Westfield

Westfield 8th-graders get a taste of college at Westfield State

WESTFIELD – Westfield State University will welcome eighth grade students from North Middle School for its sixth annual College 101 program. North Middle School will collaborate with members of the Westfield State University Advancement and University Relations internship program coordinated by Ken Magarian, director of Advancement and University Relations, and student Sabrina Farley ’15 of Westwood, Mass.
North Middle School students will be split into four groups and visit the university four different times: Monday, April 13, Tuesday, April 15, Friday, April 17, and Monday, April 27.
Created 2010, the College 101 program is aimed to allow the average 14-year-old student the opportunity to see college from an age-appropriate point of view. The visiting middle school students will have the opportunity to ask their tour leaders questions about the typical college experience.
“I look forward to seeing the students’ enthusiasm once they get to the university campus,” Farley said. “It’s an opportunity for them to learn about college first hand by students who are currently experiencing it.”
This program is designed introduce the idea of attending college to students and to enable the eighth graders to experience a day of college the life. The students will learn about clubs on campus and opportunities outside of the classroom as well. Westfield State faculty, staff and interns will take groups of students around the campus for an academic tour, visit a residence hall room, and have lunch in the dining commons.
Students will participate in a science lab, sit through a mini lecture from a Westfield State professor, and attend an International Programs presentation where they will hear from local students who have studied abroad and international students from Poland and China who are currently studying at Westfield State.
Max Saito, associate professor of communication, will give a mini lecture to the eighth students and he hopes the entire College 101 event motivates them to consider pursuing higher education.
“I would like them to be inspired by learning about subjects packed with wisdom and ideas, which might take a lifelong process to realize unless they come to college,” Saito said.
Saito said teachers play a crucial role in students’ lives, particularly when students consider college, and he hopes College 101 reaffirms that role.
“The event is a great opportunity for the accompanying teachers and their students to reaffirm a sense of togetherness as a learning community,” Saito said.
Students will arrive on campus at 9:15 a.m. and leave at 1:30 p.m. For more information on College 101, contact Ken Magarian at 513-572-5406.

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