Nottingham Students Inspired through Toward College Program

In a classroom after school, Nottingham students sat attentively, engaging in discussions about Music of the Caribbean, Cinema in Spanish, Rosario Ferre and Puerto Rican Culture, Immigration, Resistance, and Empowerment in the Latino Community, and Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz and the Rights of Women.
 
Led by professors from Le Moyne College, Colgate University, Hamilton College, and Hobart and William Smith Colleges, these workshops were part of the Toward College program. Created by Colgate professors Fred Luciani and Lourdes Rojas, Toward College/Talleres Culturales was designed to support high school students who are interested in exploring cultural identity while pursuing options for higher education.
 
“I really want to go to college,” senior Adriano Ojeda said. “This program taught me a lot about college… and other interesting things! I’m interested in studying Business Administration, and this is the first time I’ve really thought actively about college.”
 
Every two weeks, a professor would come to Nottingham to lead a workshop – speaking primarily in Spanish. For one session, the students enjoyed a field trip to Colgate, where they enjoyed a campus tour and sat in on classes.
 
“I liked this program because everyone here was paying attention,” Nottingham junior Johasmerly Espinal shared. “It helped me see what college will be like. I wasn’t sure it was for me before, but now I’m thinking about it. It was so nice that they were speaking in my language – it made me really enjoy the classes.”
 
In addition to the workshop topics, students learned about the Seal of Biliteracy and how they could possibly use some of the Toward College workshops and experiences to help them complete the Seal their senior year.
 
“The hope is to expose these students to what the college experience will be like – in a discussion-based way, and in their native language,” Nottingham English as a New Language teacher – and Toward College advisor – Faruk Latifovic explained. “I can see an improvement already in the students’ accountability as a result of participating. They are doing better in their classes, and they see that going to college is something they can do – it’s becoming attainable for them.”
 
“I want to be a lawyer or serve in the military one day,” sophomore Reyna Benavidez added. “This has inspired me. Seeing people who are immigrants themselves who are now college professors… it helps me see that I could do that, too.”
 
This year, the pilot program was offered to seven Nottingham students; next year, the hope is for the program to expand to include students from other SCSD high schools as well. We can’t wait for this program to inspire even more students!