SJU's Ignatian College Connection provides summer enrichment, SAT prep
PHILADELPHIA (June 25, 2009) — For many students across the greater Philadelphia area, the early weeks of June are a countdown to freedom. "No more pencils, no more books…" as the saying goes. But for 45 high-achieving high school students from Philadelphia and Camden, N.J., the end of the formal school year is simply a transition into other opportunities to learn as part of the Ignatian College Connection (ICC), an educational enrichment program offered through Saint Joseph's University. The summer session is being held through Thursday, July 2.
Now in its fifth year, the ICC summer program offers college preparation courses for the students, including library research seminars; non-credit courses in subjects like mathematics, faith justice, geology and marketing; and study halls. In addition, the program has added an intensive SAT preparation course this year, from June 22 through June 26. Many students who have been a part of the ICC program have gone on to receive scholarships to college. Students in this year's program come to the University from Saint Joseph's Preparatory School, Little Flower High School, Camden Catholic High School, and several Philadelphia public and parochial schools.
"ICC has done so much for me and has helped me in so many ways," said Shante Gaines, a member of the Class of 2010 at John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls' High School in Center City and a returning ICC participant. "I have learned what the college experience is like and what I can do to make colleges more interested in me as an applicant. The ICC program has been an inspiration."
Though many ICC participants go on to college at various institutions, a select group each year is offered ICC scholarships to attend Saint Joseph’s. In order to qualify, these students must demonstrate academic excellence, leadership ability, and a commitment to academic achievement as well as financial need. Once these requirements are met, students maintain their relationship with the ICC through regular meetings with an ICC mentor, and several continue to work with the program as volunteers to help new students.
"Even though the ICC Summer Enrichment program only lasted for two weeks, the impact that it had on me was enough to make SJU my top choice for college," said Maxwell Hellee, an incoming freshman at Saint Joseph's whose participation in ICC earned him a scholarship. "I was able to meet amazing individuals, see the campus and its amenities, and be put to the test with a series of assignments and projects. In some ways the program made me feel as though I was already a part of the University."
"The Ignatian College Connection strives to provide outreach to a diverse cultural, educational and socioeconomic population of students in the community," said Jennifer Dessus, the program's coordinator. "We want to give these students a chance to go to college, whether it’s Saint Joseph's University or somewhere else."
Background: Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1851, Saint Joseph's University advances the professional and personal ambitions of men and women by providing a demanding, yet supportive, educational experience. One of only 129 schools with a Phi Beta Kappa chapter and AACSB business school accreditation, Saint Joseph's is home to 4,500 full-time undergraduates and 3,200 graduate, part-time and doctoral students. Steeped in the 450-year Jesuit tradition of scholarship and service, Saint Joseph's was named to the 2008 President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for General Community Service. The University strives to be recognized as the preeminent Catholic comprehensive university in the Northeast.
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Contact: Jeffrey Martin, Office of University Communications, 610-660-3223, jeffrey.martin@sju.edu
