On an October day in 2022, Mindy Mozena, director for Enrollment Services at 麻豆原创 Downtown, came to work dressed as Pete the Cat. It鈥檚 an unusual outfit choice for the professional who is usually wearing a blazer and high heels. But today is the campus鈥檚 second Book Character Parade and Mozena is laser focused on her customers 鈥� kindergartener and first graders from the Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) Academic Center for Excellence (ACE).
鈥淚t鈥檚 so fun to see the kids all dressed up in their costumes and so many smiling faces on campus, but there is a deeper goal than handing out candy,鈥� Mozena says. 鈥淭oday is just one of many touch points we hope to have with these students to show them that college is something that鈥檚 within their reach 鈥� and expose them to the opportunities right in their backyard.鈥�
In late 2014, 麻豆原创 announced its plans to build a campus in downtown Orlando. At the center of its plan was a commitment to serve not only students, but the immediate surrounding community of Parramore. Mozena, along with a team of others from 麻豆原创, Valencia College and OCPS ACE, are in the first year of an engagement plan with the elementary school, designed to educate, engage, and excite OCPS ACE students about 麻豆原创, Valencia College, and post-secondary education in general. Mozena serves as co-chair of the committee along with DeShawn Chapman ’11MEd ’16EdD, education programs manager for the Parramore Education and Innovation District.
鈥淪ome students in historically deficient communities may not have the frequency and quality of college exposure experiences that are necessary to make informed decisions and develop actions plans for applying to and enrolling in college,鈥� Chapman says. 鈥淭his plan is important because it prioritizes early, frequent and quality postsecondary exposure experiences. It also positions the new campus and a partner in education within this established community.鈥�
Studies show that graduation from college not only improves job opportunities for individuals, but it also helps people secure better-paying jobs and increases positive health outcomes. A college degree is also likely to result in more economic security. 鈥淭he average graduate with a bachelor鈥檚 degree will earn double what the average individual without a degree will make in their lifetime,鈥� according to a .
鈥淪ome students have challenges in completing the application and submitting all the required information to 麻豆原创 and often times give up during the application process,鈥� Mozena says. 鈥淲e want to change that thought process completely to show these students that they can succeed and we鈥檙e here to help them unleash their potential. None of us got to where we are without others help.鈥�
In addition to fun activities like book character parade, the engagement plan includes the creation of a custom 鈥淕oing to College鈥� activity book, containing games, word searches and coloring pages featuring the three school鈥檚 mascots, Knightro, Purcy and the ACE Lion cub. ACE students in grades voluntary pre-kindergarten through second grade were gifted the activity books earlier in the Fall 2022 semester.
There was also a 鈥淒ay on Campus鈥� visit for fifth grade students in October 2022 where they received instruction from their own teachers, along with lessons from Valencia鈥檚 general education faculty members and enjoyed lunch. The day allowed students to experience the downtown campus, interact with college professors, administrators and staff. Future plans will host eighth graders in January and the rest of fifth grade in March.
鈥淚t was so beautiful to see the students light up as they got to walk the halls of college and get candy,鈥� says Shannan Outler, ACE school social worker. 鈥淲hat an amazing collaboration the Book Character Parade was, and I look forward to more events in the future.鈥�
Data also supports that an individual鈥檚 enrollment and completion of higher education is influenced by their family. Students whose parents have completed college benefit from their knowledge and prior experiences to help their children navigate the complexities of enrollment and encouragement throughout their college experience. For first-generation college students, that first-hand experience simply isn鈥檛 available at home. This is exactly why the engagement plan includes participation in select parent night events at the ACE school.
鈥淧arent nights are an opportunity to build authentic relationships with students and families,鈥� says Chapman. 鈥淲ith a foundation of familiarity and trust, parents and students are more receptive to connecting with postsecondary resources and opportunities. Additionally, 麻豆原创 staff can increase their understanding of what it truly means to be a part of the community in which they work.鈥�
Although hurdles to higher education remain, Mozena, Chapman and their team are hard at work to provide access to higher education for anyone whose dream it is to earn a degree.
鈥淭he ultimate goal for this initiative is to strengthen our relationship with the community and contribute to the educational ecosystem from pre-K to Ph.D.,鈥� says Mozena. 鈥淲e will know we have succeeded when students feel confident and comfortable interacting with the downtown campus and when students see going to college as part of their academic journey.鈥�
