North Hennepin Community College has started a new academic initiative dubbed the "Cornerstones Scholars Program (CSP)". This program is funded by a MNSCU (Minnesota State Colleges and Universities) grant, and is designed to help certain types of student plan and prepare for college. During the summer "bridge" program that CSP runs, participants were given opportunities to take certain college classes to earn credit for free, visit colleges, take trips to the Guthrie Theater, and participate in community projects.
Other activities that are available to CSP students are:
- Preparing for the transition to college.
- Exploring interests and careers.
- Learning about scholarship opportunities.
- Receiving mentoring and tutoring.
- Developing study skills.
- Fun learning activities and events.
CSP is designed primarily for minority students, first generation college students, students from low-income backgrounds, and those that are academically underprepared for college, but generally no one is turned away as long as they have a genuine interest in going to college and have been nominated by a teacher. PC senior Abdul Titilope(right), one of the first Cornerstone students, says: "The program accepted anyone with a sincere interest in going to college the first year and is still looking to grow." As of right now, the program does not offer scholarships but North Hennepin's Director of High School Transitions, Mark Tracy, says he hopes that they will be able to soon. Meetings on how to best utilize existing financial aid are available however. These meetings teach students how to properly prepare themselves for college financially. As one CSP student, Randy Phraviseth said, "After a few CSP meetings 
I began to realize that I could pay for college with financial aid. I thought I would have to take out huge loans to pay for college, but I got grants that I don't have to pay back!"
This year there are 10 Park Center students and 10 Osseo students enrolled in the program. A grant from PC Cultural Liason Tony Khang and his department fund the costs for transporting students to North Hennepin. Students from Brooklyn Center and Champlin Park also attended the summer program. Out of the eight seniors that were in the program last year, seven are currently attending college. Although this is an excellent success rate, Mark Tracy wishes to have 100% of CSP students attending college after graduation in the future. The Cornerstones program is currently trying to grow at Park Center as well as expand to other schools. If you know of a student that you believe is capable of succeeding in college but feels they are unable to attend classes beyond high school, please nominate them.
If you wish to sign up or nominate somebody for the Cornerstones Scholars Program you may pick up application forms in the Career Resource Center at PC. If you have any questions regarding the program, please email program director, Mark Tracy or call (763)-488-0486.
-Brad Erickson