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Columbus City School Seniors Get a Close Look at Their Future at Columbus State
April 6, 2023 -- Touring a college campus for the first time can leave people overwhelmed, nervous, or even lost. But thanks to transition days at Columbus State Community College, Columbus City School students are easing their way to their next chapter.
“I might be nervous when I start school here, but right now, I feel fine walking around campus. It feels like a good environment,” said Walnut Ridge High School senior Aniyah Allen.
Allen spent Tuesday, April 4 touring the CSCC campus for the first time with others in her class; she was one of the hundreds of CCS seniors participating in tours before spring break to become more familiar with the CSCC campus and get a close look at the Columbus Promise.
Columbus Promise is a pilot program that can cover tuition fees for CCS graduates of 2022, ‘23, and ‘24. The scholarship initiative is a partnership between the college-advising program I Know I Can, the City of Columbus, CCS, and CSCC. Terrence Lawrence, Interim Director for the Columbus Promise, said it’s about helping students make their own future.
“It’s letting them know they have access to college and informing them that college is an opportunity for everyone. It’s giving them the opportunity to educate themselves and find the purpose for a greater life,” Lawrence said.
Allen said she plans on taking advantage of the program after graduating at the end of this school year.
“I am looking forward to coming here and majoring in Business Management. I don’t know exactly what I want to do when I’m older, but I have my own business right now, it’s a T-shirt business, so I want to lean into that more,” Allen said.
Allen said both her parents are business owners, and that inspired her to start something for herself; Columbus State Community College opens her future to many new career options.
The campus tours also featured booths that allowed students chances to ask questions to CSCC advisors and read information about different programs offered.
“They gave me different insights for different majors, so if I wanted to do something else other than business, I have some really good information,” Allen said.
CCS students from nearly 20 schools visited the campus over the week to get information about Columbus Promise. Tour guides showed students around campus locations and explained the flow of college life.
“The idea was to get them on campus early. When we get them out here before attending, they can meet faculty and staff and get the feel that Columbus State is a real college just like any other four-year university; a two-year college has the same programs and opportunities,” Lawrence said.
CCS seniors will return to Columbus State in May for another transition day, where they’ll participate in intentional conversations about career choices and programs offered at the college.
To learn more about the Columbus Promise Scholarship Program and its impact in Columbus City Schools, visit cbuspromise.com.