Athens, Ga. (March 13, 2006) – The UGA Steps to College program has been selected to receive the Recognition of Excellence Award for Innovations in Outreach and Engagement from the University Continuing Education Association. This national award recognizes creative and innovative programs in the field. The award committee was impressed by the variety of options for students to improve their academic skills and to be involved in community service activities, wrote Miriam Simmons, committee chair.

The Steps to College program began as a single summer session in 2002 and has grown into a collection of programs and services targeting middle and high school students whose first language is not English. By serving students through high school and into higher education, the program helps ensure that bilingual students graduate. For example, Latino students who attended two Steps to College summer programs are all either still in high school or have graduated. Nationwide, Latinos have the highest drop-out rate for any ethnic group.

For more information on the Steps to College Program contact Christine Burgoyne at 706/542-6473, or or visit
http://www.georgiacenter.uga.edu/pso/stepstocollege/index.phtml.

The Georgia Center, a unit of the University of Georgia’s Office of the Vice President for Public Service and Outreach, provides innovative lifelong learning opportunities through its continuing education programs. On UGA’s campus, the Georgia Center includes a full-service hotel with 200 rooms and suites, restaurants, banquet areas, conference rooms, auditoriums, a fitness center, and computer labs—all under one roof. For more information go to http://www.georgiacenter.uga.edu/.

This article was posted on Monday, March 13th, 2006 at 4:10 pm and is filed under Program News.