High School Seniors to Sample College Life 101

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — High school seniors and their families will be introduced to UA college life in a daylong series of workshops on Saturday, November 3. Sponsored by the College of Education and Health Professions and the university’s Enrollment Services, College Life 101 is expected to involve about 150 students and family members from Arkansas and surrounding states.

"We are excited that so many high school seniors are interested in the College of Education and Health Professions," said Gigi Secuban, director of minority services and student affairs for the college and coordinator for College Life 101. "We hope that spending a day on campus and meeting faculty and current students will encourage them to pursue the challenge of careers in health and education."

Secuban said this is the first time the college has hosted College Life 101. In addition to acquainting the prospective students with the nuts and bolts of applying for admission, financial aid and student housing, experienced faculty members will offer parents insight into the academic and social adjustments common to first-year students. Current students with education or health majors will meet one-on-one with the prospective students to answer their questions about what college life is really like.

The day’s schedule takes full advantage of the mild fall weather on the U of A campus. The day begins with an organized run through campus for those who bring their running shoes. At mid-day, lunch will be served on the Old Main lawn, followed by a historic walking tour of central campus conducted by UA students.

In addition to the on-campus workshops, advisors and students from the College of Education and Health Professions will visit high schools throughout Northwest Arkansas during the month of November to conduct senior seminars aimed at acquainting prospective students with the health and education programs available at the university.

"We hear so much about the need for more teachers, nurses and other health professionals," Secuban said, "but many high school students aren’t aware of the variety of exciting careers available to our graduates."

Secuban explained that the visits to area schools are an opportunity for high school students to talk with college students about the realities of college life. University staff will also be on hand to walk students through the application process, Secuban said.

The high school outreach schedule includes visits to Fayetteville and Prairie Grove on November 5, Bentonville on November 6, Siloam Springs on November 8, Farmington on November 9, and Rogers on November 13.