A University-Based College Access Program for Urban Middle School Students of Color

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 27
  In Roundtable Session: School/University Partnerships for Equitable College Access for Students

Abstract

This paper presents a university-based program for creating new entry points to college for urban middle school students of color. The Urban Youth Leadership Academy (ULYA) provides longitudinal support from high school admissions to college enrollment by engaging youth in leadership opportunities, community service, and college-going activities. ULYA students receive mentoring from men and women of color at each stage of the college and career pipeline who are chartering their own pathways to success. Results include a logic model outlining the program’s student-facing goals, activities, outcomes, and measures. Findings reveal the early renderings of a university partnership model for leveraging campus resources and university networks of cross-sector partners in order to launch and sustain community engagement work of this nature.

Authors

• M. Meghan Raisch, Temple University

• Juwan Z. Bennett, Temple University

• James Earl Davis, Temple University