December 21, 2011

We genuinely appreciate our college students’ willingness to return to share their experiences and to provide guidance for our future college students. We thank you, we praise you, and we applaud you!

Each year, through our partnership with the Turner Chapel AME Church Education Ministry, we host a college panel comprised of students, most of whom have returned home for the holiday. This year’s panelist consisted of students representing a broad range of public and private colleges and universities:

  • Arizona State University
  • Boston University
  • Georgia Southern University
  • Hampton University
  • Howard University
  • Life University
  • Livingston College
  • Mercer University
  • Morehouse College
  • Morehouse Medical School
  • North Carolina A&T University
  • NYU
  • Southern Polytechnic State University
  • Spelman College
  • Tuskegee University
  • U.S. Air Force Academy
  • University of Kentucky
  • University of Miami Law School
  • University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill)
  • Universtity of West Georgia
  • Winston-Salem State University

Students reflected a diversity of journeys, majors, issues, and obstacles. Their willingness to candidly share their experiences concerning professors, financial aid, housing, preparation, budgeting, sororities and fraternities,  and the culture of their respective campuses was enriching for both parents and students in attendance. Panelist ranged from freshmen to graduate school students and from being concerned with budgeting their finances to being a Gates Millennium Scholar and Air Force Academy cadet with monthly stipends.

It would appear so obvious that communities concerned with increasing the number of students who enter and succeed in college would follow this example by remaining connected with the students whom they send off to college and reconnecting them to the students whom they hope to prepare for college. I believe that more of our youth would serve their communities if only more communities would provide mechanisms through which they can serve.

Watch the videos:

  1. Part I, students discuss the difference between HBCUs and PWIs (Predominately White Institutions), if college is everything that is made out to be, their biggest academic challenges, and dorm life
  2. Part II, students discuss what their professors are like
  3. Part III, students discuss academic preparation, budgeting, and making the right choice
  4. Part IV, students discuss how much fun they are having and life at the Air Force Academy
  5. Part V, students talk about their college worship experience, class size, fraternities and sororities, developing character, and networking