Noteworthy

Local High School Students and Parents in a scholarship Workshop

On Saturday, October 22, 2022, a group of 45 high school students and their parents recently visited Oakland University for a workshop focused on college readiness and successfully navigating the financial aspects for higher education.

The Michigan Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness (MI GEARUP) Scholarship Workshop brought 9^th – 12^th grade students from Oak Park High School, Pontiac High School, International Technology Academy and other Oakland County schools to campus, where they took part in a workshop led by Oakland University alumna and Detroit native Gwen Thomas.

Thomas, an education advocate and author of the book “The Parent’s Smart Guide to Sending Your Kids to College Without Going Broke”, covered a variety of topics including: winning scholarships, writing essays, loans, careers, FAFSA, educational global competitiveness and more.

During the workshop, the group was provided with three scholarship opportunities.  Students were encouraged by Ms. Thomas to view the first scholarship and to begin completing the application online. The event was sponsored by Pre-College Programs, Project Upward Bound, The City of Pontiac, and the Pontiac Promise Zone. This event was in collaboration with the MI GEAR UP initiative at Oakland University. MI GEAR UP offers a variety of academic and social services to high school students in the Oak Park and Pontiac school districts. Students receive academic and social programming from ninth grade through their freshman year of college.

Thomas said, “I am very proud to see that Oakland University is involved in the GEARUP program. It gives young people a hand up; it gives them some direction. Oftentimes, these are the students who are the first in their families to have a journey into higher education.”

Parents and students stated, “the presenter provided helpful information.” Participants also stated the information shared was, “good information for the start of college” and the information provided “was informative.”

At the conclusion of the workshop, Teresa A. Rodges, Senior Director for Community Service and Pre-College Programs at Oakland University, thanked the Project Upward Bound, the City of Pontiac, Pontiac Promise Zone, Pre-College Department staff and Gwen Thomas for providing the young people of Oakland County with this amazing opportunity.

Pontiac High School Girls Field Trip to Oakland County Airport

The 2022 OBAP Fall Meet and Greet Event

On a sunny morning of November 8, 2022, a group of eleven young girls from Pontiac High school joined the Pre-College Program (PCP) staff to Oakland County Aviation Airport in the city of Waterford, Michigan. The airline crew welcomed our group with a big smile. The girls met the crew, listened to their life testimonies, career experiences and bright thoughts throughout the presentations. The speakers were open to answer any question, to accept any comment and they left a unique impression and a big hope into the girls’ hearts. It was a remarkable day and a productive trip for all, which it ended by sharing lunch together.     

Teresa A. Rodges, Senior Director for Community Service and Pre-College Programs at Oakland University, welcomed the group and the airline crew and she especially focused on the bright road that is opened for the young girls with the Program’s financial support for each one of them through the Pontiac Promise Zone Scholarship program. Ms. Rodges spent the whole morning listening and talking with the airport’s employees. She was amazed by the young presenters who highlighted their different backgrounds, how they became as successful, and their future aspirations.

There were four presenters who shared some interesting information and life experiences with the girls. 

African American Airline Pilot Justin Watson from United Airlines, born and raised in the city of Detroit, shared his dream to be a pilot since his first flight trip with his mother, when he was in sixth grade. He explained how his career journey was developed step by step with being committed, working hard and loving what he was doing. Captain Watson explained his day as a pilot and he also showed some maps on his IPad and the sky as he sees them from his plane. He guided the group to the maintenance department too. He stated that there is a shortage of African American Female Pilots and recruitment to the field is underway. He told the group that, “as a Pilot, you can make a salary exceeding 6 figures, will be paid for your work, your flight and your sleep too.”

Another young lady with a beautiful personality was in attendance and she shared her life testimony too, Ms. Vernecelyn Allen, assistant flight instructor who teaches at Southern Illinois University (SIU). Ms. Allen, age 24, made her way to reach her goal and work at the flight field. She shared information regarding the free programs that are provided by the company and shared the “Rules and Guidelines” book among the group.

Captain Theresa Whiting, an airline pilot stepped in during her vacation to welcome everyone at the airport. She encouraged the girls to think forward, to plan for their future, and to accept challenges. She also shared a photo of another Theresa “Theresa Caliborn,” and explained how she defied the odds to become the first African American Boeing 787 Captain.

During the meeting, a young gentleman walked in the room and with a big smile introduced himself, Mr. Zac Saez, 20-year-old flight instructor CFI/CFII/MEI. Mr. Saez told the girls about his past, the way he used to live as a homeless man, and during the Senior high school year, he was interested in changing his living style to be something different. His testimony resonated with many of the girls in attendance.

The day ended with Captain Watson requesting that each student ask a question, in which he answered personally.

Teresa Rodges encouraged the girls to do their very best in school and to pursue their dreams, “When students are given opportunities to explore careers, such as aviation, at an early age, it drives their sense of purpose, and they become more engaged. The financial barrier to success has been lifted through the Pontiac Promise Zone scholarships and academic scholarships attainable through Oakland University for college bound students. I enjoy working for a University that is committed to students’ post-secondary education and success. Many of the Pontiac students participating in the event today have demonstrated their desire to be successful after high school and in the near future attend Oakland University,” stated Rodges.

Ms. Rodges thanked Captain Watson, the staff at Crosswinds Aviation, Pre-College Programs (PCP) staff, and our community partners from Citadel Perpetual Learning, for their participation in the event, and for the Girls Empowerment Program held at Pontiac High School in collaboration with OU’s PCP GEAR-UP program.

Pontiac High School Students participate in Divine 9 Workshop

The Divine 9 at Oakland University has been a staple at the University for years, and continues to promote a vibrant Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL) on campus and throughout the community. Each organization or chapter, is unique in its own values, ideals, philanthropy, rituals, and more. Oakland University students have the opportunity to join the (FSL) community at any point during their undergraduate career and to create strong bonds that will last a lifetime.

Mr. Malik Williams, the President of the Divine 9 along with Mr. Peter Durham, program coordinator of Pre-College Programs at Oakland University in association with GEARUP grant, partnered up to reach out to the community on multiple levels. The initial pathway for the Divine 9 to impact the community started on October 25, 2022 at Pontiac High School. At this event Fraternities and Sororities Life (FSL) had the opportunity to introduce each individual chapter to 80 juniors and seniors’ at Pontiac High School.  During the workshop, the Divine 9 was tasked with not only introducing its Fraternity and or Sorority goals, values and ideals, but also its principles to live by and how important their lifetime connections for Oakland Universities graduates can be a benefit.

Diversity and inclusion for the surrounding communities has always been a pillar of outreach and education at Oakland University. The Pre and Post surveys given during the D9 presentation proved that observation, exposure and understanding will impact future generations' mindsets in the pursuit of higher-level educational interest. 

The data revealed that before entering the D9 workshop, about 74% of students who attended the workshop, they did not know anything about the Divine 9, and after attending the workshop, less than 10% of students could say that they did not have any knowledge about the D9. After the workshop presentation, around 82% of the attendance were able to name a chapter in the Divine 9 verses 61%. In addition to that, about 51% of students said that they would join a Divine 9-chapter versus 24% to start it soon.

This data alone proves that, the more we as a university can introduce our communities to different programs inside our campus, we will peak the interest of our desired audience.  

At the end of the workshop, Mr. Williams assured the students that, “We are here for you.”