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PSEO Outreach mission

The overall mission of the PSEO Outreach program is to increase the number and diversity of Minnesota students who are fully prepared for college by increasing high school students’ awareness of—and access to—postsecondary education options in high school.

Research has shown that students who complete college coursework while in high school are more likely to enroll in—and be successful in—college. Unfortunately, enrollment analyses show that students of color, low-income students, and English Language Learners are significantly under-represented in Minnesota’s PSEO program. Furthermore, information about the program is lacking in most communities (Nathan et al, 2005)1. By increasing the number of minority high school students who successfully complete PSEO, we can ultimately increase the diversity of students who enroll and are successful in post-secondary education programs in Minnesota.

Goals

The PSEO Outreach is guided by four broad goals:

  1. Create new public-private partnerships to expand PSEO information available to low income families, families of color, and families who have no prior college experience.
  2. Increase awareness of post-secondary enrollment opportunities/college prep initiatives among Minnesota high school students who are the first in their family to plan for college.
  3. Increase the number and percent of first generation college applicants who participate in some form of post-secondary preparation opportunity while in high school.
  4. Increase the number and percent of students fully prepared for college when they graduate from high school.

1. Nathan, J., Accomando, L., & Hare, D. (2005) Stretching minds and resources: 20 years of post secondary enrollment options in Minnesota. Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota.

PSEO Communications Council

The PSEO Communications Council is comprised of current and former students who want to spread the word about taking advantage of post-secondary education options in the hopes that they can play a part in helping ensure more students get the chance to have experiences of similar scope and quality.

Aharon Miencha

Aharon Miencha is a 12th grader in Interdistrict Downtown School. He has taken PSEO classes at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities such as English Composition, American Studies, Comparative Literature, Political Science, and Calculus. His Postsecondary/career goal is to complete an as-of-yet undetermined major at Hamline University. Readers should know that Aharon is an open-minded individual and believes that everyone has an opinion based on their own perspective. His message, “I'd like for people to look at everyone's PSEO experiences with an open mind on how it benefit them most.”

Catalina Nguyen

Catalina Nguyen is a junior at Apple Valley High School in Apple Valley, Minnesota. She has taken PSEO courses in Spanish and pharmacy at the University of Minnesota. Her academic goal is pursue a degree in Pharmacy.

Readers should know that Catalina loves science and history. She speaks three languages fluently: Spanish, Vietnamese and English. She also enjoys painting, singing and dancing.

Chris Fredregill

Chris Fredregill is currently a senior at Woodbury Sr. High School. He has taken several PSEO math courses, Italian and Psychology. Chris’s goal is to obtain a B.S in Mathematics with an Actuarial emphasis and possibly attend graduate school in a math related program.

Readers should know that Chris loves math as well as playing drums. He also likes to practice his Italian and Spanish.

Erik Sarkinen

Erik Sarkinen is a junior at Rockford High School and is taking fulltime PSEO courses at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities campus. He has already taken PSEO courses in physics, chemistry, writing and math. Erik’s career goal is to obtain a degree in electrical engineering.

Readers should know that, in his spare time, Erik likes to play hockey and get into some dirt-biking.

Jahi Bernard

Jahi Bernard is a senior at the Inter District Downtown School in Minneapolis. He has taken PSEO courses such as History, English and Japanese at Minneapolis Community and Technical College. Jahi’s career goal is to pursue a degree in International Business and Management.

Readers should know that Jahi is going to be an exchange student in Japan next year!

Jihan Samatar

Jihan Samatar is currently a Junior at the InterDistrict Downtown School in Minneapolis. She has taken a PSEO Physics class at the University of Minnesota and plans to take more PSEO classes next year. Jihan’s PSEO goal is to complete as many college credits as she can while still in high school.

Readers should know that Jihan would like for everyone to succeed at their goals in life.

Nickolai Wilson

Nickolai Wilson is currently a junior at the Inter District Downtown School in Minneapolis. He is taking PSEO coursework in philosophy and English at Minneapolis Community and Technical College. Nickolai hopes to complete as many PSEO courses as he can at MCTC so that he is done with all the general coursework needed for college. Readers should know that Nickolai likes math and that his native language is Russian; he speaks English as a second language.

Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs

A weblog of the Center for School Change, focusing on issues of education reform for the betterment of children, young adults and the wider community.

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The views and opinions expressed in this page are strictly those of the page author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs or the University of Minnesota. The contents of this page have not been reviewed or approved by the University of Minnesota or the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs.
The views and opinions expressed in this page are strictly those of the page author. The contents of this page have not been reviewed or approved by the University of Minnesota.
The views and opinions expressed in this page are strictly those of the page author. The contents of this page have not been reviewed or approved by the University of Minnesota.