Preparing Students for College in a Neoliberal Context: An Institutional Narrative

• In Event: Roundtable Session 30
  In Roundtable Session: Preparing for College

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to explore the institutional and philosophical evolution of a pre-college enrichment and opportunity access program. The program that we focus on serves students of poverty and students of color from urban and rural areas. The authors reflect on the past and current experiences of instructors, administrators, and professional development consultants in the program. We examine the interdependent connections between the pre-college opportunity program and the neoliberal pressures that affect day-to-day practice for the students and teachers in the program. The following question structures our inquiry: In what ways has a pre-college opportunity program absorbed and/or incorporated neoliberal pressures into its college prep program?

Authors

• Jessica Gallo, University of Montana

• Bailey Herrmann, University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh

• Mel Freitag, University of Wisconsin

• James R. Carlson, University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse