Cultivating a Culture of College
At Greater Than, we are committed to fostering a college-going culture that prepares our students for future success. To achieve this goal, we organize college visits for our students starting in elementary school and continuing through their senior year of high school. By the time they finish sixth grade, our students will have visited six campuses, setting them on a path toward sustainable, well-paying careers.
This year alone, our students will have visited several colleges and universities, including Portland State University, Lewis & Clark, Mt. Hood Community College, and Linfield University. These visits are not just about educating students about the possibility of college. Rather, these experiences are an opportunity for students to see themselves as college students.
Fourth graders at Mt. Hood Community College were very excited to be greeted by Barney, the St. Bernard mascot!
As many of the students we work with will be the first in their family to go to college, we understand that the very discussion of college can be intimidating. That’s why we include parents and primary caregivers in our college visits. This provides families with the opportunity to learn about possibilities available to their students after high school and to ask questions together. Our college visits not only introduce students to the possibilities of post-secondary education, but they include families as active partners in the college and career planning process. We also partner with college admissions counselors to create a culturally responsive college tour so students meet and interact with current college students who share their same background. In this way students can more easily envision themselves as college students.
Third graders at Lewis & Clark
Visiting colleges is a crucial aspect of creating a college culture. Even at an early age, college campus field trips leave a lasting impression. When these trips continue throughout middle school and high school, they further foster a college-going mindset creating a culture where every student has the opportunity to pursue their dreams.
Fourth graders excited for the chemistry lesson!
With a meaningful gift to Greater Than, you will be helping to provide even more opportunities for our students to explore post-secondary education and to achieve their academic and career goals. Join us in creating a brighter future for our community.