Each fall we send off a cohort of CV College Access Program graduates to schools throughout Rhode Island, New England, and beyond, but we don’t need to say goodbye. Instead CV advisors keep in touch with college students through the Kolajo Paul Afolabi College Success Program. Local students are always welcome in the CV office, and we reach out to farther flung students through phone, email, Skype, and in-person visits.
This January we hosted a two-day event for CSP students who were back in Providence for winter break. For CV advisor Emily Gonzalez, the CSP workshop is important because “As CV’s mission is to empower students to enroll, persist, and graduate from college, it’s important for us as advisers to stay in touch with KSP students and remind them that CV is here for support!”
Like all CV events, the CSP conference was an opportunity to share food and friendship, but we also got down to serious business. Students shared their lowest moments (no sleep, dropping GPA, losing a friend) and proudest moments (rising GPA, getting a new job, making a new friend) from fall semester. We heard from CSP student Yanderis that “The conference was really helpful. It got me thinking about what I want to do this summer and after college. It was really helpful to hear how other college students conquered challenges they faced, and it was fun to get together with everyone.”
