Central Lakes College, Brainerd and Staples, recently hosted
about 50 high school seniors for the Mille Lacs Area Senior High School
Transition Camp. The
students attended mini-sessions that included interactive dialogue on the
following topics with the following experts:
1.
Diversity – discrimination
policies, Mary Sam.
2.
Transition -- Lane Beauvais.
3.
Advising -- navigating through
the college system, Jane Vogt.
4.
Financial Aid – what do you need
to know, Mike Barnaby.
5.
Student Life -- clubs, activities, sports, fine arts, Erich
Heppner.
6.
College/University Communication
Systems/Online D2L, e-services, e-mail; why you should stay connected, Julie Jo
Larson.
7.
Disability -- reasonable
accommodations, supportive services, Aaron Mertes.
8.
Admissions -- career exploration,
registration processes, online learning, Rose Tretter.
A panel of CLC
students focused on books and materials, keys to success, student orientation,
pushing yourself and selecting the right classes, self-advocacy and seeking
advice to make connections, finding an adviser, mentorship, getting to know
your campus and faculty, balancing course work, jobs, sports and fine arts
activities, the first two weeks of adjusting to change, building relationships
and finding support, college drop-add policies and withdrawing from class, what
to do if in a bind, and dealing with conflict.
Student panelists were Julie Jo
Larson, Anna Backberg, Shay Samuelson, and Adam Schlangen.
The event was held to assist college-age students with information
specific to CLC as well as providing knowledge about being “college-ready” and
knowing what is needed to be a successful college student. The students were
given the opportunity to connect with a variety of college leaders willing to
serve as mentors.
Charles Black Lance, director of
TRiO-Upward Bound and Student Support Services, was the keynote speaker. His
talk was titled “So, You’re Going to College.”
Mike Kuklok, instructor in the Heavy
Equipment Operation and Maintenance program, provided a simulator for the students
to try their eye-hand coordination in life-like excavation. He discussed
non-traditional careers and global job opportunities.
Mary Sam, Director of Diversity, Equity and Tribal
Relations, coordinated the event, with assistance from Megan Olson, TRiO
student support adviser.
