Cherokee Nation Foundation partners with Oklahoma State University to host college prep program
Third annual Cherokee College Prep Institute connects students with university representatives from across the US
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Cherokee Nation Foundation recently hosted its third annual Cherokee College Prep Institute at Oklahoma State University, where more than 54 high school juniors and seniors connected with university representatives from across the nation.
The weeklong program gave students hands-on experience analyzing, preparing and completing college applications, identifying scholarship opportunities, and exploring schools of interest.
“Our goal is to help Cherokee students understand all of their options for higher education,” said Janice Randall, executive director of the Cherokee Nation Foundation. “It’s important for them to know what scholarships are available and what each university offers to help them pursue their dreams.”
The curriculum used for the institute was developed in cooperation with College Horizons, the U.S. Department of Education and the Princeton Review. The lessons focus on ACT strategies, essay writing, interview skills and time management. With a 4 to 1 student-faculty ratio, students had the opportunity to work closely with university representatives, CNF staff and high school counselors.
“CCPI encouraged me to consider more prestigious schools and helped me identify the different opportunities provided by those schools,” said Ashley Kasbohm, Cherokee student from San Antonio, Texas. “With so many scholarships available, the possibility of attending a larger university is within reach for me.”
Students stayed in traditional dorms and were encouraged to visit classrooms on campus to gain a better understanding of what college life is like. Additional activities included stickball on the library lawn and a formal banquet in the OSU student union ballroom.
This year’s participating universities included Oklahoma State University, Bacone College, North Carolina State University, Rogers State University, University of Arkansas, University of Central Oklahoma, University of Pennsylvania, Dartmouth College, Duke University, Stanford University and Yale University.
For more information, contact Cherokee Nation Foundation at (918) 207-0950 or Janice Randall at jr@cherokeenationfoundation.org.
