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April 10, 2007
Texas Tech Gives Youngsters an "EDGE"
Helping students achieve the dream of higher education.
Written by Jamie Eveler
Kindergarten students from LaMesa Elementary in Plainview enjoy lunch in a Texas Tech dining hall during their EDGE campus experience.
Texas Tech University is encouraging young students to seek the dream of a higher education.
The Office of Admissions’ outreach program EDGE – Encouraging Dreams of Getting an Education – provides encouragement and support for students in pre-kindergarten through 10th grade to continue their education beyond high school. Information and attention received through EDGE provides builds the confidence needed to succeed in middle school, high school and college.
A main objective of the program is for young students to have the mind-set of “When I go to college,” not “If I go to college.”
Resources provided by the “College for Texans and Education: Go Get It” campaign and partnerships with other campus departments are leveraged to increase access to EDGE programs and services.
Staff participation in local, state and national events such as the Lubbock Education Summit, Back to School Fiesta and the Texas P-16 Conference ensures that Texas Tech is providing the most updated and relevant information to young students and their families.
A goal of the EDGE program is to encourage families to start thinking about academic preparation, financial aid, standardized testing and other college preparation steps.
“We want to plant the seed of education and college at an earlier age and let students know that education is truly possible,” says Marlene Hernandez, associate director of admissions and director of EDGE Outreach Program.
Thousands of future Red Raiders, along with their parents and teachers, visited the Texas Tech last year to participate in the EDGE experience.
Each year, thousands of potential Red Raiders are exposed to Texas Tech’s tradition, culture and spirit through an EDGE experience. Groups choose from several campus visit options. In addition, an EDGE representative visit individual schools to reach out to students unable to travel to Texas Tech, .
“I thoroughly love promoting education to younger students,” says Hernandez. “I understand what first generation students need because I am one. I enjoy telling students they can accomplish anything they want because I believe they can .”
For EDGE accommodations and schedules please contact Marlene Hernandez in the Office of Admissions at 806-742-1480, or admissions.outreach@ttu.edu.
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