Building Bridges to High School

By UA News Services February 12, 2004

This Friday, the University of Arizona Eller College of Business and Public Administration will start its early outreach initiative at Tucson Amphitheater Middle School. Collaborating with the Rodel Foundation of Arizona, the Eller College program will help students make the sometimes difficult transition from middle school to high school and promote higher education among the most challenged youth.

The Rodel Foundation of Arizona is a private philanthropic foundation dedicated to improving Arizona education system. Under the program, Eller College juniors and seniors will work as mentors with seven eighth-grade classes at Amphitheater Middle School.

The goal is to expose economically disadvantaged students to careers and higher education opportunities. Students will learn basic budgeting, link education to potential earnings, research job opportunities, identify relevant high school classes and reinforce basic reading, writing and math skills. Later, they will continue their career exploration through job shadowing, volunteering and internships.

The Eller College created the Rodel Pipeline for Excellence program with support from the Rodel Foundation of Arizona. The program selects exceptional undergraduates as mentors who work with local middle and elementary students with limited resources and opportunities, and keep them in school and focused on education and advanced training.

"Support from the Rodel Foundation gives us the opportunity to share the exceptional business and career skills of some our most community-minded students with local Tucson schools. With ongoing resources, we hope to extend this program to more K-8 students in our Tucson community," said Pam Perry, associate dean of undergraduate programs in the Eller College.

Charles Bermudez, principal of Amphitheater Middle School said, "We couldn't be more pleased to participate in this initiative with Eller College students. This type of mentoring from college students is what helps middle school students set career goals, stay on track and ultimately achieve them."

Editors Note:Reporters are invited to attend. Students at this event will develop budgeting and team building skills while constructing bridges out of household items. It starts at 11:30 a.m. at Amphitheater Middle School, 315 East Prince Road. Photos from the event will be available by contacting Stacey Lippert at 520-621-3698.

Et Cetera