The Accessibility Of Higher Education

Life experiences, both personal and academic have shaped my strong belief in the accessibility of higher education to all students. The societal benefits associated with attaining a higher education are undeniable it is disappointing there are such striking inequalities in who is granted access to college. As a student of the public school system it became clear there was a type of student who was given access to higher education. This student was usually upper middle class, white; having little or no behavioral or mental health issues and excelled in academics. Conversely, students of color, low income, behaviorally challenged and those struggling academically are not given the tools to pursue higher education. As a Latina first generation college student I am an exception to the fate that is all too common for many of my peers. For this reason, accessibility to higher education has become an important issue to …show more content…
I created an informational presentation about the community college opportunities in the surrounding area. I included: popular majors offered, demographics, distance from Santa Cruz and cost. After the presentation some students demonstrated genuine interest in pursuing a higher education - I was able to answer student’s questions that ranging from financial aid to the task of balancing schoolwork and a social life. If I had the opportunity to repeat this project I would contact local community colleges to assemble more in depth information and seek the possibility of guest speakers. In doing so, I believe the students would have received a more tailored presentation with more opportunities to ask questions. My undergraduate career, my personal experiences in public education as well as those of my brother have led me to become an advocate for higher education. I strongly hold the belief that everyone should have the accessibility and the support needed when applying to