HBCU "Virtual" College Tour | Published: April 24, 2020
School looks very different these days, so BGCC is working with teens to keep their focus their future educational goals. In 2019, Will Edmondson, the James R. Jordan Club Program Director, led a group of 10 BGCC high school seniors on an HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) tour. They toured Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD and Howard University in Washington DC. It was an eye-opening experience for the teens, and for many it was their first time visiting any college or university.
Our Club teens came prepared with questions for the admissions staff and tour guides. The young people were actively engaged in the tours and gathered a lot of pertinent information. As a result of the tour, one of our members applied to, and was accepted at Morgan State University.
Seeing what a powerful impact this tour had on our youth, Edmondson went to work raising the necessary funds to return in 2020. He was successfully meeting his fundraising goals and had a committed group of Club teens eager to participate. Once it became apparent the kids wouldn’t be able to go on the original trip as planned due to COVID-19, HBCU quickly adapted the tours, which took place virtually this past weekend. 15 of our Club teens participated in the online event, showcasing 18 HBCU schools. The virtual tour informed attendees on each school's campus, academic opportunities, and admission process. It also allowed for a Q&A with each college/university represented.
"One way to increase the number of students from disadvantaged neighborhoods to enroll in postsecondary education is to expose them to college life. The HBCU virtual tour is equipping our members with the tools they need to understand the college enrollment process." -Will Edmondson, Jordan Club Program Director