Colquitt County School District is partnering with the Georgia College Advising Corp (GCAC) to increase the number of college-going graduates each year. GCAC works in high schools throughout Georgia to increase the number of low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented students who attend and complete college. According to the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement data, 55% of the graduating class of 2021 enrolled in post-secondary education, including technical colleges, public and private in-state colleges, and some out-of-state colleges. 28.4% of that class is listed as employed based on Department of Labor data, while 16.4% are unknown.

High School Principal Dan Chappuis began seeking to have every senior employed, enrolled, or enlisted by graduation when he came to the District in 2021. The partnership with GCAC is one of many avenues he is exploring to make this a reality. “We are excited about the opportunity to partner with GCAC,” stated Chappuis. “This program will be an advantage for our students in the college admissions process.”

The GCAC program recruits and hires a college advisor to be placed in the high school for two-year terms. The program has been in Georgia since 2009 and serves 21 high schools. GCAC uses a near-peer mentor model by hiring recent college graduates to serve as advisors. “We are thrilled to enter this partnership with the Colquitt County School District,” shared Brook Thompson, Program Director. “We hope that by providing a college adviser at the high school, we can help more students navigate the complex college admissions and financial aid process and, ultimately, enroll in a post-secondary institution.”

The college advisor is a paid position that includes an annual living allowance, health, dental and vision insurance, and an AmeriCorps Educational Award. The advisor will receive a month-long all-expense-paid training through GCAC in Athens in July 2023 before beginning in Colquitt in August 2023. Throughout the year, the advisor will travel back to Athens for additional training and have weekly check-ins with a GCAC staff member. The advisor will work with high school counselors to help high school seniors complete college applications, scholarship applications, and other items needed to plan post-secondary choices.

According to the GCAC website, during the 2021-2022 school year, their advisors tracked more than 18,000 college applications, helped more than 3000 students complete their FAFSA, and arranged more than 14,000 one-on-one advising sessions with seniors. The position with GCAC and the high school is now taking applications. Interested persons should visit www.uga.jobsearch.com and look for job #298896.