Auburn University Outreach receives grant from State Farm for college prep initiative at Loachapoka High School

AUBURN - Auburn University's outreach division has received a $58,000 grant from the State Farm Youth Advisory Board, or YAB, to develop a service-learning based preparatory program at Loachapoka High School to help students enter and perform better in college, and ultimately qualify for better jobs. Auburn was one of 82 organizations to receive a grant from across the U.S. and Canada. There were more than 1,100 grant proposals submitted for this year’s YAB grants.

The funding will support programs developed as part of a partnership between the university, Loachapoka Schools, Lee County School District and Verizon. The initiative will utilize Auburn faculty and students in service-learning strategies to improve Loachapoka students' ability to enter and be successful in college. Programs will focus on building computer and technological skills as well as math, reading and writing.

"This initiative will help students in this community expand their view
of the possibilities of college and career," said project administrator
Leary Bell, director of faculty engagement and program development in
University Outreach.

State Farm supports service-learning as part of the company's long
history of investment in communities and public education, according to
Emily Clark, State Farm public affairs specialist.

"State Farm supports service-learning because it combines service to
the community with classroom curriculum in a hands-on approach to
mastering subject material while fostering civic responsibility," Clark
said. "The State Farm Youth Advisory Board is a prime example of State
Farm's commitment to education, our community and our youth."

The company's goals parallel the university's strategic objectives
supporting K-12 partnerships and service-learning. "State Farm's grant
helps us meet our engagement objectives with the Loachapoka School as
well as providing a valuable service experience for Auburn students,"
said Royrickers Cook, assistant vice president for University Outreach.

The initiative includes a number of internal and external partners in
addition to University Outreach. The College of Education and its Truman
Pierce Institute and the College of Sciences and Mathematics will
support program development and administration. Verizon has agreed to
partner with the project for technological support. School officials and
faculty at Loachapoka will oversee the involvement of their students in
the program. Loachapoka senior students will also work with the Auburn
students in mentoring their junior classmates.

The effort will begin with mentoring for seventh- and eighth-grade
students on topics including study skills, time management, problem
solving, communications skills, goal setting and test-taking skills. In
the ninth grade, students will receive a laptop computer and learn
computer and technology skills to enrich their learning experience in
all areas of study. In the eleventh and twelfth grades, students will
receive an intense pre-college experience, involving enhanced reading,
writing and math education and test-taking skills. Students will also
participate in seminars on the Auburn campus on campus life, enrollment
and financial aid. Auburn will provide a "Family University" for
parents, offering a wide range of support services to enable them to
better support and prepare their children for college, tutoring and
remediation, and career development.