By Kenneth Mullinax/ASU

 

In its quest to advance its ongoing mission of uplifting the community, Alabama State University recently hosted the Thurgood Marshall College Fund's (TMCF) Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Scholars Program. It was the first time that the national event had been held on the University’s campus. Trenholm State Community College partnered with ASU in hosting the prestigious program, June 23 - 28.

 

Dr. Tanjula Petty, vice president for Institutional Effectiveness, Strategic Initiatives, and Transformation, coordinated the program for the University and explained that the TMCF SOAR (Seeking, Observing and Achieving Results) program is all about championing students as they explore and determine their pathway after high school.

 

"During this one-week residential HBCU exploratory experience, rising high school seniors were exposed to the vast array of opportunities available following their secondary education," Petty said.  

 

She shared that the high school students who took place in the program participated in on-campus seminars, presentations, networking opportunities and workshops to learn about college preparation skills and about HBCUs and HBCCs (Historically Black Community Colleges). 

 

Dr. Petty believes that hosting this program is not only important to the high school students participating in it, but also to Alabama State University’s ongoing efforts to fulfill the University's Strategic Plan 2030, particularly in relation to what ASU President Dr. Quinton T. Ross, Jr. terms as "CommUniversity," which is the University uplifting the community.

 

"We were excited to have more than 80 rising high school scholars on campus to allow them to build a peer network with other rising scholars from across the country with similar interests as they were engaged in academic, financial literacy, and social activities. This type of positive program to help youth in our community is what Alabama State University is all about," Petty stated.