A number of individuals accepted an invite from Arkansas Tech College’s Deidra Dillard to current and talk about their expertise on the 2023 ATU First Technology Institute throughout this system’s closing ceremony on Thursday, June Eight.
A type of audio system captured the spirit of the occasion and left Dillard with an indelible reminiscence.
“Many had been keen to speak, and that alone made my coronary heart so completely happy,” stated Dillard, who serves as ATU’s first-generation pupil expertise coordinator. “However one pupil specifically, Jazmin Zapata, talked about how this expertise made her really feel seen, included, and a part of one thing, and he or she hadn’t felt that earlier than.”
The ATU First Technology Institute gives rising highschool college students who wish to develop into the primary technology of their household to attend school with a preview of what it is prefer to be an Arkansas Tech pupil. ATU has provided the institute each summer season since 2019. Twenty-six rising highschool graduates accomplished the 2023 program.
The precise goals of the three-day ATU First Technology Institute embrace offering individuals with the chance to work together with present ATU college students, uncover tutorial alternatives, achieve a greater understanding of life as a college pupil, study methods to- and finance training and uncover methods to become involved outdoors the classroom.
“Each pupil got here ready and keen to embrace the whole lot we had deliberate for them,” Dillard stated. “Every individual walked away understanding another person they’d have by no means crossed paths with in any other case. When college students had been shocked with their acceptance letter and their first scholarship, there wasn’t a dry eye within the constructing. Telephone calls and FaceTimes had been made, images had been taken, and messages had been despatched to their family and friends members to point out off their accomplishments. Actually, I will always remember that second and the way it made me really feel.”
Study extra in regards to the ATU First Technology Institute at www.atu.edu/firstgen/fgeninstitute.php.
College students who graduated from the ATU First Technology Institute 2023 are listed beneath:
- Andrew Bokker of Rogers
- Hayden Brunt of Scorching Springs
- Yxallana Chavez of Dumas
- Zoe Figley of Hartman
- Darby Fisk of Scorching Springs
- Alyssa Godat of Yellville
- Taylor Houck from Ashdown
- Alasyia Jackson from Ashdown
- Jamie Johnston of Horseshoe Bend
- Aryanna King of Paris
- Bailey Marlow of Lamar
- Hailey Might from Horseshoe Bend
- Nacole Nahlen of Dover
- Kraigen Partee of Mountain House
- Alondra Ramirez-Sgromo of North Little Rock
- Alice Regalado of Warren
- Chasity Rice of Leslie
- Juana Ruiz from El Dorado
- Camira Selvy in Conway
- Autumn Simrell of Garfield
- Crystal Solorzano of Siloam Springs
- Emma Stewart of North Little Rock
- Clara Strickland of Jacksonville
- Maria Torres of Springdale
- Pea Ridge’s Tristen Williams
- Jazmin Zapata from El Dorado
