The Summer Scholars Institute is supported by the United Way of Hall County and with contributions to the Gainesville State College Foundation, specifically for Summer Scholars.
What is Summer Scholars?
For many 10 - 15 year-old youths, early adolescence offers opportunities to choose a path toward a productive and fulfilling life. For many others, it represents their last best chance to avoid a diminished future.
The Summer Scholars Institute (SSI) is an intensive, four-week summer program for rising 8th, 9th, and 10th grade students in "at-risk" environments. The program encourages high school completion and entry into post-secondary education. Students, selected by their local middle schools, are taught academic success skills that transition to the curriculum they will encounter in their next year in school. This program is only offered on the Gainesville Campus.
Program Coordinator: Robin Anyanwu
Location: Student Center
Voice: 678-717-3994
E-Mail: ranyanwu@gsc.edu
Videos & Presentations
Mission Statement:
The mission of the Summer Scholars Institute is to make post-secondary education accessible to a population group that has traditionally been underrepresented in higher education. The program seeks to achieve this goal by enhancing language and communication skills, strengthening study skills, redirecting negative behavior, building cross-cultural awareness, and creating positive self-esteem. Also, special efforts are made to involve the families of the children in the overall process.
Goals
- Increase retention and prevent dropouts
- Improve academic skills
- Promote interest and strength in language arts, math, and science
- Provide knowledge for exploring career options
- Increase college awareness
- Provide exposure to positive role-models
- Provide recreational and cultural activities
- Encourage parental involvement
Recruitment
We seek to have a diverse group of students from the local Latino, African-American, Anglo and Asian communities. The Summer Scholars Coordinator at Gainesville State College, area middle school teachers and counselors all participate in recruitment and referral to the program. Each spring written recommendations from teachers and counselors are used in the selection process.
Counselors