Starting in September 2017, the program will work with the Providence and Pawtucket public school districts

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Roger Williams UniversityDOCS@RWUFeatured News Story The Week at Roger1-17-2017RWU First in RI to Partner with Gateway toCollege to Help High School Dropouts EarnCollege DegreesPublic Affairs, Roger Williams UniversityFollow this and additional works at: https://docs.rwu.edu/weekatroger_featured_newsPart of the Higher Education CommonsThis News Article is brought to you for free and open access by the The Week at Roger at DOCS@RWU. It has been accepted for inclusion in FeaturedNews Story by an authorized administrator of DOCS@RWU. For more information, please contact mwu@rwu.edu.Recommended CitationPublic Affairs, Roger Williams University, "RWU First in RI to Partner with Gateway to College to Help High School Dropouts EarnCollege Degrees" (2017). Featured News Story. 346.https://docs.rwu.edu/weekatroger_featured_news/34611/20/2018 RWU First in RI to Partner with Gateway to College to Help High School Dropouts Earn College Degrees | Roger Williams Universityhttps://www.rwu.edu/news/news-archive/rwu-first-ri-partner-gateway-college-help-high-school-dropouts-earn-college-degrees 1/3 News ArchiveRWU First in RI to Partner with Gateway to Collegeto Help High School Dropouts Earn CollegeDegreesStarting in September 2017, the program will work with the Providence andPawtucket public school districtsAt RWU's School of Continuing Studies, high school drop-outs fromthe Providence and Pawtucket public school systems will beprovided a path to earning both a high school diploma and anassociate's degree through a new partnership with the Gateway toCollege National Network.January 17, 2017 Public A airs Sta PROVIDENCE, R.I.  – Roger Williams University will become the  rst university in Rhode Island topartner with the Gateway to College National Network, o ering former high school dropouts aclear path to securing both a high school diploma and an associate’s degree.Starting in September 2017, the partnership plans to begin with students from the Providence andPawtucket public school systems. Students will complete their high school and college-level coursework in the School of Continuing Studies at RWU’s new Providence campus, at One Empire St.Gateway to College programs operate at 39 colleges in 20 states around the country. But this willmark the  rst time Gateway to College has partnered with a university in Rhode Island and only thesecond time it has partnered with a private university.11/20/2018 RWU First in RI to Partner with Gateway to College to Help High School Dropouts Earn College Degrees | Roger Williams Universityhttps://www.rwu.edu/news/news-archive/rwu-first-ri-partner-gateway-college-help-high-school-dropouts-earn-college-degrees 2/3Based in Portland, Ore., Gateway to College is providing a $150,000 planning grant for RWU tolaunch the program in Rhode Island. Through Gateway to College, students who have dropped outof high school or are signi cantly o  track complete their high school diplomas at college-basedprograms while simultaneously earning college credits toward a postsecondary credential.“As a private university serving a public purpose, it was easy for us to decide on a partnershipbetween Roger Williams University and Gateway to College,” said RWU President Donald J. Farish.“We will be working with Providence and Pawtucket school districts to reintegrate high schooldropouts back into the educational pipeline, in order to help them earn the skills and credentialsnecessary to succeed in today’s knowledge economy. We have to give these young people hope —a er all, ‘Hope’ is our state’s motto!”“We’re proud to launch our  rst program in Rhode Island, and excited to see an additional pathwayto high school graduation and a postsecondary credential for young people in the state,” accordingto Emmily Froimson, president of the Gateway to College National Network.“I am thrilled to be partnering with Gateway to College to bring this program to Rhode Island.” saidJamie Scurry, dean of RWU’s School of Continuing Education. “The conversation started in 2012 andnearly  ve years later, here we are preparing for launching Gateway to College with the Providenceand Pawtucket school districts.”Students are o en told that a high school diploma is preferred to a GED, but when some studentsstruggle, their choices are limited, Scurry said. “There are too few options that meaningfully lead toa high school diploma and simultaneously put students on a pathway to an associate’s degree, allwhile holistically addressing obstacles that many students face in their educational journey. Thisprogram, like all of what we do at the SCS, is based on thoughtful partnership, shared ethos and acommitment to meeting students (and families) where they are in their individual and collectivepursuits.”“Some high school students experience unforeseen circumstances, life events and other barriersthat can disrupt their pathway to graduation,” said Christopher Maher, superintendent of theProvidence school district. “The Providence Public School District is excited to work with RogerWilliams University and the Gateway to College National Network to help these young people earntheir degrees and get back on the track to success.”“Our teachers have worked diligently to improve our high school graduation rates and the resultshave been remarkable,” said Patricia DiCenso, superintendent of the Pawtucket school district.“Although we have made great gains by preparing more graduates, we are not at 100 percent.”So the district strives to  nd opportunities that allow every child to complete their high schooldiploma, and RWU has worked with the district on programs and professional development forstudents and sta , DiCenso added. “We are honored to partner again with RWU and The GatewayProgram as we provide another alternative that will capture the interest and passion of students toachieve their high school diploma. Flexible scheduling, creative curriculum and supportive sta  areall bene ts for us to o er students another path to their goals and dreams.”11/20/2018 RWU First in RI to Partner with Gateway to College to Help High School Dropouts Earn College Degrees | Roger Williams Universityhttps://www.rwu.edu/news/news-archive/rwu-first-ri-partner-gateway-college-help-high-school-dropouts-earn-college-degrees 3/3ACADEMICS SCHOOL OF CONTINUING STUDIES

RWU First in RI to Partner with Gateway to College to Help High School Dropouts Earn College Degrees

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RWU First in RI to Partner with Gateway to College to Help High School Dropouts Earn College Degrees

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