The following conversation with Dr. Tony Allen, president of Delaware State University, was adapted from a Kaplan webinar. In it, he shares how the university is accomplishing its vision of access for all.
When asked how Delaware State University is infusing career readiness into the student experience, Dr. Allen says, "At Delaware State, we're doing a couple of things. First, we're deepening the talent pipeline. It's very important that you start early, particularly for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. At Delaware State, we have an early college school. It's a school we chartered about nine years ago that starts in the seventh grade and students stay with us through the twelfth grade. When they’re in high school, they can earn up to 60 college credits before they're ever admitted into any university."
He adds, "We respect career readiness and that's an important piece for us too. I tell companies a lot it is not acceptable for you to come see our students in their rising junior and rising senior year in the same way. Many of my students are first-generation college students."
Last year, Delaware State University signed up for Kaplan's award-winning All Access license, which provides all of the school's undergraduate students with free test prep courses for graduate-level admissions exams, including the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, and MCAT. This partnership builds upon Delaware State’s focus on affordability, graduation, retention, economic mobility, and innovation.
"Our University's vision is to be the most substantively diverse, contemporary and unapologetic HBCU in the country. Central to that vision is equitable access for our students, particularly those who are first generation and/or from low-resource communities. Our earnest belief is that there should be no barrier to the pursuit of their dreams, financial or otherwise,” said Dr. Allen, at the time of the partnership announcement. “Kaplan’s All Access is not just good for our students and their preparedness in professional and necessarily licensed disciplines, but it also reflects a commitment to a more inclusive, connected global community in every field of human endeavor."
For more of the interview, click the link.
Academic Advisor—Healthcare and emergency professions pathway at Portland Community College
4moGreat sentiments—let me add that emphasizing and encouraging students to pursue and complete career technical degrees at two year colleges is also beneficial