The Center for Intercultural Learning and Community Engagement’s Early College Awareness (ECA) program is seeking UST student volunteers to work with visiting youth when they are on campus to learn about college.

ECA works with local schools to host campus visits and give off-site presentations to help demystify the college experience for students in fourth through eighth grade. Most visiting youth will eventually be the first in their families to attend college and are from diverse and low-income backgrounds.

One hands-on activity of the Early College Awareness program looks at sensory persception.

The ECA program staff and student coordinators will create developmentally appropriate hands-on activities such as College Jeopardy, College Mad Libs, and a college simulation to show the youth what college is all about. A typical visit includes a general college introductory activity, a mock class or college simulation, lunch and a mini tour of campus.

While ECA student coordinators work behind the scenes with staff to develop and run the program, volunteers are needed to help lead activities, hang out with the youth at lunch and lead mini-tours of campus. Each volunteer is guaranteed 10 hours of community service by helping at three visits. (There is an option to choose to help at more visits.) These hours can count toward club requirements, Business 200, and other requirements.

Requirements

• Be available for at least two hours between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. (convo hour is not enough by itself) on Tuesdays and Thursdays
• Attend Training on Sunday, Feb. 19; Reflection on Thursday, March 29; and Final Celebration on Friday, May 11
• Be excited about working with the community and talking to kids about college and your experiences

To apply, fill out an application and turn it in at the CILCE Center by Monday, Feb. 13. An application is available online here, and for pickup at three locations:

1. CILCE in Room 153, Murray-Herrick Campus Center
2. Diversity and Inclusion Services in Room 224, Anderson Student Center
3. Dean of Students office in Room 241, Anderson Student Center

For more information email ECA or call program director Katie Hunt, (651) 962-6801.