Chicago High School Students Experience College Life

Each summer, Trinity gives students from Chicago area high schools a valuable opportunity to participate in a college experience. The Associated Colleges of Illinois (ACI) Summer Academy  prepares students for the next step after high school graduation.

Trinity’s nine-year partnership with ACI focuses on college preparation, as Trinity hosts students for one week in July. The summer academy at Trinity is a residential program available to high school juniors enrolled in a Noble Street Charter School Network.

Mark Hanna, dean of students, and Tabitha Matthews, director of community engagement and diversity programs, operate as directors of the program, overseeing the administration, budget and the continued partnership development with Noble Street.

“Many of the students that participate will be first generation college students in a few years,” said Matthews. “Our hope is that they are encouraged from this week of mentorship and college instruction, and that they continue to see Trinity and college overall as a viable option.”

This year, 45 juniors representing several high schools chose between classes in physical science, taught by Dr. Michael Bosscher, assistant professor of chemistry; math, taught by Susan Donovan, adjunct professor; and graphic design, taught by Ellen Browning, associate professor of art and design.

The rigorous residential experience provides mentoring in areas such as goal setting, the college search, college application completion, and college essay writing. Students are instructed by college coaches John Baldauff, Andrea Walters ’14, Tippi Price, and Cynthia Coffey.

College life also includes a recreational aspect. Students enjoy a variety of evening program activities facilitated by the Residence Life staff under the direction of Residence Director Latishia Elliott and resident assistants Amy James ’17, Fred Walls ’16, and Kylla Pate ’17.