WESTSIDE — Applications for a new career coaching program will be sent home Tuesday, Sept.
4, with students who attend Gentry and Gravette high schools. Parental consent is required for students to participate in the program.
The program, based at the University of Arkansas, is modeled after Gov. Mike Beebe’s “Arkansas Works” program. Fifteen counselor education graduate students were hired to guide at-risk high school students (and the students’ families) in 17 northwest Arkansas high schools in pursuing the students’ best opportunities after high school graduation. Kristin Higgins, assistant professor of counselor education, serves as principal investigator of the project.
The program was dubbed Razor C.O.A.C.H., which stands for “Creating Opportunities for Arkansans’ Career Hopes.”
Whitney Farrar of Fayetteville, a master’s student in counseling with an emphasis in clinical mental health counseling, was assigned to Gravette High School. She earned a bachelor of fine art from Pittsburg (Kan.) State University. She graduated from Neosho (Mo.) High School.
“I am interested in taking part in this program because the work with students will not only creates opportunities for thestudents but shows others the potential for college and career plans,” she said. “Growing up, I did not have an advocate that closely worked with me, so I want to show students that someone is on their side creating opportunities and options. It is a difficult time for high school students; a lot of times there are perceived and real barriers blocking the way to their success.
“This experience will affect my future career plans in helping me understand what it means to advocate with and on behalf of my clients,” Farrar continued.
“Working with students and focusing on a career path indirectly correlates with the work I want to do with domestic violence victims. I will be able to advocate for both and create opportunities and options. Both groups have perceived barriers that affect their ability to see their personal aptitude.”
Carolyn Kelch of Belton, Mo., a master’s student in counseling with an emphasis in school counseling, was assigned to Decatur and Gentry high schools.
She earned a bachelor of science degree in psychology from Missouri State University.
“This program interests me because it is a pilot program focusing on helping at-risk high school students make college and career choices,” she said.
“This experience will help me in my future career plans because it is givingme hands-on experiences to work with students and alongside school counselors.”
The new program is organized and funded through a partnership between the Walton Family Foundation, the University of Arkansas College of Education and Health Professions, the Northwest Arkansas Council’s Educational Excellence Work Group and the Northwest Arkansas Education Service Cooperative. A threeyear, $1.5 million grant from the Walton Family Foundation will support the Northwest Arkansas program. The governor’s Arkansas Works program, which operates in 21 Arkansas counties, is not currently serving schooldistricts in Benton or Washington counties.
The new program’s career coaches, who have the skills, knowledge and abilities to facilitate career development, will help students explore post-high school education options and assist in preparing for and enrolling to take the ACT college entrance exam. The coaches will stress family involvement in the entire process as they help students go over college scholarship and financial aid opportunities, college selection and technical training possibilities.
Co-principal investigators are Gary Ritter, holder of the Twenty-First Century Chair in Education Policy;
Dan Kissinger, associate professor of counseloreducation, and Arie Greenleaf, assistant professor of counselor education. JoshRaney directs the dayto-day operations of the program.
News, Pages 10 on 08/29/2012