In a collaborative effort with Capital One, Collin College provided around 150 Barron Elementary School fourth and fifth graders the time of their lives during a college tour last month at the Spring Creek Campus.
Not only were the extremely excited kids treated to a grand entrance from Collin Cougar, who high-fived and took pictures with many of them, but also Collin College Student Ambassador MonnikaYoung talked to the students about “college life.”
Young pointed out the importance of studying and going to college, what the experience is like and how it can help achieve their dreams, which, for many of the students, included becoming a dentist, scientist, veterinarian, movie director and farmer.
“When Capitol One approached us with the idea to host Barron Elementary as part of their service projects, I immediately thought of our core values of Service and Involvement,” said Alicia Huppe, Collin College’s Dean of Enrollment and Academic Success Momentum. “Bringing these students on campus not only provided us with an opportunity to demonstrate our core values but also gave us the opportunity to have fun while promoting many of the great programs we have here at Collin College.”
The campus visit, which also included a presentation highlighting Collin College’s different degree programs, concluded with the kids exploring Spring Creek Campus including its theatre, labs, music-recording studio, classrooms and athletic facilities.
“Capital One loves our community and partnering with schools by providing financial and educational initiatives for our communities,” Suzanne Seal, a Capital One representative, said. “It’s absolutely amazing for these kids to come to a college to have an opportunity see what else is out there.”
Through a company initiative, Capital One adopted Barron Elementary School in 2011. Since then, the financial industry giant has provided support for Back to School Book Drives, campus beautification projects, testing and Career, Science, Field and History Days, among other initiatives.
Thanks to Collin College, Barron Elementary School can now add college tour to this list.
“We created a bucket list with these students who said one of their dreams was to have a college tour,” Seal said. “We are extremely thankful Collin College was gracious enough to take the time to have a tour for these kids. They had a great time.”
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