Program Components:

Outreach/recruitment/marketing

Secondary-postsecondary partnership

1700 W. Hillsdale Blvd.

San Mateo Ca 94402

650-574-6155

scott@smccd.net

Ruth Turner, EOPS Coordinator/Counselor

650-574-6154

turner@smccd.net

eligibility for EOPS* program services. High school personnel contact students who have

less than a 2.5 grade point average and/or students who participate in the school lunch

program; and are, or may be, interested in enrolling at College of San Mateo.

*EOPS serves low-income, often first generation college students, who are academically under prepared;

It addresses barriers to their participation in college: anxiety, fear, expectations, financial

and academic difficulties, etc. The program promotes the understanding that college is a

possibility if students so choose. Preview Day specifically attempts to generate interest in

1) attending college, 2) attending CSM/applying for EOPS and 3) serves as a recruitment

opportunity for the Summer College Readiness Program, SCRP. Which described as a

separate practice in this document.

to experience a ‘day in the life’ of an EOPS college student. Transportation assistance is

provided (if necessary), and a continental breakfast is served. Key campus personnel

(President, Vice President of Student Services, Vice President of Instruction, Dean of

Counseling, Dean of Enrollment Services, etc.) welcome students by participating in an

ice breaker activity with them. Afterwards, students are assigned to an EOPS student

mentor who has similar interests/major, who serves as a guide for a two- hour period,

taking the students to class with them, or providing a tour if no class is scheduled. Prior to

serving as student mentors a training session is held so that they will understand the goals

of the "Preview Day" and know what their role is. Based on the high school student-

EOPS student matches, the program identifies the classes that will be visited and notifies

the instructors. The high school students and their mentors return to EOPS for lunch,

followed by an informational session on EOPS and College of San Mateo. Students leave

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with an EOPS Preview Day T-Shirt, a folder filled with CSM information, and an

application to the college's Summer Class Readiness Program.

1-2 student assistants. On the actual Preview Day 35 student mentors work with the high

school students. All activities are under the direction of EOPS Director and/or

Coordinator.

gathering place. Materials include the ice-breaker activity and related materials, folders

with campus program materials, t-shirts, and an application for college's Summer College

Readiness Program. The program coordinates with food services to supply lunch.

EOPS budget. It was previously funded through a campus Partnership for Excellence

grant that is now defunct.

local high schools targeting students who may meet EOPS criteria. These students are

identified with assistance of high school staff. Upon request from local feeder schools,

college staff will conduct and facilitate a College Readiness Workshop Series that also

serves as a marketing tool.

survey; the number of Preview Day students who subsequently participate in Summer

College Readiness Program and/or enroll at CSM for fall semester and apply for EOPS

services. Beginning 2005 the program will use pre/post tests to assess student learning

outcomes for the event.

date. Many high schools have STAR testing, exist exams, etc. in the spring that can

conflict. To ensure that you are not short of student mentors, recruit more mentors than

are actually needed, with the caveat that there may not be enough high school students to

go around. Have the mentors attend a training session so that they are clear on what is

expected of them.