You're a Role Model, and You Know It!
by Paul D. Rosevear

You're the leader of the pack, girl -- get out there, take control of your college experience, and the rest will follow! Take note of The Center for Excellence in Education, for example -- it's all about promoting the sharp-minded leader in you. Its Role Models Program (RMP) can even help you get a grip on your girl power. Created in 1992, RMP encourages minority and/or economically disadvantaged high school students to pursue higher education and careers in science, technology, and business.

"The purpose of the program is to nurture students who are interested in science, technology, and business, as well as help them work on their résumés and prepare a career portfolio," says Maite Ballestro, program director. "We encourage students to consider a lot of options, so they find what they really want to do with their lives." Confidence and poise come from knowing what you want, and knowing how to get it -- but you know that already!

Laura, the face of a role model.

Each year, approximately 80-100 students participate in the program, which consists of 20 Saturday sessions. Last year, Laura Rodriguez, who will be attending the University of Virginia (Charlottesville, VA) in the fall, was one of them. "I'm so happy I participated," she says. "It was one of the best things I ever did, and I felt like I grew as a person."

RMP sessions cover the college application process, career development, business technology skills, and advanced science curricula, all things needed to get a go-girl like yourself prepared for the challenges ahead. "We had guest speakers come talk to us about their educational and professional backgrounds, and we would take notes and discuss with one another," says Laura. "There was such a wide variety of speakers, from the dean of mathematics at George Mason University (Fairfax, VA), Dr. Struppa, to an astronaut."

Field trips, PSAT/SAT review, parents' sessions, and exciting and challenging experiences are all part of the RMP. "I think we more than meet our objectives," says Ballestro. "We introduce students to people they would not have an opportunity to meet as high school students, we explore the college application process and have them prepare their personal statement, and we expose students to the myriad of possibilities available in the world." And as we all know, knowledge is power when used effectively.

So what will it take to get a piece of the power? "Students complete an application form, and a selection committee comprised of teachers, civic leaders, and scientists review their applications," says Ballestro. "I found the essays to be the most challenging, yet rewarding part of the whole process," says Laura. "I really like writing."

The government seems to feel that RMP isn't too shabby either, as it was one of six national programs that received commendations by the U.S. Department of Labor and Education. "We received recognition for our work to encourage students to pursue careers and prepare themselves for the workforce," says Ballestro.