Missouri State-West Plains Hosts High School Extravaganzas
Date: April 28, 2008
Contact: Office of Admissions
417-255-7955
That is the message Missouri State University-West Plains Chancellor Drew Bennett and members of the campus’ Admissions staff have been taking to juniors and seniors at several high schools this year to help them see the benefits of a college education and to encourage them to consider enrolling in a post-secondary program after graduation.
The Missouri State-West Plains contingent began its visits in late December at Mansfield High School and continued them this spring at West Plains, Alton, Plato and Couch High Schools. Another will be held Wednesday, May 7, at Dora High School. With the help of current college students, many of whom attended those high schools, campus officials outlined to the high school students what can be gained with a college degree in hand through informative presentations and student testimonials.
“We wanted to dispel many of the rumors and myths surrounding post-secondary education in general, and Missouri State-West Plains in particular, and make sure that students know what opportunities are available to them with a college degree,” Bennett said.
The idea for the visits came about during a meeting between Bennett and the superintendent at an area school district. “I said Missouri State-West Plains would be happy to speak to any group about education, but we especially wanted to get in front of seniors and juniors,” he recalled. “When the first invitation came, our admissions and recruiting team developed our program.”
During the presentation, students learn that, over the course of a lifetime, those who receive bachelor’s degrees earn $1 million or more than those with just a high school diploma. Those with an associate’s degree will earn $400,000 or more than those who enter the workforce with just a high school diploma.
“We also explain to them how they will be better qualified and more productive in their careers and how they will be able to provide more for their families with a college education,” Bennett said.
The high school students also learn that, at Missouri State-West Plains:
• the campus is open admissions – any high school graduate or GED recipient can attend;
• $5.5 million in financial assistance is given out to students every year;
• almost 85 percent of students receive some kind of financial aid;
• courses are offered at several different academic levels and students can receive free tutoring and counseling to help them with their studies;
• through a combination of distance learning opportunities (online courses, interactive television classes) and the new Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday schedule format, students can take a full load of courses while only coming to campus two days a week;
• almost half of the students attending Missouri State-West Plains do so on a part-time basis;
• the Associate of Arts in General Studies degree will transfer to any public four-year university in Missouri;
• students can complete a bachelor’s and/or master’s degree in several subject areas on the West Plains campus through Missouri State University’s Academic Outreach program;
• the campus offers a variety of sports, organizations and activities to make the college experience fun and exciting.
“One of the most effective parts of this program is to watch Missouri State University-West Plains students talk to the seniors and juniors at the high schools where our college students just graduated. They have a credibility and bond that helps drive home the message – college IS possible,” Bennett said.
Turnout at the five high schools visited this academic year has been impressive, he said. Each has had an assembly of at least 70 students, if not more, and many have stayed behind after the program to ask additional questions of campus officials and students. “We’re seeing many students consider college as an option for their future,” Bennett said.
He also hopes the visits reveal another message from officials at Missouri State-West Plains. “We want students and high school administrators to know that we think this subject is important enough for us to come to them instead of just sending them material or asking them to come to us,” Bennett explained. “I think that, as high schools see the value of this presentation, we will be asked back more and more.”
DR. DREW BENNETT, left, chancellor of Missouri State University-West Plains, shakes hands with Couch School Superintendent Tom Bull during a High School Extravaganza visit from Missouri State-West Plains officials and students. University officials and students visited with juniors and seniors at the high school about the benefits of a college education as part of a new initiative to encourage all high school students to consider attending college after graduation. With Bennett and Bull is Missouri State-West Plains Student Ambassador Taryn Cole of Seymour. (Missouri State-West Plains Photo)
STUDENTS FROM COUCH High School visit with Student Ambassadors from Missouri State University-West Plains during a recent High School Extravaganza visit by university officials and students designed to encourage juniors and seniors to consider attending college after graduation. During the program, university officials and students outlined the benefits of a college education using an informative presentation and student testimonials. Visiting from left are Couch junior Tara Combs, Student Ambassador Taryn Cole of Seymour, Couch junior Lauren Williams and Student Ambassador Nick Openshaw of Plato. (Missouri State-West Plains Photo)