ASU summer camp helps prepare Putnam County students for college life

ALBANY — With almost three months of school vacation, summertime provides the perfect opportunity for high school students to begin preparations for college. Students from the Putnam County Charter School System did just that by participating in two weeklong summer camps at Albany State University.

During the weeks of June 6-9 and June 13-16, 45 PCCSS students participated in a summer program at ASU that introduced them to the academic demands of college life prior to acceptance. During the week, students explored opportunities for attending college, prepared for and completed college entrance exams, and received assistance with completing college applications. As part of the program, students also developed skills related to decision-making, time management, financial literacy, career selection, and social and character development.

Kimberly Holmes, the vice president of Institutional Effectiveness, said the camp provided students with excellent opportunities and experiences to prepare them for college life. Holmes added that she hopes to see the Putnam County students back on campus as university students.

“Our faculty conducted lab experiments, engaged the students in dance and music performances, simulated clinical experiences and demonstrated STEM education activities.” Holmes said. “It was an exciting two weeks, and we look forward to seeing these students back on campus as ASU Rams.”

During the program, some participants developed new interests in different fields of studies. One of these students was rising ninth-grader Tessa Shelton, who originally claimed language as her favorite subject but, after completing class experiments at ASU, she said that science is her new favorite.

“This experience made college seem easier than what everyone made it out to be,” Shelton said. “The professors said everyone at ASU is very nice, and they actually showed it. This may be one of the colleges that I want to go to.”

Other students found that the program prepared them to pursue their dream careers. One such student was Breshya Farley, also a rising ninth-grader, who said she plans to pursue a career as a coroner and also attend ASU in the future.

“In the classroom, we learned about important chemicals. I liked the chemicals and how they’re put together to form new substances,” Farley said. “I think this relates to being a coroner because I have to find out what happened to bodies.”

Erica Arena, the PCCSS superintendent, said that the partnership with ASU will show their students that learning is not just about feeding information to students in the front row and that their future is full of possibilities in a variety of different career paths.

“It exposes students to careers and college majors in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, as well as liberal and performing arts, while allowing students the experiences of living on a college campus,” Arena said. “This bold partnership between the Putnam County Charter School System and Albany State University will help facilitate the opportunity needed for our students to own their education path and success.”

Arena said the program also benefits parents by improving awareness of the college admissions process, financial aid requirements, scholarship opportunities and other related information necessary to facilitate the students’ smooth transition into the college environment.

For more information on Albany State University, visit the university’s website at www.asurams.edu.