Degree completion « OSU Open Campus

Irma Valerio
“Juntos mom” and facilitator

Photo: Alejandrina Olivas

My son was a sophomore and my oldest daughter a freshman back when we started Juntos. Before starting the program, I didn’t know what to expect from my kids’ high school. And I didn’t know enough to really talk with my kids about their classes, their schedules, testing, or anything. My husband also didn’t really talk to them about school.

Doing Juntos was like getting the key to open a locked door. After our first Juntos session, we became closer as a family. My husband talks so much more with our kids about their education. A big reason was that it was in Spanish which is more convenient for us parents.

A great benefit was to learn about the college financing. We know about all different types of programs, scholarships, and grants; really there are so many options we never would have heard about or thought to ask. Also, it has created leadership opportunities for my kids: they visit colleges, they attend camps and workshops, they help organize new sessions, and they get volunteer hours.

Personally, as their mom, it has made a big change in my life too. At first, I was just curious if this could really help my kids. Then I was asked to be a volunteer, and I was nervous, but I tried to help out. Then they asked me to be a facilitator! This has given me more chances to speak in English, in public! So I am still nervous, but I am coming out of my shell, working with family and community members, and improving my own bilingual skills. I’ve even started working as an educational assistant at the high school, and I’m taking early childhood education classes.

Juntos is great for students, yes, but really it is the WHOLE family, together, that benefits. “Juntos.”

https://create.osufoundation.org/juntos

Antonia

“Juntos Mom” and facilitator

Kyle Yeager Photography

When I was invited to be a facilitator, the training asked us about our dreams. My dreams were to finish my master’s degree. After helping to start Juntos in Culver, I talked with my university, and learned that it is possible to finish my degree after 15 years! So now, I am telling the Juntos kids to go for their goals as I go for mine. It’s hard! But we can all do something to further our education.

I think the families in my program believe in two Americas. One version is what you see in movies and T.V. shows. Everyone has a nice house, good job, and all the kids go to college. Then, there’s the reality they see around them: parents waking up at three a.m. for a job, working so incredibly hard, and experiencing many disadvantages. It’s hard for my daughter to learn about equal rights in school, and then to see injustice happen around her. Don’t get me wrong. We are all very grateful to this country. We pay our taxes and see them spent on safe roads, respectful police, high-quality schools. Our community is so grateful. We just want our kids to have all the same advantages as everyone else.

We want our kids to able to integrate in the community, and not only take advantage of all the positive things America can offer; we also want our kids to give back to this community and be of service to those around them. Education is how our kids can learn enough to give back.

Now, these kids are saying college is possible. It gives them hope. They don’t have to be left out of society any longer. My own daughter observes other young people making poor decisions, and she’ll say, “They need to go to Juntos!” It’s changing the mindset of this generation.

https://create.osufoundation.org/juntos

NancyMaydra — Nancy (left) a Tillamook Juntos student after submitting her OSU application with support from Maydra Valencia (right), OSU Juntos Coordinator

Just about a month ago, Nancy submitted her application to attend OSU. Nancy plans to study to be a teacher and will be the first in her family to attend college. But she won’t be the last–Nancy is the oldest of 4 siblings who are all also part of our Juntos community.

Juntos is designed to support students and families who are navigating through state tests, college applications, and financial aid for the first time. With knowledge and support, students like Nancy can make their dreams a reality.

Please help us support students like Nancy in their dreams of getting to college by donating to or sharing our campaign to make Juntos a permanent fixture throughout the state (https://create.osufoundation.org/juntos).

This spring, Rebecca Brooksher, a 28 year old mom of two, was the first graduate of a new agricultural sciences degree completion program, offered in Klamath Falls through Oregon State University and Klamath Community College.

Through this program, students in Klamath and Lake counties who are interested in pursuing a degree in agricultural sciences can now travel a straight path from high school to an Oregon State degree, all without leaving the Klamath Basin.

A unique component is the students’ access to coaching from an OSU Open Campus coordinator throughout the program.

“As Rebecca’s mentor and coach here in Klamath Falls, I am so proud of all the work that she has accomplished for herself, her family and her community,” says Keely Moxley, OOC Education Coordinator in Klamath Falls. “Her goal is to obtain her Masters of Science in Agriculture Education so that she can share her passion for agriculture as a high school agriculture teacher.”

There are currently plans underway to explore how this model might be replicated in partnership with other community colleges around the state.

By: Keely Moxley, OSU Open Campus Coordinator in Klamath Falls

Rebecca Brooksher, a 28 year old mom of two, was the first graduate of a new agricultural sciences degree completion program, offered in Klamath Falls through Oregon State University and Klamath Community College (KCC). This is the story of her busy graduation weekend.

Thank you so much, Rebecca, for sticking with the program and encouraging others to do the same!

To learn more about Rebecca’s story, check out the Herald and News article

By Beth Emshoff, Director, Oregon Open Campus

We have a lot going on with Oregon Open Campus (OOC) these days, and I wanted to take this opportunity to share some exciting news.

On March 18 Oregon State University, through the OOC initiative, and Klamath Community College (KCC) signed a memorandum agreement to pilot a new degree completion program in agricultural sciences.

Over the past year, with leadership from Willie Riggs – the OSU Extension Service regional administrator and director of the Klamath Basin Experiment Station – OOC has been working in partnership with KCC to finalize the details of this program.

Our ultimate goal is improved student success and retention.

Currently KCC students have the option to enroll in the Degree Partnership Program, which allows them to be jointly admitted and enrolled at KCC and Oregon State. Through this new degree completion program, students in Klamath and Lake counties who are interested in pursuing a degree in agricultural sciences can now travel a straight path from high school to an Oregon State degree, all without leaving the Klamath Basin.

The program, which begins this spring, makes it possible for high school students to earn 11 college credits, move to KCC’s agricultural sciences program, then complete Oregon State’s agricultural sciences program offered online through OSU Ecampus.

One unique component of this program is the “high touch” cohort model.

Students will meet regularly with Oregon State and KCC faculty, giving them access to mentoring, advising, ongoing encouragement and tutorials throughout the program.

This seamless approach should significantly reduce the

cost of an undergraduate education. KCC college credits in high school come at no cost, community college credits are about one-third the cost of university credits, and eliminating the relocation costs for students by staying in their home communities further reduces the total cost of an undergraduate degree.

We are currently exploring how this model might be replicated in other communities.

Oregon Open Campus in Tillamook County is in conversation with Tillamook Bay Community College to find a way for their students to transfer into OSU’s fisheries and wildlife sciences online degree program. Similar conversations are taking place on the south coast with Southwestern Oregon Community College.

For more information, check out the Klamath Falls Herald and News article. If you have questions or would like to discuss anything related to Oregon Open Campus, please contact me.

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Category Archives: Degree completion

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