2024 Collaborative Network for Engineering & Computing Diversity (CoNECD)

Rowan University's Opportunity for Postsecondary Excellence and Success (R.O.P.E.S) program is funded by the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education and the U.S. Department of Education. This grant falls under the “Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund II: Opportunity Meets Innovation Challenge (OMIS)” and is awarded in connection with the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, 2021, (“CRRSA Act”). Our goal is to facilitate pathways to college through a new dual enrollment program for high school juniors in rural and urban school districts across South Jersey to support a seamless transition and successful matriculation to postsecondary education. Our program also offer opportunities to increase students' success and enhanced workforce readiness by exposing students to five broad career pathways. We provide strategies throughout the program to help students in Black, Latinx, and Indigenous communities achieve their full potential. The objectives of the R.O.P.E.S program are as follows:
1. Promote opportunities for student success and enhanced workforce readiness in career fields such as computer science, engineering, music business, social services, and teacher education.
2. Engage students in experiential activities, develop relationships with Rowan faculty and staff, and connect with student success services.
3. Provide customizable plans for career exploration ensuring equity and opportunities for local low-income students living and attending high school in surrounding schools/districts.
4. Integrate social and emotional learning strategies that will lead to improved educational experiences and ease students’ transition to college.
One hundred students were selected for participation in this program. Participating students were allowed to pursue fields of study that included:
Teacher Education, Social Services, Computer Science, Engineering, and Music Business. Students enrolled in dual credit online courses, and participated in a two week summer workshop for college readiness. This paper and presentation will focus on the orchestration of this program and the impact on the students who participated from South Jersey School districts.