TXST Work Study program helps SMCISD students get to college

The prospect of applying for college and financial aid can be daunting for high school students approaching graduation. But at San Marcos High School, help is available from Texas State University students with their own recent experiences of transitioning from high school to college.

Texas State has collaborated with San Marcos High School for 12 years through the Work Study Mentorship Program. (WSMP). Through the program, TXST students in work-study jobs provide information to high school students and their families about the college experience, including, college application process, scholarship and financial aid applications, standardized test registration, and other aspects of enrolling as a new student.

“We recruit screen, deploy, and monitor workstudy mentor students at the College Go- Center at San Marcos High “explained Dr. Rosina Valle, WSMP specialist.

“In addition, we assist in training the college mentors and other school-personnel on the mission of the WSMP program and the services that workstudy mentors can provide.”

Valle is a graduate of San Marcos High School and-a retiree of the San Marcos Consolidated School District where she worked for over 35 years. Having earned two degrees from Texas State, one from Sul-Ross University, Valle shares her own experiences as a first generation college student with the high school students.

She along with four siblings all graduated South-West Texas State (now Texas State).

“Our parents repeatedly reminded us, “There’s no excuse not to go to college-Texas State is in our backyard” Valle said.

The WSMP is designed to improve student access to higher education by counseling students about the college admission process, and supporting interventions that increase the completion of degrees or certificates.

Mentors work at San Marcos High School for up to 20 hours a week at the College and Career Center under the supervision of Grace Delgadillo.

During her studies at TXST, Delgadillo served as a student employee in the SMHS College & Career Center. Delgadillo oversees the mentor program and trains college mentors to assist students and families with the multiple steps in the college application process. Being a first- generation college student herself, she understands the importance of assisting and educating families of all their post-secondary options and resources.

“The Texas State WSMP has been an essential asset to the San Marcos High School community over the past decade,” Delgadillo said. “Having college students at SMHS who have recently gone through the college application process themselves offers valuable guidance to our students who themselves seek assistance with the college application process and all the other steps in between” she said.

Continuing to address gaps in educational opportunity and achievement among diverse learners remain WSMP’s goal. Engagement and collaboration are necessary to succeed in college and career Valle said.

Nick Weimer, associate dean of the University College at TXST, adds that the WSMP is made possible by funding from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. “This program provides excellent employment opportunities for our students and allows them the opportunity to gain and strengthen career readiness skills while serving as a mentor to high school students, he said.”

As a result, we are improving and increasing access, success, and completion of higher education for the next generation of Texas students.”

To learn more about the Work Study Mentorship Program, contact Dr. Rosina Valle at Rv1073@txstate. edu.