In January, the English as a Second Language Institute welcomed its spring cohort of more than 70 students with a comprehensive new student orientation. Prior to the start of spring classes, students arrived on campus for an introduction to their courses, to learn about program expectations and important resources both on and off campus, and to understand how to plan for their goals after completing the ESL program. Also invited were representatives from the Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians’ International Professionals Program. Students were connected with helpful resources, including the ESL Institute’s new on campus tutoring supports.

Each fall and spring semester, TRIO Upward Bound students get to enjoy trips to local colleges and universities. This year, the students had the opportunity to visit Haverford College and the University of the Sciences.

In November, the students traveled to Haverford College. During their visit, students were given a tour of the beautiful campus and learned that it serves as an important arboretum as well. In an information session, an admissions counselor spoke about the academically rigorous liberal arts curriculum and Haverford’s honor code, which is written and edited by its undergraduate students. The Upward Bound students even learned about the partnerships that Haverford has with other universities in the area.

On January 12, students from the Gateway to College program convened for the annual Gateway Spring Summit. During the event, they heard testimonials from honor roll students like Anisa M., who provided insight into what it truly means to be a “finisher” of the Gateway to College program. Jachai May, another Gateway participant, urged students to continue their educational journeys beyond the program. During his speech, May proudly announced that he will graduate from the College this May and attend Temple University in the spring with a major in Business.

Gateway to College (GtC) celebrated its 11th year by graduating the biggest class in Gateway’s history on May 18. Twenty-four seniors received their diplomas and celebrated this milestone with friends, family and the Gateway to College staff. Graduating seniors Douglas Brown and Alexis Andino delivered speeches, along with Mrs. Timeka Ford-Smith, Gateway director, and Dr. David Thomas. A now-permanent hashtag, #IAmAFinisher, developed by Betty Handy, Gateway’s academic coordinator, grew out of the efforts to help students stay motivated and reach their goals. The hashtag has become a theme throughout all levels of the program. Each graduate participated in a weekly senior seminar class that focused on the fundamentals of postsecondary success and completed a research project that examined their college and career choices.