11/30/07 - For some, revisiting the crazy days of applying to colleges and preparing to take the SATs does not seem like the popular choice.
But for two University of Rhode Island alumni and five alumni from Brown University, it's not only a choice-it's their job.
Gloria Benson and Nicole O'Laughlin, both alumni of the class of 2007 at URI, are involved with the debut of a Brown University-based College Advising Corps., which acts as a guiding force for low-income and first-generation high school students to increase college enrollment.
The advisers work alongside other guidance counselors and assist high school students with filling out college applications, preparing for the SATs, choosing the right college and organizing financial aid or scholarship information. The College Advising Corps. is also at nine other universities or colleges, including Tufts University, Pennsylvania State universities and the University of Virginia.
Both women are familiar with the notion of college access programs, and said the programs had greatly influenced their decisions to attend college.
O'Laughlin, who majored in political science with a pre-law concentration, said she never thought she would have been able to attend college because of her lack of finances.
"I had a hard life growing up, but there are people who had it a lot worse than me," she said. "Eventually, I'd like to be able to push laws that can help out people in those situations."
O'Laughlin advises at West Warwick high school, one of seven high schools the program caters to. She works with approximately 120 seniors, and said even though she works 60 to 80 hours a week, she is quite content at her job.
"It's really the experience overall," O'Laughlin, who is from Newport, said. "I really enjoy what I'm doing and that's the No. 1 thing for me. Seeing these kids' faces light up or seeing their parent and that they love me being there, that makes me happy."
For Benson, this experience is not only along the lines of her human development and family studies major, but it is literally taking a step back in time. She advises at her alma mater, Mount Pleasant High School in Providence, and oversees about 315 seniors.
2008 Woodie Awards