Kirtland Community College Hosts Annual College Fair, Connecting Local High School Students to Statewide Educational Opportunities

Over forty colleges, universities, and other organization representatives will be present at Kirtland Community College on September 25 from 9-11 a.m. for a college fair event open to local area high school students. Kirtland is excited to host this annual college fair, an event designed to foster connections between local high school students and a wide range of colleges and universities across Michigan. 

“The Kirtland College Fair aims to create meaningful connections between local high school students and a wide range of colleges and universities across the state,” said Kirtland’s Vice President of Student Services Michelle Vyskocil. “Our goal is to provide students with access to diverse educational opportunities. During the event, students will have the opportunity to engage with college representatives, learn about campus life, inquire about admissions processes, explore scholarship options, and receive essential information on financial aid.”

Approximately five hundred local area high school students will attend the event held in the Dr. Thomas Quinn Event Center on the morning of September 25 and are arriving from the Intermediate School District (I.S.D.) of Crawford, Oscoda, Ogemaw, and Roscommon (C.O.O.R.). This initiative is part of Kirtland’s ongoing efforts to serve as a community resource and bridge the gap between secondary and higher education. By bringing numerous post-secondary institutions together in one setting, the college fair will offer attendees a view of the options available to them as they make decisions about their future academic paths.

“A college fair is a good time for students to learn about or expand their knowledge about colleges and careers. The college and career representatives have a great deal of information to share and are pleased to answer any questions that prospective students have,” said Kirtland’s Recruitment Specialist and Advisor Andrea Terry. 

At the college fair, students and their families will have the opportunity to interact with a wide array of colleges and universities from across Michigan. Each participating institution will have representatives available to answer questions and provide insight into their respective programs, admissions requirements, financial aid, and scholarship opportunities. This year’s fair is expected to draw participants from public and private colleges, universities, and specialized institutions that offer unique academic programs.

Students attending the event will benefit in the following ways:

• One-on-One Interaction with College Representatives: Students can speak directly with admissions officers and recruiters to learn about the application process, important deadlines, and what makes each institution unique.
• Insight into Campus Life: Representatives will provide students with an understanding of what to expect in college life, including student organizations, housing options, and academic resources.
• Exploration of Financial Aid and Scholarships: Financial considerations are a key aspect of college planning, and students will have the chance to ask about federal financial aid programs such as FAFSA, institutional aid, and various scholarship opportunities specific to each institution.
• Guidance on Admissions Procedures: With each college operating under different admissions criteria, students can obtain details on what they need to submit for their applications, whether that be standardized test scores, high school transcripts, or recommendation letters.

Vyskocil emphasized that one of the key aspects of the college fair is helping students and families understand the many financial aid options available to them. “We want to demystify the financial aid process for students and families. College should be accessible to everyone, and by learning about financial aid early, students can make more informed decisions about their future without being discouraged by the costs,” she explained.

Hosting the college fair at Kirtland ensures that local students, many from rural areas, have direct access to higher education institutions they might not otherwise visit. By eliminating barriers, Kirtland is making it easier for students to explore their post-secondary options without the burden of traveling long distances. 

“Attending a college fair can expose a student to a college that they have never heard of before….and it just might be the perfect college for that student,” said Terry

Students attending the college fair will also receive helpful materials and brochures from the colleges, ensuring they have information to review at home as they continue their college exploration process. With both in-person conversations and printed resources available, students can feel confident they are gathering all the tools they need to make informed decisions about their future.

In addition to college representatives, Kirtland’s knowledgeable staff will be present throughout the event to offer guidance and support to students and families as they navigate the fair. Whether they need help with understanding the admissions process, filling out financial aid forms, or simply narrowing down their choices, staff members will be on hand to provide assistance.

Terry concluded, ” College fairs can help students in the beginning stages of the college search process. More importantly, however, they facilitate those all-important contacts with college admissions officers. Those connections can be used in the future when visiting campuses, connecting with the colleges via social media or email, and even as an advocate when your college application is submitted for consideration for admission.”

For more information or how to get involved with Kirtland’s college fair, contact Andrea Terry at [email protected] or by phone at (989) 275-5000 Ext: 416.