> Successful program boosts aboriginal post-secondary participation
Successful program boosts aboriginal post-secondary participation
Contact:
John McKendry, 778-782-7612, John_McKendry@sfu.ca
Rob Fleming, 604-599-3477, Rob.Fleming@kwantlen.ca
Natalie Wood, 778-782-7107, Natalie_Wood@sfu.ca
John McKendry, 778-782-7612, John_McKendry@sfu.ca
Rob Fleming, 604-599-3477, Rob.Fleming@kwantlen.ca
Natalie Wood, 778-782-7107, Natalie_Wood@sfu.ca
August 21, 2007
A program designed to help prepare aboriginal students to enter university will enter its second year at Simon Fraser University's Surrey campus this fall. Eighteen students have enrolled in the joint SFU-Kwantlen University College aboriginal university preparation program.
The program is one of only a few programs in B.C. designed to prepare First Nations students for higher education, says John McKendry, SFU Surrey's community outreach and engagement program director. The four-month tuition-free program is funded in part by B.C.’s advanced education ministry.
"The program gives students a solid foundation of academic and personal success skills to help them prepare for a full range of post-secondary education options," says McKendry.
It includes foundation courses in university-level reading and writing, mathematics, and indigenous knowledge in the modern world as well as study skills, managing stress, motivation, wellness, and careers in a global environment.
The program also familiarizes students with other aspects of the university process, such as dealing with student and counselling services.
Says McKendry: "We had a 60 percent completion rate in the first cohort--highly encouraging for a program of this nature."
“This initiative is a significant step towards providing much-needed pathways for aboriginal students to enter trades, vocational, and baccalaureate degree programs at Kwantlen University College or Simon Fraser University”, said Rob Fleming, Kwantlen’s associate vice-president academic services.
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The program is one of only a few programs in B.C. designed to prepare First Nations students for higher education, says John McKendry, SFU Surrey's community outreach and engagement program director. The four-month tuition-free program is funded in part by B.C.’s advanced education ministry.
"The program gives students a solid foundation of academic and personal success skills to help them prepare for a full range of post-secondary education options," says McKendry.
It includes foundation courses in university-level reading and writing, mathematics, and indigenous knowledge in the modern world as well as study skills, managing stress, motivation, wellness, and careers in a global environment.
The program also familiarizes students with other aspects of the university process, such as dealing with student and counselling services.
Says McKendry: "We had a 60 percent completion rate in the first cohort--highly encouraging for a program of this nature."
“This initiative is a significant step towards providing much-needed pathways for aboriginal students to enter trades, vocational, and baccalaureate degree programs at Kwantlen University College or Simon Fraser University”, said Rob Fleming, Kwantlen’s associate vice-president academic services.
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