About 900 fifth-graders participating in Woodring’s Compass 2 Campus program came to campus Oct. 26, as part of a day meant to introduce them to college life.
Compass 2 Campus, a program that was started at Western in 2009 by Cyndie Shepard, sends college students into fifth and sixth-grade classrooms to mentor children who come from underrepresented backgrounds, said Shar Sarte Prince, Compass 2 Campus program manager.
The program has 308 Western mentors this quarter, as well as veterans of the program who volunteered throughout the day, Sarte Prince said.
Between 170 and 200 faculty and staff were involved in the festivities, holding activities for the students, Cyndie Shepard said.
At the day’s opening ceremonies, Cyndie Shepard led the students in a chant to represent the purpose and goal of the program: “Oh, opportunity! Grab it!”
“It’s like, if you are given the opportunity to go on to graduate from high school and on to college, what do you say?” Sarte Prince said. “‘Oh, opportunity! Grab it!’ I think that’s what the program is all about. It’s exciting, it’s empowering.”
Sarte Prince and Cyndie Shepard put three children in caps and gowns to simulate graduation and generate excitement about college.
“My favorite part of the day was [after opening ceremonies] when I was walking on campus,” Sarte Prince said. “The students recognized me [from the robe ceremony] and these little boys told me ‘I want my robe and I’m going to come to Western one day.’”
U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen also spoke at the opening ceremony. He discussed the importance of finding a personal reason to attend college.
Also on campus in support of the program were Washington state Reps. Bob Hasegawa and Kelli Linville.
“We had a lot of positive feedback from all over campus which is exciting,” Sarte Prince said.
Cyndie Shepard heard from a teacher that one student said this was the best field trip ever.
Chelsey Miller, a junior at Western and mentor in the program, was assigned a group of five children to guide through the day along with another mentor.
Her group went to the library for a mini-tour and learned how to check out books.
They then went to the Financial Aid Office in Old Main to learn about the cost of college and how to get scholarships to help make school more affordable.
Since many of these kids come from low-income families, scholarships would help if they chose to seek higher education, Miller said.
Every tour group attended three activities throughout the day all over campus, and Miller’s group’s final activity took place in the Communications Facility.
They watched a video that showed many activities sponsored by Associated Students, and a representative from the Ethnic Student Center discussed goals of affirming identity, building community and cultivating leadership. They also had a discussion about what noise a flying squirrel makes.
Assistant professor Perry Fizzano of the computer science department did his part by entertaining a group of children with the animation of a frog.
He explained how math and equations are used to make video and computer games.
“It’s really fun to expose the kids to all the fun stuff they can do with computers and college in general,” Fizzano said.
The Environmental Health and Safety Office demonstrated remote measuring thermometers, set off fire extinguishers and discussed first aid equipment, said office director Gayle Shipley.
Western senior Shannon Foley is a mentor in the program and was also in charge of transporting five students to their activities around campus with a mentor.
“College seems so hard, but this grabs their attention and shows there are lots of things to explore,” she said. “It shows that it is possible for everyone to go to college.”
The day wrapped up with a seminar called Cookies and Questions, where Western President Bruce Shepard met the students in Carver Gym for a question and answer session.
The program starts when students are in fifth grade, and follows them through high school.
Each year, the program expands to include a new group of fifth-graders, Sarte Prince said.
To encourage motivation for college, each fall the participating fifth-grade students visit Western where they have lessons, visit dorms, tour campus and get a feel for the college atmosphere. Faculty and staff open their doors and do demonstrations.
The program receives funding and support from organizations such as the Eleanor and Henry Jansen Foundation, Verizon Wireless, Erin Baker’s Wholesome Baked Goods and Shell Oil, as well as through personal donations, Sarte Prince said.
