South Georgia State College (SGSC) has entered into a partnership with Fresh Start Academy (FSA) in Albany, Georgia, to create additional pathways for students to pursue higher education at a residential state college of the University System of Georgia. The collaboration will allow for SGSC’s enrollment specialists to host recruitment events, conduct sessions to assist students with navigating the financial aid process and guide them through admissions and housing applications.
Fresh Start Academy provides academic and support services to students either at risk of not earning a high school diploma or wishing to return to school after a gap in their education. Once they complete their required coursework at FSA and earn their diploma, SGSC will support and assist the students with admissions and registration for classes at the Douglas, campus or one of the entry programs at Valdosta State University or Georgia Southwestern State University.
Representatives from SGSC’s Offices of Recruitment, Admissions and Financial Aid visited the Fresh Start Academy earlier in the year to provide the students with information on the college and assist them with the application process. According to FSA’s Director Patricia Jackson, “Many of our parents focus solely on the short-term goal of having their children earn high school diplomas. As a result of the visit, parents were especially excited about this unexpected opportunity that the partnership creates for students beyond high school. Having the experience of discussing post- secondary options with college representatives who could provide immediate feedback impressed our parents immensely. This has created a greater enthusiasm toward the prospect of their child attending college.”
SGSC President Dr. Ingrid Thompson-Sellers feels the partnership is a win-win for South Georgia State College and the Fresh Start Academy students. “Many times, the most difficult part in pursuing a college degree is the beginning of the process. We want to ease the transition for these students from secondary to post-secondary education. SGSC will be there to assist students and will have practices in place to increase access to higher education. These students will then become part of our SGSC family, and our faculty and staff will advocate for their success throughout their academic career at our institution.”
For more information, visit Fresh Start Academy at https://afreshstartsolution.com/ or South Georgia State College at www.sgsc.edu.