Post-Secondary Pathways Coaching

Young Scholars Program at Rhodes State College

Program Overview:

• The Young Scholars Program, a partnership between Rhodes State College and local middle and high schools, provides potential first-generation college-going students with a variety of resources to help prepare them for college and career pathways. 
• Using a cohort model, youth join the Young Scholars Program in the eighth grade, and are supported through their high school graduation and college enrollment. 
• Participating students receive intensive pre-college advising, planning resources, and a breadth of college and career experiences to provide exposure to postsecondary opportunities. Young Scholars participants who eventually enroll at Rhodes State College also receive two years of free tuition. 
• In addition to pre-college advising, Rhodes State provides immersive programming to expose the Young Scholars to the arts, business and industry, community service, and social emotional learning. 
• Rhodes State College employs college students through Federal Work-Study to serve as postsecondary transition coaches and mentors for youth participating in the program. Having often come from the same community, these college students are especially well-positioned to foster meaningful connections with the Young Scholars participants through relatable experiences.

Program Impact: 

• The Young Scholars Program launched in 2022 with an initial cohort of eight students, and will grow annually by 10 participants. 
• Local media has featured Rhodes State College and the Young Scholars Program