FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The University of Arkansas Office of Pre-College Programs was recently awarded two TRIO Educational Talent Search grant awards from the United States Department of Education.

Both awards will bring in a total of $3 million dollars to the University and will support its Educational Talent Search programming for a five-year period beginning September 2002. The Department of Education also placed special recognition upon the University by ranking its award-winning proposals among the top 10% submitted nationwide.

Educational Talent Search (ETS) is an early intervention project that equips 6-12 grade students with the skills and motivation necessary to successfully complete a baccalaureate degree. The program emphasizes personal/career development, technological/academic skills, ACT readiness, and college preparatory workshops to help students meet their college entry goals. Educational Talent Search currently serves 1200 students and offers summer enrichment and campus based events to support learning opportunities throughout the year.

Through these grants, the Office of Pre-College Programs will establish College Project, a new program designed to extend the University’s Talent Search services to nearby Native American students in the Fort Smith and Cedarville Public Schools in Arkansas, as well as the Sequoyah High School in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

"The grant awards will provide vital resources to continue the important efforts of the Educational Talent Search Program, which has been hosted at the University of Arkansas since 1991," said Shauna Sterling, Executive Director of Pre-College Programs. "Both programs will provide a full-range of outreach services to identify students with the motivation and potential for post-secondary education and ultimately prepare them for college entry and graduation."

The Office of Pre-College Programs consists of six programs serving students with interest and potential for success in programs of post-secondary education. These programs are the Academy for Mathematics and Sciences, Educational Talent Search, College Project, Upward Bound, Veterans Upward Bound, and Youth Opportunities Unlimited. The mission of Pre-College Programs is to identify, challenge, and enrich perspective college students for the purpose of engaging them in services that will result in academic and personal preparedness for rigors of the university environment as ultimately we prepare them to graduate and become visionary leaders who have the knowledge and skills to effectively address the challenges of the new millennium.

The Office of Pre-College Programs is a department within the University of Arkansas’ Division of Student Affairs