JAG high school students experience college life at VU

August 25, 2023

VINCENNES, Ind. - High school students often wonder what college is really like. A group of Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) students from throughout Indiana had an extraordinary opportunity to take college for a test drive recently, enjoying a week living the life of students at Vincennes University.

Students at the fifth annual VU JAG Summer Academy immersed themselves in the college experience on the Vincennes Campus. They lived in a residence hall, dined at the Tecumseh Dining Center, participated in social activities, toured the campus, explored the many options available to them at VU, and spent time in classrooms learning key college success strategies such as time management, note-taking, test-taking strategies, and maximizing campus resources.

The academy is open to high schoolers enrolled in JAG programs in Indiana. JAG is a state-based, national organization committed to supporting young people of great promise and focuses on helping them reach economic and academic success.

“The JAG Summer Academy was a great way of meeting new people and expanding my understanding of what it takes to succeed in college,” said Brown County High School student Alyssa Schrader. “I am definitely coming back next year!”

VU is proud to offer the academy in addition to transportation, meals, residence hall accommodations, and activities at no cost to students and their families.

“The JAG Summer Academy is a gateway to success,” VU JAG College Success Program Manager Shaun Brames said. “We’re not just preparing students for higher education. We are cultivating the skills that will shape their futures.”

The week was a combination of fun and learning.

The new high school graduates earned college credit for completed coursework, while high school seniors learned more about teamwork, leadership, and planning for college.

Students enjoyed a jam-packed schedule of entertaining activities, including a scavenger hunt, campus tour, and outdoor water activities. A major highlight was a free trip to Holiday World and Splashin’ Safari in Santa Claus, Indiana. Students also competed in the JAG Olympics, a series of “minute to win it” teambuilding competitions, and toured the Vincennes state historic sites near campus. VU President Dr. Chuck Johnson was the keynote speaker at an awards ceremony honoring the students.

“The JAG Summer Academy was really fun,” said 2023 Pike Central High School graduate and VU freshman Zxaimian Curtis. “I made new friends, and on top of that, I even earned college credit.”

Learn more about the VU College Success Program.

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