Students at the Center: The Role of Youth Leadership Toward Reimagining College Planning

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session 32
  In Roundtable Session: Qualitative Research Perspectives on the Roles of Students and Teachers in the Social Contexts of U.S. Public Schools

Abstract

As high school college counselor caseloads increase, they have less time for consistent one-on-one counseling to support students during college planning. Thus, for many students this process is depersonalized, focused on distributing information rather than taking a student-centered approach. Drawing on narrative research, I explore a unique program that positions young people as paid college access professionals in their school. Findings show that these students – Youth College Counselors – make college planning a more student-centered, meaningful experience for peers by grounding the work they do by student personal lives and stories. This suggests that high schools should include students as agents of change toward reimagining college planning as a more meaningful, relevant experience.

Author

• Tara Bahl, Guttman Community College - CUNY