Presentation U! Tutors Prepare High School Students for College Life

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 11, 2015) — Presentation U! is pleased to announce its partnership with Jessamine Career & Technology Center (JCTC) for the Spring 2015 semester. Nine undergraduate Presentation U! tutors will serve as post-secondary transition specialists (PSTS) for 17 JCTC students over the course of the semester. This relationship will provide JCTC students the opportunity to be introduced to life as an undergraduate student at the University of Kentucky in an intimate way, led by a current student. 

Tutors first met with their assigned small group of students Feb. 9 at the JCTC Kickoff event. This kick-off provided the opportunity for JCTC students and PSTS to begin discussions on tips for success in college, and plan how they want to accomplish tasks this semester.

The arrangement consists of specialists taking JCTC students to one class, participating in a campus tour, completing a service learning project together, engage in ongoing discussions about transitioning from high school to college, and completing a 10 minute presentation (specialists will lead and plan the presentation) highlighting their experiences over the course of the semester.

The guest speaker at the kick-off event was Chance Davenport, former PSTS, who spoke passionately about how his opportunity to work with JCTC students impacted his graduate work. Davenport also provided insights on what students can expect from this program and what mentoring means to him.

Transitioning from high school to college is an incredibly challenging and intimidating transformation students must undergo. A partnership such as this one is designed to better prepare students for that transition and reduce their levels of uncertainty as they take on their new role as college students. Additionally, developing relationships with on-campus individuals prior to entering college increases the likelihood that high school students will become successful college students. It is the hope of JCTC and Presentation U! that this partnership will lead to greater post-secondary student success.

Presentation U!, part of UK’s Quality Enhancement Plan (a component of the requirements for SACS accreditation), is housed within Transformative Learning in the division of Undergraduate Education. Transformative Learning comprises Presentation U!, Academic Enhancement, and Social Enterprise & Innovation/Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP) certificate program. The programs work together to enhance student success (retention and graduation).

MEDIA CONTACT: Jenny Wells, 859-257-5343; jenny.wells@uky.edu