Benedict College has been awarded a $435,000 grant for the next four years, totaling $1.6 million from the U.S. Department of Education in support of the institution’s Upward Bound program. In existence for more than 30 years, Benedict’s Upward Bound is a pre-college program designed to foster skills necessary for success beyond high school. The project is geared toward students who come from economically disadvantaged families and whose parents have not earned a college degree. Benedict’s program has survived and thrived for more than three decades because of its talented and dedicated staff and parents who stay involved, said Dr. Jabari Simama, Vice-President for Community Development at Benedict. “The parents within the program have been passionate and engaged with the U.S. Congress to ensure that our elected officials value the benefit of this important educational program,” Dr. Simama further commented.
The program is year-round and consists of three components: academics, the summer residential and bridge programs. In the academic component, students attend Saturday sessions on campus. During the year, students receive individualized instruction in science, mathematics, English, and foreign languages. Students also engage in career, financial aid, academic and personal counseling; tutorials; and a variety of enrichment activities to include college tours, seminars, and recreational activities.
The summer residential component allows participants to experience college life. All participants live in the dormitory, eat in the campus dining facilities, and attend regular classes. Adult dormitory supervisors are hired during the summer months to counsel and supervise participants.
When students reach the bridge phase of the program, they are allowed to take college courses and earn college credit during the summer before they enter college. The bridge component provides a venue for students to transition from high school to college and to get ahead on their journey through college. “We see educational enrichment from the perspective of community development. That is, we see educational enrichment as part of an overall strategy of capacity building for the larger transformation of communities,” Dr. Simama said.
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Benedict College Child Development Center celebrated Easter with an Easter egg hunt. The children enjoyed the hunt as they searched for the golden egg.
The Child Development Center celebrated a night of “Happily Ever After” prom. The girls dressed like the Belles of the ball and the boys dressed like handsome Princes. The children danced the night away with family and friends at their first prom. Everyone had a blast and it was truly a night to remember.
“We’ve Only Just Begun” is the theme for our graduation. During the graduation ceremony (18) eighteen students were honored, of which 15 were promoted to kindergarten and 3 were promoted to First Grade. The ceremony was held on June 22, 2007 at 10:00 am in the David H. Swinton Center.
The “Stand for Children Day” event was held at the CDC on June 29, 2007. There were several local child care centers in attendance for this occasion. Our “Summer Explosion” summer camp has begun. The program will consist of educational activities that will physically and mentally challenge the children.
For information, contact Ms. Betty B. Davenport, Director of Child and Family Programs, 803-253-6200 or 803-705-4484.
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