The First African Methodist Episcopal Church (First AME) recently staged its first-ever College Expo at its facility in the Mid-City section of Los Angeles, where the effort dovetailed with the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama's stated goal of reviving excellence in higher education throughout the country.
Faith-based organization such as First AME are often a key link in efforts to reach young members of ethnic groups, and the church invited teens and their parents to attend the eight-hour College Expo on October 17.
The event provided information on colleges as well as financial aid, with entertainment that included a step show as well as contests and prizes for attendees. The theme of education remained on center stage, though, with representatives from Art Center College of Design, Azusa Pacific University, Boston University, California State University-Long Beach, California State University-Dominguez Hills, Howard University, Los Angeles Trade-Technical College, Los Angeles Southwest College, Loyola Marymount University, Morehouse College, Pomona College, University of Southern California, Whittier College and the Ivy West test preparation firm all on hand.
Valerie Sparks, education recruitment chair for Howard University (HU), said that 12% of the undergraduate students at the historically black campus in Washington, D.C., hail from the West Coast. While enrollments are down at historically black colleges, Sparks says they are doing well at HU.
Melain McIntosh of Los Angeles Trade-Tech said that enrollment at the two-year junior college are through the roof, including many students who have lost jobs and returned to school for training in new careers.
And, she added, "if a student cannot afford the tuition, there are fee waivers available to qualified students."
Despite the spike in enrollments at some colleges, representatives of other campuses are concerned about class availability and overcrowded lecture halls as recent cuts in the state's budget have led to faculty furloughs.
"Students are finding it hard to locate classes and faculty must take nine furlough days during the semester," said Christina Mann, a student assistant for outreach and information services at Cal State-Dominguez Hills. "Other students have gone to nearby colleges, hoping to enroll in courses there."
Some prospective college students who visited the expo participated with parents in a panel discussion that focused on the transition from high school to college. Drawing from her experiences, Yvette Frison said that she wanted to pass on information about her son, who started college in Oklahoma last year. Her son received a scholarship, but when he arrived at the college, the scholarship fell through. Because Frison had applied for financial aid for her son, he was able to remain at the college to pursue his academic goals. She urged all of the parents at the expo to apply for financial aid and loans.
Martinique Belgarde, who is in charge of media and technical services for First AME, started the College Expo as a way to connect students to the college recruitment process — and directly to college admission representatives.
Belgarde said she hopes to make it an annual event.
"I was raised at First AME and wanted to share valuable information about attending college with students in our neighborhood," she said.
Belgrade spent much of the day of the expo encouraging students to stop by each booth and speak with the college representatives. She also stressed the importance about knowing more about admissions, financial aid, and testing requirements to get into college.
Belgarde's work with First AME complements her full-time job at Verbum Dei High School in South Los Angeles, where she serves as director of college guidance. She holds a four year degree in communication studies from Loyola Marymount University, and a masters from the University of Southern California.
The mostly African-American students from local high schools who attended were excited about the possibilities of attending college to pursue their dreams.
Nya Edwards, who currently attends Dorsey High School, said she wants to study psychology. She arrived at the expo uncertain about where she might attend college. She said she was happy to be there to learn more about the recruitment process and funds available.
Drena Pavon attends Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach. She said she hopes to go on to a fashion design college. So does Renae McCollum, who attends Culver City High School and brought hand-drawn designs of gowns and blouses to show to recruiters at the expo.
Belgarde said she is looking ahead to next years' event and hopes that by continuing with the college expo this will help to increase college enrollment in minority communities.
Sheannette Virtue is a writer for Carib Press.
Photos by Carib Press
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