RISE students on Kirkwood’s main campus in Cedar Rapids
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (June 26, 2023)–Kirkwood Community College, in collaboration with the University of Northern Iowa and the Cedar Rapids Community School District, is pleased to welcome local RISE (Reaching Incredible Steps through Education) students to campus.
RISE is an inaugural summer program for incoming high school freshmen, operating under Educational Talent Search Cedar Rapids (ETSCR), a federally-funded educational program located at the University of Northern Iowa Center for Urban Education in Waterloo.
The goal of ETSCR is to encourage 6th-12th grade students to graduate from high school and to enroll in college. ETSCR participants are students who demonstrate potential for postsecondary education, but may be lacking information, resources, and knowledge to prepare adequately. To meet the program’s federal grant requirements, two-thirds of the participants must be low-income and first-generation potential college students.
“We provide individualized and group assistance with academic planning, FAFSA preparation and waivers, tutoring, college and career exploration, workshops, and fieldtrip/college tours to students who attend Franklin, McKinley, Roosevelt, and Wilson middle schools; and Jefferson and Washington high schools,” said Dr. A. Denita Gadson, director of ETS Cedar Rapids.
RISE expands the program’s offerings, preparing students for success in high school through research-based curriculum, and public and private college and university visits. For two weeks, RISE participants will participate in a series of workshops to prepare them for high school success, make new friends, visit colleges, enjoy cultural events and entertainment.
On Thursday, June 29, RISE students will participate in a presentation and tour from Kirkwood’s admissions staff.
“Most of the students in the RISE summer program have not decided on a major, career, or begun to focus their interests in any particular area,” Gadson said. “We know that having guidance and direction can make a difference. The ETSCR program is very intentional about creating opportunities to expose our scholars to as many academic, cultural and social experiences as possible.”