How We Build Community Among Our Graduates
At Green Dot Public Schools, graduation isn’t the only thing we are celebrating as we approach the end of the school year. Last month, hundreds of students and educators gathered to celebrate our college-bound seniors’ journey into higher education at the fourth annual Launch to College event.
Each year, college-bound seniors from all Green Dot high schools in California come together to connect with other seniors attending the same university, and to learn more about their imminent transition to college. Students participate in panels where they network with alumni and learn from professionals on topics ranging from adjusting to college life and accessing campus resources to learning financial literacy. They also cheer a lot!
Launch to College creates a space to connect our students with each other, and ask important questions about life after high school. It’s our belief that by providing our soon-to-be Green Dot alumni with an existing network of support in their freshman year, students are more likely to complete college.
Here’s what some of our seniors from the Class of 2017 had to say about this year’s Launch to College:
“It’s been exciting meeting other Green Dot students! Launch to College gives seniors so much support — it helps us build confidence, prepare for college and lets us know that we’re not alone.”
— Dulce Garcia, Ánimo College Preparatory Academy, Cal State Fullerton Class of 2021
“I love the spirit of Launch to College, it feels great having all the Green Dot schools here together, helping each other prepare for our journey into higher education.”
— Brian Pascal, Ánimo Jackie Robinson Charter High School, UC Berkeley Class of 2021
“Before today I felt terrified, I felt like I was going to be alone at Dominguez Hills, but coming to Launch to College helped me not feel scared.”
— Justin Garret, Ánimo Inglewood Charter High School, Cal State Dominguez Hills Class of 2021
A Network of Support
Launch to College is the first of many support opportunities that Green Dot offers to its new alumni. In the coming months, Green Dot’s College Persistence Team will work closely with these graduates to ensure they continue to have the support needed to succeed on their new campuses. The soon-to-be college freshmen will be paired with Green Dot University Mentors, college sophomores and juniors who also graduated from Green Dot schools, and offer social and emotional support to their newly enrolled peers on campus.
The College Persistence Team also works with Alumni Champions, a group of Green Dot teachers and counselors who help our new college freshmen navigate the registration process and the many nuances of life on a college campus. These supports, practices and programs are designed to engender student success, helping them to concentrate on academic goals in their new environments.
Green Dot has an unwavering commitment to our students and their growth, even if they no longer walk our halls.
We are proud and inspired by the Class of 2017, and we look forward to staying closely connected to them in the next phase of their academic journeys.
