The words “I will” have become synonymous with student success and personal commitment at Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC), where students, staff and faculty are preparing to host the third annual Student Success Fair on March 25 and 26, 2015.
The Student Success Fair is designed to increase student comprehension of college requirements needed to graduate, and connect current and future students to the resources available to enhance student achievement. The event’s purpose is to inspire students to personalize and “own” their individual academic and career goals.
The inaugural Student Success Fair was held in 2013, at which time the college began introducing students to an “I Will Graduate” theme. Over the past two years, the event has expanded significantly, offering multiple day and evening sessions to more than 1,000 students each year, including future students and their advocates. The impact of the EMCC fair has also inspired four other Maricopa Community Colleges to adopt and pilot the initiative this year.
EMCC’s fair will kick off on Wednesday, March 25, with a day session from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., and an evening session from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Future students are encouraged to attend the evening session on March 25, which will include additional resources and information for graduating high school students transitioning into college. The event continues Thursday, March 26, with a day session from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. All three sessions will be held on EMCC campus grounds and courtyards, located at 3000 N. Dysart Rd. in Avondale. The fair will be presented in open house format and is free and open to the public.
In a fun and festive atmosphere, future and current students will be provided a “graduation passport” to guide them as they visit various tables and talk with staff, faculty and student representatives. After completing the passport, individuals will receive a free, customizable EMCC T-shirt to declare their graduation date. Students will keep their passport, which contains all of the personalized information they collected from the fair, and use the information after the event as they progress toward graduation.
As students visit various zones, they will have the opportunity to discover the resources and requirements for college completion, including enrollment and registration, academic success strategies, student life and leadership opportunities, degree requirements, graduation deadlines and more. There will also be opportunities to pose in a photo booth, earn prizes, and enjoy free food and music.
In addition to learning about credit-bearing pathways, participants can explore short-term job training programs at EMCC. These fast-track certificate programs offer technical training for individuals who want to enter the workforce with new skills in healthcare and industrial career fields.
A unique feature to this year’s Student Success Fair will be the “I Will Graduate” declaration wall, inspired by the “Before I Die” interactive art project designed by Candy Chang. The three-sided wall allows students to declare their future career and life goals after graduation, and is designed for continued display around campus and at future events as a reminder of each student’s dreams as they actualize their goals.
“EMCC’s long-standing service strategy is ‘Your success is our success,’ and EMCC employees work together to help students achieve success,” said EMCC President Dr. Ernie Lara. “The Student Success Fair demonstrates our commitment to students and our dedication to providing an environment for student success.”
For more information, visit www.estrellamountain.edu/iwill.