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Presbyterian College
(Clinton, SC)
Communities
Helping, Assisting,
and Motivating Promising Students
Summary
Begun in Laurens County, South Carolina, in July 1995 with 30 rising seventh
graders, five teachers, six mentors/counselors, a director, and two staff
assistants, the Communities Helping, Assisting, and Motivating Promising
Students (CHAMPS) program is fulfilling its clear vision of motivating
economically challenged Laurens’ County students to reach their
highest education potential through the collaborative efforts of the Laurens
County community, Presbyterian College, and local school districts.
The Practice
The CHAMPS program represents a partnership between Presbyterian College
and the community. Since its inception, 30 new students have been carefully
selected annually to enter the program with a six-year commitment. Students
are chosen for the program on the basis of low family income levels, teacher
references, and family interviews. The program draws students from middle
schools in Laurens County, South Carolina.
The CHAMPS curriculum is divided into three major phases: (1) four years
of a two-week, on-campus, residential curriculum focused on the humanities,
fine arts, sciences, character education and computer training beginning
with sixth grade students; (2) CHAMPS’ LINKS—Local Interests
and Neighbors Helping Kids Succeed, offering after-school tutoring; (3)
and two years of off-campus internship curriculum. After the completion
of the residential program, follow-up activities are conducted with the
students and their parents/guardians one Saturday a month until grade
10. During the summers before their 11th and 12th grades, the students
are assisted in gaining internship opportunities in area businesses to
give them a sense of responsibility and independence. A portion of their
earnings is saved toward the students’ higher education expenses.
Presbyterian students and student organizations are engaged with CHAMPS
in mentoring and counseling activities, tutoring activities, little brother/little
sister programs, and joint service-learning projects. Master teachers
from the Presbyterian College faculty and the local community, aided by
Presbyterian College students, teach CHAMPS students during the summer
focusing on academic, social, and academic-support activities.
Parents are organized through the Parents’ Council, which meets
monthly (and once a year for an extended planning retreat and training)
to strategize, advise, and collaborate on the status and future of CHAMPS.
Parents join their children on field trips, academic workshops, service
projects and cultural activities. Increasingly, the parents become resources
for other families with at-risk children, for the community at large and
the college. Under the Parents’ Council, CHAMPS has developed the
Fathers’ Council, a group of men who meet once a month to study
fatherhood and the impact of father absenteeism on the family.
Effectiveness
Fruitful collaboration between Presbyterian College and the Laurens County
community is successfully demonstrated through CHAMPS. Data to date show
that the relationship between the college students and the CHAMPS students
is invaluable for both. The relationship provides undergraduates with
a depth and level of student interaction that is seldom attained in their
normal curriculum. The CHAMPS students feel comfortable in the college
atmosphere, thereby increasing the likelihood that they will pursue a
college education.
Since 2001, when the first group graduated from high school, both the
rate of high school graduation and successful entry into college for CHAMPS
students has increased. For those students who have had to move during
their six years, we have had a number of success stories, indicating that
the program is influencing these students in positive ways. Today, over
270 students and their families continually express their gratitude for
the way the program has touched their lives.
Resources
http://www.presby.edu/visit/champs/Laurens.htm
http://www.presby.edu/visit/champs/East.htm
http://www.aecf.org
Contact Information
Mr. Jerman Disasa, Director of Special Programs
503 South Broad Street
Clinton, SC 29325
864-833-8377
nadisasa@presby.edu
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