| Event | Date | Info | Status |
| Phase I | April - Aug. 07 | Diagnosing the Problem, Issue, Opportunity | COMPLETE |
| Phase II | Sept. 07 - April 2008 | Making It Happen | COMPLETE |
| Phase III | May - Sept. 2008 | Creating the Future |
News:
We've been very busy here at Gardner-Webb with the YMCA Collegiate Achievers Pilot Project. Over the past few weeks we've formed our Learning Community and had our first meeting with them, we also met with Dean's Council (a group that includes the Dean of Students, Bruce Moore and all involved in the student development division), and we met with the President of Gardner-Webb, Dr. A. Frank Bonner. We will be meeting with Senior Staff (all of the University's Vice Presidents, Provost, etc.) soon, along with the Retention and Recruitment Committee, and the Enrollment Managament Team. Gardner-Webb is hearing our research and everyone is very receptive and excited about the work we have done. As Randi said in one of our presentations "...we want to help make Gardner-Webb the best Gardner-Webb it can be!"
By funding the YMCA Collegiate Achievers Pilot Project, the YMCA and Lumina Foundation for Education have decided that college success for low income, first generation and minority students is a priority. As YMCA Collegiate Achievers, college students serve as leaders for action research projects designed to promote college success. Through action research we will be able to build bridges between high school and college students as well as bridge gaps between colleges and community-based organizations. As leaders, YMCA Collegiate Achievers have the opportunity to learn more about themselves, colleges, careers, communities and the YMCA.
Most of the research about college success has been done by professional researchers with college students, families and communities as passive subjects. The Collegiate Achievers project gives college students the chance to take the lead. With assistance and support from local YMCA internship supervisors and YMCA of the USA staff, college interns will be responsible for designing and conducting the action research process.
INTERN PROFILES
Tyler McCall Pisgah Forest, North Carolina |
Randi Gill-Sadler Charlotte, North Carolina |
Tyler McCall is a freshman Psychology major and YMCA Professional Studies minor from Pisgah Forest, North Carolina. He plans to work in the non-profit setting after graduating from GWU and attending graduate school. At Gardner-Webb he is part of the GWU Student YMCA, a REACH Leader, an active participant in Campus Ministries United activities and programs, and a member of the Student Admissions Association. Tyler is part of the honors program and an Academic Fellow. He is a trained facilitator, through training offered by the Center for Dialogue in Brevard, North Carolina, and has experience in dialogue, study circles, and discussion through his work with Transylvania County Youth Speak, Mix It Up, Tolerance.org, Teaching Tolerance Magazine, and the Southern Poverty Law Center in Montgomery, Alabama. |
Randi Gill-Sadler is a native of Charlotte, N.C. and a freshman at Gardner-Webb University. She plans to major in journalism and write for a nationally syndicated magazine. In her spare time, Randi enjoys reading, writing, dancing, sports, and hanging out with her friends. During her short time at Gardner-Webb, Randi has participated in the Miss GWU Pageant (where she was named Miss Congeniality), intramural basketball, and Student Government. Randi is looking forward to working with the Student YMCA at Gardner- Webb through the Collegiate Achievers Internship and is very excited about the opportunity to impact the lives of youth for the better. |
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