On July 12th, a group of rising 6th through 8th graders from the Peace Neighborhood Center participated in a campus visit at the University of Michigan. Peace Neighborhood serves Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti residents faced with social and economic challenges and helps them discover options, develop skills, and make choices that lead to independence and positive community involvement.
Over 30 students were a part of the event. Students had a chance to visit the Mosher-Jordan dining hall for lunch and engage U-M students in a panel discussion at the Michigan League. U-M students addressed a variety of topics during the panel, such as preparing for college, life on campus, and aspirations for the future. Cydney Rogers, a first-generation U-M junior, shared how she “wanted to go to college because [she] knew that without higher education, [she] would have limited resources and limited opportunities.” The middle-schoolers had the opportunity to ask questions and learn about the experiences of college students to which they could relate.
The campus visit was a great opportunity for the U-M community to engage students in Washtenaw County; the Center for Educational Outreach is eager to enrich these connections in the future.