Promise Corps partnered with GEAR UP to kick off the month of November with a visit to Lincoln University’s Open House. All four Promise Corps schools (High School of the Future, Overbrook High School, Sayre High School, and West Philadelphia High School) were in attendance for this event. Students and chaperones gathered first thing in the morning to load the bus. From High School of the Future went 38 seniors, Promise Corps College and Career Coaches Alexis, Antaneyah, Leigh, and Jared, and senior sponsor Ms. Snipes to Lincoln University, Pennsylvania in southern Chester County for the visit.

We began at Lincoln University’s International Cultural Center for the Welcome Ceremony where the student government and university administrators introduced themselves and gave an overview of what the university has to offer. This was followed by a campus-wide tour where we visited the Langston Hughes Memorial Library as well as some classroom buildings. Our tour guides told us about housing, academics, and student life at Lincoln University. We then attended the Campus Exhibit at the Student Union Building where student clubs, athletics, and academic departments displayed informational tables for our students where representatives discussed their programs with prospective students. We then visited the Wellness Center to eat lunch and watch a fashion show hosted by Lincoln University students. We ended our day with the Student Showcase at Manuel Rivero Hall where we watched performances from the band, cheerleaders, fraternities, and sororities. Several of our students received acceptances from Lincoln University for the 2020-2021 academic year! Around 5pm our bus returned to High School of the Future and everyone went off to enjoy the rest of the weekend. The students really enjoyed our day at the United States’ first Historically Black College and University.

Our first college trip to Lincoln University was a success. All the students were very involved and excited to be there. Our team managed forty kids from 9am to 5pm. We have been pushing our students to complete their FSA ID, personal statements, and applying to colleges. We also held a FAFSA pop-up here at School of the Future featuring Overbrook High School, Sayre High School, and West High School. We provided parents and students with pizza and drinks. We also did raffles to win movie tickets and Promise Corps swag bags! So far, our students have been on top with their requirements and us helping them meet those goals. If our room becomes busy, as a team we all chip in and work with two or more students per coach. We have a specific relax/chill music playing for them when they come in to work. We always make sure that they sign-in and get a slip from their class before coming in. Our upcoming events are two college trips, Shippensburg University and Delaware State University. School of the Future will be hosting an In-House college fair for the students. So far, our experience at SOF has been well. The faculty and principal loves having us on board with our college and career readiness agenda.

Jared Brooks – College and Career Coach at School of the Future