Emerging Scholars at Clemson University
The Need Since 2002, The Emerging Scholars Program has made higher education a reality for students who have not seen college in their future. The mission of the Emerging Scholars Program at Clemson University is to establish a college-going culture among students in families from the state s economically disadvantaged areas through academic enrichment, developing leadership skills, and increasing college preparedness. Students are taught that knowing the basics in reading, writing and math are the most important factors in high school and college completion. These skills are emphasized throughout their participation in the program, along with more information on the basics of applying to any college or university. Even though the students attend summer sessions on the campus of Clemson University, the goal of college attendance is not limited to Clemson. The students are encouraged to apply and attend any college of their choice with an emphasis on schools in the state. Map of South Carolina Counties that we serve
Poverty Rate (2012) Average SAT Score (2013) Percent w/ Bachelor Degree (25+) (2012) Unemployment Rate (2012) South Carolina 26.8% 1436 15.8% 9.1 Bamberg-Ehrhardt High Wade Hampton High Denmark-Olar High Allendale-Fairfax High 40.3% 1343 11.9% 15.4 38.4% 1252 7.9% 12.3 40.3% 1273 11.9% 15.4 50.6% 1069 10.8% 16.9 Estill High 38.4% 1101 7.9% 12.3 datacenter.kidscount.org ed.sc.gov factfinder2.census.gov The chart above shows just how great the need is in the school districts we serve. We compared the poverty rates, average SAT score, percent of population with a bachelor s degree and the unemployment rate of our school districts to the average numbers in South Carolina. You can also see the cycle of poverty in the five districts that we serve and that is what Emerging Scholars is trying to change. Emerging Scholars students and staff
Students during their art class. The Summer Experience PHASE 1: Rising high school sophomores attend a week long residential experience on the Clemson University campus. This week consists of team building, academic evaluations, college access information and collaborative learning experiences. The students take daily classes in reading, writing and math. PHASE 2: Students return to Clemson for two weeks prior to their junior year. Reading, writing and math skills are reinforced and science classes are introduced. Students have more interaction with campus partners and are exposed to more college access information. PHASE 3: Students return to Clemson for three weeks prior to their senior year. A simulation of a typical freshman schedule is introduced and students are enrolled in five different courses: English, math, social science, laboratory science and art. Students also begin work on their college applications. Seniors are also taken on a day college trip to Atlanta to visit Morehouse, Spellman, and Clark-Atlanta.
Academic Year Activities Students who participate in the Emerging Scholars program also commit to academic year work and activities. College access workshops are held throughout the year at the USC Salkahatchie campus in Allendale, SC. Students are also expected to complete exercises in student workbooks provided by the program. Throughout the year, Emerging Scholars staff meet with the students at their schools and host social activities in the area. The students are also given the opportunity to visit over 12 different college campuses throughout their time in the program. Students during a college visit to USC Upstate Students at a workshop at USC Salkehatchie
Accomplishments Since Emerging Scholars began, the program has seen these results: 100 percent of the Emerging Scholars students have graduated from high school. 90 percent of these students attend college or join the military their first year out of school. 79 percent of the program participants who matriculated to some form of postsecondary school after graduation went to either a research institution or a four-year college/university. Our students attend colleges all over South Carolina and the Southeast. Here are a few colleges you will find Emerging Scholar students: Clemson Winthrop Francis Marion Lander University of South Carolina Morehouse Columbia College USC Upstate USC Aiken Greenville Tech College of Charleston Charleston Southern Coastal Carolina Students receiving awards at the graduation banquet
How You Can Help Research shows that personal potential earning power is directly correlated to an individual s level of education. Emerging Scholars offers an ROI within one year. And the increase grows over time. Three-year estimated cost of the Emerging Scholars program + scholarship funds: Increase in projected earning potential for each level of educational achievement more that two years: $10,000/student $16,000 For many students in the state s poorest counties, the cycle of high poverty levels and even higher dropout rates continues today. The situation of the children in these areas will not improve without the intervention of a program that counters poverty and under-education before it has the opportunity to entrap a young person. We invite you to invest in the future of these students. Your investment will help fund students through their Emerging Scholars experiences, and it will allow students who need the mentoring, encouragement, and direction of this program to succeed where others in their community may fail. This is an opportunity to have a lasting impact on a life, a family, and our state. It is an investment in a program with a proven track record. And is an investment in the future of us all. Please contact the Development Office at 864-656-2121 if you are interested in helping us do even more.
Contact Information Amber Lange, Director, lange@clemson.edu www.clemsonemergingscholars.org www.instagram.com/cu_es www.youtube.com/user/cuemergingscholars Clemson Emerging Scholars