The test scores of graduating high school seniors in Idaho are respectable, said Cezar Mesquita, director of admissions at the University of Idaho. That”s why it”s especially surprising that Idaho has the lowest rate of students pursuing a higher education in the country, he said.
That”s what UI hopes to address with Enroll Idaho, a new statewide initiative focused on increasing the number of Idaho high school students going on to college.
Mesquita said university faculty, alumni and ambassadors will host events at 43 sites across Idaho Nov. 10 to try to send a clear message to Idaho seniors.
“A college education is a great option,” Mesquita said. “And the University of Idaho is a great place to get one.”
That”s why Heather Pekus, a counselor at Salmon High School in Salmon, Idaho, said she was so happy when UI reached out to her about hosting an Enroll Idaho event at her high school.
“Salmon is relatively isolated,” Pekus said. “We take any chance we get to expose (students) to colleges and universities, or any sort of higher education.”
She said she”s optimistic after watching a majority of the 2014-2015 Salmon senior class go on to college. Pekus said she thinks it depends on the class, but she said her school still does what it can to encourage students, whether through a community scholarship fund or events like Enroll Idaho.
“I think it will be a valuable opportunity for students to pursue their education,” Pekus said.
Mesquita said there is no single reason why high school students choose not to go onto college. He said economic factors, academic preparation and cultural or social components can all play a role into the decision.
He said he hopes the initiative will address the broader needs of all Idaho high school students.
Mesquita said Enroll Idaho is part of UI President Chuck Staben”s goal to increase enrollment by 50 percent by 2025. Since this is the first year UI will hold Enroll Idaho events, this year will be used as a benchmark for years to come.
Mesquita said Staben wanted Enroll Idaho to be less UI-focused than other recruitment events. Instead, he said the goal of the initiative is to educate graduating seniors about the opportunities any higher education institution offers.
The Enroll Idaho events will line up with the first direct admissions letters sent to Idaho graduating seniors, Mesquita said.
“This could be significant,” Mesquita said of the enrollment impact he hopes to see with Enroll Idaho and the direct admissions initiative. “There”s no question that by deploying an enrollment plan we hope to achieve certain results.”
Direct admissions letters are sent to seniors before they begin the college application process. Using GPA, SAT and ACT scores, the State Board of Education determines which Idaho public school students would be admitted to if they were to apply. The goal is to show Idaho students they have the opportunity to succeed if they submit applications to Idaho colleges and universities.
Staben pitched the direct admissions initiative to the State Board of Education last spring and it was approved unanimously earlier this year. This will be the first year students are informed of their direct admissions.
Mesquita said both direct admissions and Enroll Idaho will continue to receive feedback and improve in the coming years.
Hannah Shirley can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @itshannah7