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Seventeen college-bound students in the tenth grade from DC Public Schools’ Frank W. Ballou High School (Ballou) visited ÓñÃ×ÊÓƵ University. Sponsored by the School of Education, the students and two teachers met with admissions representatives, toured campus, enjoyed a meal in the dining hall, and learned about SOE's Dual Enrollment program offering free college courses for DC Public Schools students, and theÌýTeacher Pipeline Project.

The visit began at the Katzen Visitor Center, met by SOE’s Dr. Toks Fashola, and Bonnie Berry. Dr. Fashola welcomed the visitors, conducted a mini-orientation to ÓñÃ×ÊÓƵ University, and engaged in an initial question and answer session. Mr. Kevin Mondragon led the orientation session at the visitor’s center, and the students gotÌýsome ÓñÃ×ÊÓƵ swag. After attending the formal information session, Interim Dean Dr. Rodney Hopson met the students, welcomed them, and challenged the students to envision themselves as ÓñÃ×ÊÓƵ students as they moved through campus. He shared how ÓñÃ×ÊÓƵ had personally influenced him and his family.

The School of Education (SOE) and Ballou have long been partners as part of ÓñÃ×ÊÓƵ + Ballou, which shepherds Ballou students through their time at ÓñÃ×ÊÓƵ University. They are also partners through theÌýTeacher Pipeline ProjectÌýwhereÌýstudents are dually enrolled in college during their senior year of high school in theÌýÓñÃ×ÊÓƵ Dual Enrollment Program. Today's visit was a great opportunity for tenth graders to get early exposure to the potential of attending ÓñÃ×ÊÓƵ in their senior year as Dual Enrollees.

Two specially selected ÓñÃ×ÊÓƵ undergraduate seniors led a tour of the main campus, where they explored the School of International Studies, dormitories in Letts Hall, the Mary Graydon Center, through the Quad to Bender Arena, and then to lunch in the newly renovated Terrace Dining Room.

While walking across the Quad, not only were the students surprised to meet and shake hands with ÓñÃ×ÊÓƵ President John Alger, and they enjoyed having selfies taken with ÓñÃ×ÊÓƵ's mascot Clawed! Ajah Hawkins, an ÓñÃ×ÊÓƵ sophomore andÌýaÌýDual Enrollment alum spoke to the students about herÌýexperiences.

At the Terrace Dining Room, students experienced a true college meal in the dining hall and they met two current basketball players who engaged with Ballou students and answered questions about life as a student athlete in college.

After lunch, the tenth graders learned about three of the ways they could engage with the School of Education:

1. The Child Development Associate program: Those with an interestÌýin early childhood education may enroll in this program which, coupled with training in a childhood educational setting, results in the most widely recognized credential in early childhood education.
2. ÓñÃ×ÊÓƵ Dual Enrollment program: Ballou (along with other DC Public Schools) students are eligible in their eleventh year to apply to take two free college courses at ÓñÃ×ÊÓƵ. ÌýTuition, books, and participation are free, and we provide transportation to students when needed.
3. Undergraduate ÓñÃ×ÊÓƵ Teaching Fellows: This program offers select DC students full scholarships; assistance preparing for the PraxiÌýexam; a guaranteed job in a DCÌýschool with mentoring for their first five years if they commit to teaching in DC schools uponÌýcompletion of their education degree.

The students engaged with many questions, and SOE will continue to engage with them.