The Ivy Tech Community College-Columbus program “English As a Second Language, Hope As a First” has been nominated by the Community College Futures Assembly for its Bellwether Award.
The Community College Futures Assembly is an independent, public policy forum, sponsored by the Institute of Higher Education of the University of Florida. The purpose of the assembly is to identify critical issues facing community colleges and to recognize and competitively select for its Bellwether Awards outstanding and innovative programs that other colleges might find worthy of replicating.
“English As a Second Language, Hope As a First” was a cultural diversity service learning project, funded in the fall of 2007 by a Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) from the Heritage Fund, through which Ivy Tech English students met with English as a Second Language (ESL) students at North High School. The program was initiated by Roger Bingham, Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs at Ivy Tech-Columbus.
The purpose of the program was (1) to provide an opportunity for Columbus North High School ESL students to practice their English speaking skills, (2) to bring to Ivy Tech students a greater awareness of the diverse cultures in Columbus, and (3) to present and underscore the idea to the ESL students, who often struggle in their educational pursuits, that post-secondary education is both achievable and necessary to be successful in life.
Selection criteria for the Bellwether Award emphasize the importance of partnerships between community colleges, the regional K-20 continuum, and community organizations. The program was a partnership of Ivy Tech-Columbus, Columbus North High School, and The Heritage Fund. Finalists for the award will be invited to present at the 2010 Assembly, which will be held January 23-26 in Orlando, Florida.