align with their strengths and allow room for self-discovery. 10th graders, guide them in strategically narrowing down their extracurriculars to focus on those with the most potential to showcase their unique talents. This is the perfect time to shift from doing more to doing what matters most. 11th graders, work together to turn their activities into leadership opportunities with tangible outcomes—whether that means publishing research, scaling a social initiative, or achieving measurable results in their passion projects, aiming for the state or national level. 12th graders require a different approach, I will share a separate message for them. 😊 Happy Holidays! ❤️

DEIJ scholarship program At O’Reilly, we believe that true innovation depends on hearing from, and listening to, people with a variety of perspectives. We want our whole community—including our online learning platform and the technology organizations who engage with it—to recognize, include, and encourage people of all races, ethnicities, genders, ages, abilities, religions, sexual orientations, and professional roles. To help members of groups underrepresented in technology develop and sharpen the skills needed to break through barriers within the field, we’re offering 500 annual scholarships giving recipients full access to the O’Reilly learning platform. Learn more about how O’Reilly is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice here: https://lnkd.in/gcmfkGik Who it’s for The O’Reilly DEIJ scholarship is for those from groups underrepresented in tech who want to kick-start their career, upskill, or develop new skills. These groups include women, the Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and Asian communities, the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, and people with a physical or neurological disability. How to apply To be considered for an O’Reilly DEIJ scholarship, please submit your application on or before April 1, 2024. You’ll be notified of your acceptance status by June 15, 2024. Apply Here: https://lnkd.in/gWuGs83Q #AI #Tech #OReilly #DEIJ #Scholarship #TechNews #Learning #Diversity #Technology #Underrepresented

🌟 Program Spotlight 🌟 We are thrilled to partner with Philadelphia Works, the Office of Children and Families, and the School District of Philadelphia as the official Capacity Building Providers for C2L-PHL! 💼 C2L-PHL is Philadelphia’s groundbreaking career-connected learning initiative, designed to equip youth and young adults with the skills, knowledge, and mindset they need to thrive in the workforce and community. Through C2L-PHL, young people can access paid summer and year-round work experiences that provide: ✅ Professional development ✅ Tools, templates, and resources ✅ Comprehensive program support During a recent visit to Temple University-Lenfest, we asked the group to analyze societal challenges and propose solutions for their ideal utopia. For more career-connected learning insights and free resources, explore The Resource Library, expertly curated by our very own Shanika Peck, Director of Career Programs, and her amazing team! https://lnkd.in/epdfKfqs #C2LPHL #CareerConnectedLearning #YouthEmpowerment #FutureLeaders #FoundationsInc

🔧 What does equity look like in career and technical education? Join us on December 11, 2024, for a Partners in Practice TA Collaborative featuring the Elkhart Area Career Center. Discover how their unique journey toward equity has shaped their approach as a career and technology education center. 🌟 What to Expect: ✔️ Engage with past and present K-12 partners in practical equity-driven conversations. ✔️ Learn actionable strategies to address urgent equity challenges. ✔️ Gain insights into innovative practices in career and technical education. 🗓️ When: 1:00 PM ET | 12:00 PM CT | 11:00 AM MT 📍 Where: Virtual 📥 Register here: https://lnkd.in/g-WQjTbx 🎯 Audience: Open to school boards, municipalities, school districts, and federally funded centers. Accessibility: Captioning available, additional accommodations upon request. Contact us at (317) 278-3493 or glec@iupui.edu. #EquityInEducation #CareerAndTechnicalEducation #EducationalLeadership #InclusionMatters #DEI #PartnersInPractice