This session delves into the Early College Application Support Model developed at Wake Young Men’s Leadership Academy, which was specifically designed to increase First-Generation College Students' (FGCS) completion rates of early college applications.  Participants will gain insight into the structured, hands-on approach that addresses common barriers such as lack of awareness, insufficient guidance, and limited resources.  The model leverages strategic interventions, including one-on-one mentorship and application workshops to create a pathway for success.  Through interactive discussions and practical tools, attendees will leave equipped to implement a tailored support system for FGCS in their own schools or districts.

In this showcase, attendees will learn about the Seminar Program that is implemented at the Early College of Forsyth in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.  This program was created to provide academic support for students as they navigate completing their high school and college courses. In the past five years, the program has added social-emotional learning as a component of the curriculum to support the whole student.  The presenter will highlight the curriculum that has been created for students’ Sophomore year.

The power of any network lies in building strong connections among members. During this role-alike networking session, join peers and colleagues to connect around role-alike discussion of topics important to your work in the early college ecosystem through a facilitated networking conversation.

Consistent with Next Generation Early College principles to create an environment that supports the social and emotional learning of all students, this session will introduce participants to a framework for translating mindfulness into interactions with students in a manner that strengthens  school climate, creates meaningful connections with students, and assists students in managing stress and regulating emotions.  Practices will be drawn from the Be CALM program, developed in NC in partnership with several Early College High Schools, which is showing positive impact on both teachers and students.  Resources and opportunities for research-based involvement with the program will be shared.

This session will introduce participants to the Experiential Science course, a dynamic and engaging approach to science education that emphasizes hands-on learning through direct application of science and engineering practices.  The session will showcase how students can engage with local real-world problems, explore scientific concepts in meaningful ways, and build essential skills.