Sample blog posts
Background
Another great way to spread the word about your new student success strategies is to post to your community college’s blog.
There are many ways to make your blog posts effective. You could write one blog giving an overview of all of the coming strategies and then another follow up that highlights one or two success stories that come out of the strategies. Another option would be to do a series where each post focuses on one strategy, highlighting the issue, the new approach, and the benefits that come from implementing the new strategy. Always be sure to include links to any programs or resources for students or staff in the body of the blog posts.
Below are two sample blog posts that can be used as examples for your community college.
Sample One: New Financial Aid Program Simplifies Process, Encourages Degree Completion
We know our students have big goals for themselves and their education. Attending college, even part time as most of our students do, is a big financial commitment. The cost of higher education has crept up over the years and our policymakers have not kept pace with the needs of our colleges and our students. While attending community college is an outstanding investment strategy for both students and society, we need to all we can to ensure that enough funding exists to support our students’ ability to complete their degrees.
In an effort to combat the financial burden of college, [Community College] counselors have implemented a new early college counseling program [link to program information] that directly assists high school students and prospective adult students in obtaining financial aid. Through the program, prospective students and parents can work with our staff to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, and apply for other financial aid opportunities at [Community College]. Counselors will also educate students about specific financial aid programs at [Community College], including our incentive program for degree completion. To help offset the cost of tuition, our Office of Financial Aid will also help students get connected to local resources including child care subsidies, food assistance and tax credits.
Whether you are a senior in high school or seeking to advance in your career, we know that navigating the college admissions process can be daunting enough without the added stress of applying for financial aid on your own. Our counselors are determined not just to raise awareness about the importance of the FAFSA and financial aid, but also to give students easy ways to complete the process and move forward on their pathway towards a degree. If you have questions about these changes or if you’d like to schedule a meeting with a financial aid counselor, please visit [Insert place].
Sample Two: Is community college the right choice for you? [Community College] student [Joe Smith] shares his story.
Meet [Joe Smith]. Just three years ago, he was a high school senior approaching graduation day, wondering what was next for him. Today Joe has an associate degree from [Community College] and a full-time job. We caught up with Joe yesterday to ask him a few questions about why he chose community college as a stepping stone to his career:
CC: Hi Joe, thanks for sitting down to talk with us today. We know there are a lot of people out there looking at the economy today, seeing alarmingly high unemployment rates, and wondering how they can get the job they need to support themselves and their families. In this environment, why did you choose to go to community college?
Joe: Actually, when I was a senior in high school, I was asking myself the same questions. And I got the answer when [Community College] came and spoke at my school. The [Community College] rep told me about their unique enrollment program and made it easy to understand the financing options that would make getting a degree affordable. They explained that from the second I walked through the doors of [Community College], I would be connected with a guidance counselor who would support me from day one to graduation and on to my first job. That’s when I knew that community college was the right next step to reach the career I wanted.
CC: [Community College] is a big campus with a lot of students who all have different goals and needs. What if you were not a high school student, but a working parent or someone with a few years of job experience but who wants to pursue a different career? Would you still choose community college?
Joe: Definitely. [Community College] has really great systems in place to ensure that each student has the support they need to complete their degree and transition into the career they want. From my first day on campus I was meeting regularly with my faculty mentor. We mapped out a student progress plan together and checked in on it each semester to make sure I was taking the right courses at the right pace to reach my goal of completing my degree. When I told her I would be juggling my classes with a part-time job, she helped me enroll in the Accelerated Associate Program, where I could fit my class schedule to my job, and study mornings, evenings and online until I completed my degree.
CC: It sounds like you’ve had a great experience. As you were working toward your degree, how did you know it would lead to the career you wanted?
Joe: That’s a great question. My guidance counselor set me up with the Career Center at [Community College] early on so I could speak with their counselors. Thanks to the partnerships [Community College] built with local businesses, they knew the types of jobs that were available and the training employers were looking for. With this information, they helped me map out my course plan with stackable credentials and the right internship opportunities to make sure that when I graduated, I would be a great fit for the positions these companies were seeking to fill. As you can see, [Community College] supported me from day one through graduation day so I could complete the degree I needed for the career I wanted. And the best part is, because [Community College] puts so much emphasis on tracking students’ progress, I know that I can always come back to get additional training that will help me advance in my career, and they will be able to help me build on the classes I’ve already taken.
CC: That’s great to hear, Joe. Thanks for sharing with us. For more information on how [Community College] can help you give you the knowledge and skills you need for today’s jobs, please contact our admission office: [insert place].
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