2012-2013 Intervention Grant Recipients

For the 2012-2013 biennium, the Intervention Grant recipients are:

Seeds of Change/AAMI AVID: Concordia University's and St. Paul Central High School's Arts Literacy and College Preparation Partnership for African American Males receives $36,000
St. Paul
To ensure positive peer social and community support so that the 75 African American male students in grades 9-12 and the ten current college students advance academically, the program will provide weekly after-school meetings and daily AVID classes. During each meeting or class, the Central High School students will engage with current college students, local artists, community mentors, or staff through facilitated activities. These activities will support student completion of advanced level courses and development of postsecondary readiness through tutoring, mentoring, and social skills development. Family members will receive information on Minnesota's graduation requirements, ACT preparation, financial aid, and postsecondary transition.
Contact: Dr. Cheryl Chatman, (651) 603-6151, chatman@csp.edu

An ACT/SAT Course for At-Risk Students, University of Minnesota, receives $25,000
Minneapolis/St. Paul
This program will increase student knowledge in key content areas to better prepare them for college entrance exams. About 200 high school low-income, minority, female, and first-generation college students will receive instruction on topics assessed by college entrance exams: math, reading, writing, data representation, English, vocabulary, and reasoning. Students will also work in small groups with tutors in each of these content areas. In addition, students will attend informational sessions on course-taking, test preparation, test anxiety, and how to study; as well as sessions about college admissions, financial aid, and physical and psychological health. Students will also have the opportunity to take practice tests that are scored and returned with diagnostic information.
Contact: Dr. Ernest C. Davenport, Jr., (612) 624-1040, LQR6576@umn.edu

AchieveMpls Career and College Initiative ACT Preparation receives $15,000
Minneapolis
Up to 75 ICAP-eligible juniors and seniors from Minneapolis Public Schools will participate in ACT test preparation classes and practice tests. Through workshops, homework, and practice tests, students will gain academic skills in English, reading, writing, science, and math, and understand the scope and structure of the ACT test.
Contact: Arnise Roberson, (612) 455-1566, aroberson@achievempls.org

Enter University (EU), Minnesota State University, Mankato, receives $34,000
Mankato
High school students will participate in year-round tutoring, reading development, campus visitations with their families, career exploration, and ACT preparation. A new component, Desire to Learn (D2L), will be an opportunity for students, parents, faculty, and staff at high schools and MSU to share and monitor information. An English as a Second Language (ESL) specialist will work specifically with the ESL population during tutorials, workshops, and through D2L. In addition, a cohort of MSU first-year students will receive tutorial support.
Contact: Amy Mukamuri, (507) 389-5594, amy.mukamuri@mnsu.edu

DREAM Project Daring to Realize Excellence and Academic Motivation, The College of St. Scholastica, receives $42,000
Duluth
One hundred twenty low-income, first-generation high school students will participate in weekly academic-year tutoring to address study habits, grade improvement, and college preparatory testing (PLAN and ACT). A six-week summer residential academic enrichment program will be held for 80 students to increase skills in core subject areas and increase grade point averages. High school credit will be awarded for successful participation. Twelve high school students will participate in seven months of career exploration and college readiness preparation, along with a five-week job placement. All students will complete the Career Development Program, apply to three colleges and be accepted into at least one, and all eligible students will complete the FAFSA and apply for at least one outside scholarship.
Contact: Amy Galarowicz, (218) 723-6760, agalarow@css.edu

Maadaadizi (Start a Journey) Program, Saint Paul Public Schools, receives $30,700
St. Paul
Sixty American Indian students from Johnson, Highland, and Harding Senior High Schools will participate in career and college planning sessions with Indian Education licensed school counselors, college visits, high school course selection, PSEO application, college and financial aid application, and tutoring sessions. Grades will be monitored regularly; and parents will receive information on high school advanced courses, PSEO eligibility, and student grades from an Indian Education licensed counselor.
Contact: Kathy Denman-Wilke, (651) 293-5191, kathy.denman-wilke@spps.org

Girls Getting Ahead in Leadership (GGAL) Program, Women's Initiative for Self Empowerment (WISE), Inc. receives $32,000
St. Paul
Forty-eight junior and senior high school women from African, Asian, and Latina communities in the Twin Cities area will participate in workshops to provide information on college planning, financing, academic preparation, accessing community and education resources, studying strategies, and financial literacy, as well as career options and career explorations. In addition, there will be group activities to strengthen cross-cultural relationships and advocacy, increase the involvement of parents, provide networking opportunities with professional women, and provide individual assistance to ensure success in preparing for internships, mentorships, and college.
Contact: Dr. Wilhelmina V. Holder, (651) 646-3268, wholder@womenofwise.org

Learning Connections Developing College-Ready Writing (Coordinated with Girls Getting Ahead in Leadership, Academic Component), Learning Disabilities Association, Inc. receives $30,000
Golden Valley
In partnership with Girls Getting Ahead in Leadership, a program of Women's Initiative for Self Empowerment, Learning Disabilities Association will provide writing instruction and resources to approximately 70 students in grades 7-12 at Higher Ground Academy and LEAP Academy in St. Paul and at 20 GGAL Saturday meetings. Writing instruction and coaching will be provided within the classroom for students in grades 7-10, while students in grades 11 and 12 will receive help with the writing components necessary to complete the essays and application forms that are a key part of the college admissions process.
Contact: Arthur Dorman, (952) 582-6003, ad@ldaminnesota.org

Promoting Academic Success For Underrepresented Students, St. Cloud State University, receives $38,000
St. Cloud
Fifty 6th-12th grade underrepresented students in the St. Cloud area with risk factors for poor academic achievement will participate in intensive mentoring, academic tutoring, academic enrichment activities, cultural programming, and college admissions and financial assistance workshops and seminars. The focus of activities will be to improve the group's rate of success on state standardized tests in the areas of reading and mathematics, improve students' grades, and increase their interest and awareness of higher education options. Summer residential programs will also be used to achieve the objectives of this program.
Contact: Dr. Robert C. Johnson, (320) 308-4928, rcjohnson@stcloudstate.edu

Intensive ACT College Prep Program, Dakota County Technical College, receives $32,000
Rosemount
Dakota County Technical College Upward Bound students in grades 9-12 will participate in a structured ACT Prep program to increase their academic skills and improve their performance in rigorous college-prep courses, increase their ACT scores, and increase the likelihood that they will be admitted to and complete a postsecondary education program of study. Students will take part in weekly sessions during the academic year and will focus on skill building in math, science, reading, and writing. Technology skills and financial literacy will be woven into program activities. For the summer component, Upward Bound students will continue skill building and learn test-taking strategies. A partnership with a residential learning science program will allow students the opportunity to live with another student in a residence hall and experience college life firsthand.
Contact: Dora Schumacher, (651) 423-8463, dora.schumacher@dctc.edu

Admission Possible Twin Cities Expansion at Como Park High School in St. Paul receives $30,000
St. Paul
With program support, Admission Possible will serve at least 20 low-income juniors at Como Park High School in year one, and at least 15 seniors in year two, and guide students through the college admissions and financial aid process. Admission Possible identifies students who have the potential to succeed in college but are not likely to obtain admission to a four-year college without support. During their junior year, students will learn about the college application process, prepare for the ACT, visit college campuses and explore summer enrichment opportunities. During their senior year, students will focus on completing college and scholarship applications, filing the FAFSA, and receive advising on the transition from high school to college. Students meet twice a week for two years, totaling 320 hours on time-on-task.
Contact: Sara Dziuk, (651) 917-3525, sara@admissionpossible.org

Breakthrough Saint Paul, Mounds Park Academy, receives $45,000
St. Paul
Breakthrough Saint Paul targets St. Paul public school students with a demonstrated need for successful programming to be prepared to enter college. Middle school students will attend enrichment courses in math, English, science, and social studies for six weeks during the summer and 13 Saturdays during the school year. High school students will attend monthly college preparation workshops and will receive a laptop and complimentary internet access to complete weekly online assignments and to prepare them for the ACT/SAT. Breakthrough Saint Paul aims to get all participating students enrolling and succeeding (B or above) in honors courses during the school year and to have all seniors receive college admission with financial awards.
Contact: Emily Wingfield, (651) 748-5504, ewingfield@breakthroughsaintpaul.org

From the Ground Up: An ICAP Collaborative for Fostering Postsecondary Science Majors, Carleton College, receives $28,000
Northfield
This project will serve approximately 250 youth in Northfield and Faribault, especially middle and high school students ages 12-18 and/or students who belong to groups underrepresented in higher education. In collaboration with Northfield Public Schools, the TORCH program, and Faribault Public Schools, the project aims to use basic scientific research to improve students' understanding of science as a form of learning and knowledge, as well as equip students with the knowledge, habits of mind, and motivation required to pursue higher education. Students will visit scientists in the lab and in the field, receive academic tutoring and mentoring and college preparatory assistance, and receive guidance in completing college applications and financial aid forms.
Contact: Adrienne Falcón, (507) 222-5748, afalcon@carleton.edu

Project Scholar, Carver-Scott Educational Cooperative, receives $36,000
Chaska
One hundred twenty-five of Carver-Scott Educational Cooperative's juniors and seniors will receive a comprehensive academic and personal intake assessment and work with a case manager to receive postsecondary and career planning information. Seniors will participate in a Senior Seminar to conduct research, complete the TIES Personalized Learning Plan, and enroll in an Intro to Online Learning class. The case manager will also facilitate communication with parents and/or a support person and use a continuous learning plan to assist students in passing core academic courses necessary for graduation and enrollment in postsecondary institutions. A counselor will meet individually with students to assist with career counseling; the college selection and application process; arrange for ACT, SAT, and/or Accuplacer testing; set up college visits; and provide financial aid and Post-Secondary Enrollment Options information.
Contact: Joyce Eissinger, (952) 567-8105, jeissinger@cseced.org

Tackling Obstacles and Raising College Hopes (TORCH), Northfield Public Schools, receives $48,000
Northfield
Northfield youth in grades 6-12 who are racial/ethnic minorities, English Language Learners, low-income and/or potential first-generation college students, plus TORCH high school graduates, will participate in a comprehensive program aiming to increase these students' high school graduation and postsecondary participation rates. TORCH will include: individual academic counseling, one-on-one mentoring and tutoring, after-school homework assistance, support for transitioning to more rigorous coursework, ACT and Accuplacer test preparation, CLEP test opportunities, college orientation trips, monthly career and college workshops, career exploration and summer enrichment opportunities, help with identifying and applying to colleges, and assistance with scholarship identification and applications. In addition, the program will support TORCH graduates as they pursue postsecondary education by helping identify college support resources, identifying mentors, and conducting regular check-ins with each alumnus.
Contact: Marnie Thompson, (507) 645-3450, marnie.thompson@nfld.k12.mn.us

Transitioning & Retaining Underserved Students Through the Power of You, Saint Paul College, receives $26,145
St. Paul
This program expands outreach and support services to encourage underserved students to apply to the POY program and to participate in peer tutoring, learning communities, workshops, group advising sessions and field trips to other colleges. A summer boot camp program will focus on providing skills needed to survive and thrive in the college environment. Additional tutors will assist participants and offer both parent and student workshops for financial aid and outreach assistance. Events will be held to recognize and reward high-achieving students. Field trips will be used to increase awareness of career opportunities and possibilities for attending Metropolitan State University through the POY Bridge Scholarship or attending other four-year institutions.
Contact: Dr. Margie L. Tomsic, (651) 846-1316, margie.tomsic@saintpaul.edu

Upward Bound/ICAP, Lake Superior College, receives $40,000
Duluth
ICAP funding will allow Upward Bound to enhance and expand its work with high school students in the Duluth metropolitan area who are from low-income backgrounds and/or may be potential first-generation college students. Students will participate in career awareness and exploration sessions including assessments, planning for postsecondary education, and opportunities for summer internships or career mentoring. In addition, students will enroll in at least one college preparatory course each year and participate in tutoring, financial aid workshops, and advising during their senior year. The Upward Bound Summer Program will offer enrichment classes in core subjects; campus visits; career exploration; and cultural, social, and recreational activities.
Contact: Carol Johnson, (218) 733-7673, c.johnson@lsc.edu

Bemidji State University Upward Bound/Intervention for College Attendance Project receives $32,445
Bemidji
This project will serve 94 low-income and/or potential first-generation college students in grades 9 12 from five rural, northwest Minnesota counties. The Upward Bound/ICAP project will provide ongoing academic year interventions and a six-week residential summer component in order to improve students' academic performance, identify career paths of interest, and increase high school graduation and college enrollment rates. Throughout the school year, students will receive tutoring, academic advising, mentoring, college visits, and back-to-campus workshops. Workshops will include such topics as career exploration, study skills, review for the Minnesota Comprehensive test, service-learning, financial aid, and all-day ACT preparation. The summer component will focus on supplemental academic instruction in math, literature and composition, science, and foreign languages.
Contact: Kelli Steggall, (218) 755-2504, ksteggall@bemidjistate.edu

Project ELY (Empowerment through Learning for Youth), Ely Community Resource, Inc., receives $20,000
Ely
Fifty-five Ely, Babbitt and Tower-Soudan-Cook School District youth in grades 6-12 will participate in activities and programming that will increase college access and the potential for success for students from low income backgrounds and/or may be potential first-generation college students. Homework Help is a daily after-school tutoring and homework help program for teacher- and parent-referred students. A November Career Fair with Vermillion Community College offers interactive presentations on several areas of study, a fall bus tour of colleges for seniors, and a spring bus tour for juniors to support the college planning process. In the spring, students will participate in an MCA Test Prep Day and another ACT Test Prep Day with a professional facilitator.
Contact: Julie Hignell, (218) 365-5254, julie@elycommunityresource.org