Thursday, April 3, 2008
9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
BryanLGH Conference Center
1500 S. 48th Street
Lincoln, Nebraska

This one-day conference will focus on college access "best practices" that incorporate the four steps of the KnowHow2GO campaign. Symposium highlights include:

• State and national college access issues presented by Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman and Dr. Ann Coles, Senior Advisor of College Access Programs, The Education Resources Institute (TERI).
• Breakout sessions with best practices to increase your high school's college-going rate.
• Details about the EducationQuest College Access Grants program and how your school might qualify for funding.

High schools must have at least one representative attend the symposium to be eligible to apply for an EducationQuest College Access Grant. Your school may send more than one representative.

The Symposium, continental breakfast and lunch are provided at no cost by EducationQuest Foundation.

Registration
Agenda
Featured Speakers
About the College Access Grants Program
About the KnowHow2GO campaign
Hotel Accommodations
Event Parking
Questions

Registration

Deadline extended to March 28

Each attendee needs to complete a registration form.

Salutation: Mr. Mrs. Ms. Dr. First Name: Last Name: Title: High School: School Address: City: State: ZIP: Phone: Email: Dietary Restrictions:

8:00 – 9:00

9:00 – 9:30

9:30 am – 12:00 noon

12:00 noon – 1:00 pm

1:00 – 3:30

3:45 – 4:30

You can choose from the following session topics the day of the Symposium:

Be a pain – in a good way. (Encourages students to ask adults to help guide them to college – and to keep asking until they find someone who will.)

Session topics will focus on:

• Involving parents in the college process
• Making a difference for first-generation students
• Building mentoring components
• Establishing relationships with community agencies

Push yourself. (Advises students to take rigorous coursework in high school and get involved.)

Session topics will focus on:

• Providing college access information to freshmen
• Taking advantage of after-school and summer hours to promote college access
• Creating an effective ACT test prep program

Find the right fit. (Encourages students to research colleges that fit their career interests.)

Session topics will focus on:

• Helping students understand career options
• Conducting successful college visits
• Coordinating college access events at your school

Put your hands on some cash. (Informs students about college funding options.)

Session topics will focus on:

• Finding financial aid and scholarships
• Discovering resources for students with disabilities

Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman
Dave Heineman was sworn-in as Nebraska's 39th Governor on January 21, 2005, and was elected to his first full term in 2006. Prior to that he served more than three years as Lieutenant Governor and nearly seven years as State Treasurer.

Governor Heineman's vision for Nebraska is based on four priorities: education, economic vitality, efficiency in government, and protecting families. He believes strongly in the value of a good education and has challenged education leaders to increase Nebraska's college-going rate five percent by 2010. He has demonstrated his commitment to his goal by being a vocal advocate for the KnowHow2GONebraska college access campaign.

Governor Heineman and First Lady Sally Ganem, a former teacher and principal, have made increasing parental involvement in Nebraska schools a priority. They are highlighting the successful efforts of school districts that actively involve parents through The Governor's Award for Parental Involvement which recognizes efforts that serve as models for schools across the state.

The Governor was born in Falls City and grew up in several small towns across Nebraska. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1970 and served five years in the U.S. Army, rising to the rank of captain. He is also a graduate of the Army's Airborne and Ranger Schools.

Dr. Ann Coles, Senior Advisor, College Access Programs at TERI
As Senior Advisor, Dr. Coles leads TERI's national efforts to expand college opportunities for groups under-represented in higher education.

Previously, Dr. Coles was founding executive director of the Higher Education Information Center at the Boston Public Library, and the Pathways to College Network, a national alliance directed by TERI of over 30 nonprofit organizations and funders committed to advancing college access and success for underserved students.

Before joining TERI, Dr. Coles managed programs for disadvantaged students at a Massachusetts community college and held administrative positions with the National Scholarship Service and Fund for Negro Students and the Institute for Services to Education.

Dr. Coles serves on the advisory boards of Scholarship America, College Goal Sunday, and the American Council on Education. She holds a doctorate from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

The EducationQuest College Access Grants program provides funding for Nebraska high schools that wish to increase their college-going rate. In 2006, EducationQuest selected 13 high schools for grant funding through a competitive application and review process. In 2008, an additional 15 high schools will be funded.

Funding amounts for 2008 depend on the high school's enrollment:

• Under 300 students – $5,000 each year for four years
• Between 300 and 1,500 students – $15,000 each year for four years
• Over 1,500 students – $25,000 each year for four years

High schools are funded for four years with the goal to increase their college-going rates by 10%.

Schools use the grants to fund programs and activities such as college visits, financial aid sessions, scholarship searches, career exploration, ACT and SAT test preparation and completion of college applications. The grant program also promotes involvement from parents and businesses.

You may download the grant application and materials.

Current grant recipients are:

• Alliance High School
• Aurora High School
• Broken Bow High School
• Falls City High School
• Gordon-Rushville High School
• Grand Island Senior High
• Hastings High School
• Lincoln North Star High School
• Madison High School
• McCook High School
• Meridian High School
• Millard South High School
• Umoⁿhoⁿ Nation High School

In 2007, EducationQuest was selected to sponsor the national KnowHow2GO campaign in Nebraska. This campaign was developed by the American Council on Education, Lumina Foundation for Education and the Ad Council to inform 8th-10th graders about four steps they need to take to make college a reality.

Governor Dave Heineman helped EducationQuest launch the KnowHow2GONebraska campaign in June 2007. His office is one of many statewide entities to partner with EducationQuest on the campaign.

Over the past year, EducationQuest has developed KnowHow2GO materials and distributed them to all 8th, 9th and 10th graders in the state. We have also conducted presentations at schools and organizations statewide.

EducationQuest has arranged a special rate of $68 (plus tax) if you book a room before March 12, 2008.

Villager Courtyard & Gardens Hotel
5200 O Street
Lincoln, NE 68510
800-356-4321
Reservation Code: EducationQuest Group Rate/#102284

Parking is available in any BryanLGH Parking Garage. You can also download a PDF of the map below.

Contact Eric Drumheller, Director of Grants & Scholarships at 800-303-3745, ext. 6622 or via e-mail ericd@educationquest.org.