Community College’s GMSCPP graduates

June 13, 2008 06:24 am

— The Governor’s Minority Student College Preparatory Program (GMSCPP) at Somerset Community College held a financial aid workshop followed by a graduation ceremony in the Harold Rogers Student Commons on Saturday, May 10.
Ten middle school students graduated from the program. The students are Savaghn Alexander, Micah Cunningham, Myles Gibson, Maria Martinez, Desiré Napier, Brian Obina, Miguel Roque, Brandon Newell, Kelsie Whitson and Cynteah Giddings.
About 30 people attended the event. This is the seventh year that SCC has provided the enrichment program.
SCC Director of Financial Aid Shawn Anderson and SCC Veterans Affairs and Scholarship Coordinator Veronica Debord provided students and parents with information and guidance in the area of financial aid for college.
GMSCPP is a year-long grant program at SCC. The program works with area middle school students. The purpose is to encourage minority students to prepare and plan for college.
The program included a three-week summer enrichment program and monthly activities intended to begin preparing students for college.
An example of the activities included a visit by Dr. Wardell Johnson, Eastern Kentucky University’s assistant professor, sports and exercise science, to discuss how student’s choices impact academic performance. He encouraged the students to work hard academically and be prepared to make adjustments as they continue their pursuit for higher education.
At the conclusion of his presentation, he invited the students to Eastern Kentucky University to learn more about how to access higher education and experience campus life.
The students traveled to Eastern Kentucky University in November to tour the campus and gather information about the various academic programs available.
Steve Greenwell, EKU admission officer, hosted the students while on campus. After eating lunch in the school cafeteria, the students attended the final home game of the football season.
The middle school students will conclude the 2007-08 programming year with a field trip to the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville at the end of the month.
A new GMSCPP session began on May 31.
For more information about the GMSCPP Program contact George Martinez at:
George.martinez@kctcs.edu
or call him at (606) 451-6698.

Photos

Myles Gibson was one of 10 Somerset and Pulaski County middle school students to graduate from the Somerset Community College Governors Minority Student College Preparatory Program (GMSCPP) in May. Gibson is the son of Joe and Natalie Gibson. He is shown with the Kentucky Community and Technical College System Director for Cultural Diversity Natalie Gibson. Commonwealth Journal

Miguel Roque with Kentucky Community and Technical College System Director for Cultural Diversity Natalie Gibson. Roque is the son of Kathryn and Charles Collins. Commonwealth Journal

Maria Martinez and Natalie Gibson. Martinez is the daughter of George and Sonja Martinez. Commonwealth Journal

Cynteah Giddings with Gibson. She is the daughter of Roy and Monique Lee. Commonwealth Journal

Savaghn Alexander with Gibson. He is the son of Kevin Alexander. Commonwealth Journal

Micah Cunningham graduated from the GMSCPP in May. He is the son of Perry and Amanda Cunningham. Commonwealth Journal

Brian Obino with Gibson. He is the son of George Omwenga. Commonwealth Journal

Desiré Napier with Gibson. She is the daughter of Bobby and Shirley Napier. Not pictured among the graduates were Brandon Newell, the son of Bobby and Angela Newell and Kelsie Whitson, the daughter of April Whitson. Commonwealth Journal