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MCC Daily Tribune Archive

President's Wednesday Message


MCC has recently become involved in the new Rochester College Access Network, through our engagement with the Rochester Education Foundation and the ROC the Future Cradle to Career Network.

Hearing that news, the natural follow-up question may be: what is a “College Access Network” and who needs one? College Access Networks (CANs) are community-based initiatives committed to helping students, especially those underrepresented in higher education and/or in high poverty districts, get into college. The college application process is confusing for even the most prepared student with the most involved parents in the most resourced school district. For students without those assets, it can be a nightmare. For example, RCSD counselors typically have a 200+ student caseload. Imagine all the challenges these students face; imagine what the counselors must address; imagine where “getting into college” falls on this list. So, a CAN steps in to help.

The Rochester CAN (RCAN) seeks to build a community network and leverage existing community resources with a single goal of helping more RCSD kids through the college application process. This entails a whole series of activities: selecting colleges, helping families complete FAFSA forms, writing college essays, filling out college applications, applying for scholarships, and more. To learn more about the current state of college access information in Rochester, read the REF report.

RCAN addresses a significant and growing challenge that impacts both higher education and economic development: high-achieving, low-income students are less likely to attend college than their middle- and high-income peers (of all academic levels). This is true across all types of higher education institutions, but it is especially true at selective colleges and universities. We know that there are talented students in RCSD: students who--by virtue of their academic achievement, grit and commitment--would find a clear pathway to college were they in a different environment, with different resources. The RCAN will seek to level the playing field for these students, providing them with the hand up they need to take advantage of the opportunity they earned.

The RCAN is being co-chaired by Rochester Education Foundation members from MCC and RIT. Assistant Vice President for Academic Services Kimberley Collins serves on this group for our college. I encourage you to follow the efforts of this emerging and important group and to join in promoting a college-ready and college-going culture among city students. What are your ideas for improving college access among RCSD students? Share them on the blog.

    Anne M. Kress, Ph.D.
    President's Office
    11/13/2013