Kirtland Foundation welcomes students to new Path to Success program
GRAYLING, Mich., Dec. 20, 2019 — Last week, Kirtland Community College welcomed 19 seventh grade students from Houghton Lake, Roscommon and St. Helen schools into the Kirtland Foundation’s new Path to Success program at an induction ceremony on December 10.
The students are part of the first cohort of the program, which helps local students reach their highest potential. Path to Success serves students from seventh through twelfth grade and promotes cultural awareness, academic achievement, social development and well-rounded learning. The curriculum and programming is designed to broaden horizons, advise and mentor, help students develop new skills and improve overall school performance. Through mentoring and interactions with college personnel and students, students gain invaluable insight into higher education and career development.
“As we’re aiming to strengthen our region it’s important to invest our students early so they can clearly see all the possible careers paths they could take,” said David Lepper, Director of the Kirtland Foundation, “Many of these kids would be first-generation college students, and now they’re learning key skills and having unique experiences that will set them up for success later on.”
The program will teach seventh grade students in their first year about character building, teamwork skills and cultural enrichment through Kirtland Community College campus visits, museum tours, plays, restaurants, trips to the state capitol and more.
“This is incredibly eye opening for the students,,” shared Kaye Metcalf, the mother of two sisters in the program. “They’re experiencing things that they wouldn’t be able to otherwise, and showing them the potential that exists for their futures. That’s powerful.”
Extending through twelfth grade, the program has various programming focused on volunteerism and service learning, college preparation and job readiness. Students are nominated for Path to Success by school counselors, based on need and academic performance.
The program’s funding was provided by an anonymous donor who wanted to see a program that enhanced academic and cultural opportunities for students in the area. After completing the program, students will have the chance to apply for special scholarships from the Kirtland Foundation. High school seniors will also receive additional help applying for college, finding funding opportunities, managing time and finances and more.
To learn more about the Kirtland Foundation and Path to Success, visit https://www.kirtland.edu/foundation/path-to-success/.
About Kirtland Community College
Established in 1966, Kirtland Community College is a two-year college that serves over 17 communities as the largest Michigan community college district. The college offers 38 degrees and certifications across four campuses, and continuously strives to adapt programming to meet economic demands. By fostering a culture of innovation, Kirtland equips students with the tools they need to succeed in fulfilling careers. https://www.kirtland.edu/
About the Kirtland Foundation
As an independent 501(c)(3) organization, the Kirtland Foundation raises money from private donors, local businesses, alumni and more, and then allocates funds in the form of scholarships and grants to Kirtland Community College students and faculty and staff. Last year the foundation awarded over 50 scholarships to Kirtland Students, including first-year students, non-traditional students, part-time students, veterans and more. https://www.kirtland.edu/foundation/path-to-success/
