Elon University will launch the Elon Academy in summer 2007, an intensive enrichment and leadership development program for academically talented students in the Alamance-Burlington school system who may not be considering higher education. details...
The goal is to inspire and empower the students to attend four-year colleges or universities, and go on to assume leadership roles in their communities.
Rising sophomores from Cummings, Eastern Alamance, Graham, Southern Alamance, Western Alamance and Williams high schools may apply for enrollment. Eligible students must have a desire to succeed and be willing to commit to the three-year program, must demonstrate academic promise, have no pattern of disciplinary problems and demonstrate financial need and/or have no family history of college.
Each summer, 20-24 rising sophomores will be admitted to the Elon Academy, and they will continue with the program until their high school graduation. By the third year of the program, a total of about 70 students will be enrolled in the Academy. All students will be enrolled in the Elon Academy at no cost.
“The Elon Academy has the potential to be transformative for the students, for the local community and for the university,” says Leo M. Lambert, Elon University President. “By sustaining our support of these local high school students we will be enhancing the chances that these young people will complete college, return to our community and become local leaders.”
The Elon Academy is modeled after similar programs at Princeton, Furman and Vanderbilt universities. The year-around program will combine three intensive four-week summer residential experiences at Elon University with a variety of academic and enrichment activities throughout the school year.
The summer program will include challenging curricular, co-curricular and cultural experiences as well as leadership training, service projects, personal development classes and college planning. These experiences will be planned and implemented by teams of Elon faculty and staff, high school faculty and undergraduate and graduate students.
To ensure the success of the students, Elon will provide staff, mentors, sponsors, and advocates who will be available throughout the year to offer sustained support, resources and encouragement. Staff involved with the program will maintain contact with the students through at least the second year of college.
Through the Elon Academy, Elon University is making a long-term commitment to the educational needs of the community. During the next several months, Elon will be further developing details of the program, coordinating efforts with the Alamance-Burlington School System, and seeking financial support for the Elon Academy from individuals, businesses, foundations and organizations. By building an endowment for the program, Elon will ensure that these opportunities will be available for talented and deserving youth for years to come.
For more information about the Elon Academy, contact academy director Richard Mihans at (336) 278-5861.