Spring 2012
EIP MAGAZINE
Coming Up Summer Academy July 9 – July 27 Alumni Weekend Registration Opens August 1 Regular Fall Semester Programming Alumni Weekend October 5 – 7 EIP 25th Anniversary October 6
George Mason University 4400 University Drive MSN 2A7 Fairfax, VA 22030 P 703-993-3120 F 703-993-3128 eip@gmu.edu eip.gmu.edu
3. Positive Impact 4. Dare 2 Lead 5. Cover Story 6. Hot Topics 7. Social Media 8. Rebrand Project 9. Brand Blueprint 10. The Next Event
The Inspiration of Khaseem Davis Cover story, p. 5 Cover Story, p. 4
A Tradition of Excellence
Progress. Innovation. Strategy.
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EIP Magazine is an official internal publication of Early Identification Program (EIP). Established in 1987, EIP serves as the college preparatory program of George Mason University (Fairfax, Virginia). With over 1,000 EIP Alumni (graduates of the program), EIP provides access to educational resources, social programming, and leadership development for students eighth- through twelfth-grade who will be the first in their families to attend a college or university. In its 25th year, EIP celebrates its Silver Anniversary as a milestone in the legacy of protecting educational access. EIP Magazine has been established to track, promote, and celebrate the progresses, innovations, and strategies of the program as well as spotlight individual student success and noteworthy events that are a testament to vision of EIP. To subscribe to EIP Magazine click the SUBSCRIBE icon in the top left corner or visit the EIP website at http://eip.gmu.edu.
MAGAZINE Spring 2012
Positive Impact “Mr. Lewis” By Rhina Ascencio and Laydy Reyes, EIP Staff
EIP
In Summer 2010, Lewis E. Forrest, II accepted the challenge to become the new Executive Director of Early Identification Program (EIP). A program rich in tradition and legacy, Lewis embraced the challenge head on, embodying the notion of Patriot Pride and the George Mason University motto: Where Innovation is Tradition. Having once served as the Associate Director, Lewis led with unique insight into the needs of the program. At the start of his term, he was determined to accelerate EIP to the next level as a major contributor in the fight for equal access to higher education. In collaboration with staff, he focused on building relationships on and off campus, which peaked support from donors, garnered stronger partnerships with school districts, encouraged greater involvement by students and parents, and secured long-term funding for EIP. Lewis E. Forrest II “Mr. Lewis” takes time every single day to converse, joke, and laugh with staff and students in the EIP office––one of the many reasons his impact is far-reaching.
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“Lewis is a visionary leader, mentor, and friend who makes genuine connections with students and staff. So it made sense when GMU honored him in this Spring with the University Life Positive Impact Award.” For us, “Mr. Lewis” has had the greatest impact right here in our office. EIP is a family; and like a close uncle, Lewis has watched many of us (EIP Alumni) graduate from childhood to adulthood. He has seen us blossom and mature into scholars and professionals. Mr. Lewis projects his positive outlook onto others, strives to deliver quality programs, and inspires students to realize the academic dreams they once thought unattainable. Leading EIP into its 25th year, we are now more able than ever to Inspire Excellence Through Education.
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Dare 2 Lead Leadership Conference Progressive. Innovative. Fun. By Michael J.A. Davis, EIP Staff
EIP
Dare 2 Lead Leadership Conference (D2L) is a progressive and innovative leadership intensive, introducing unique, relevant attributes of leadership to high-school student participants in a multi-workshop format. The aims of the conference are to enhance students’ leadership capacity as well as inspire positive change and meaningful influence in their individual, global, and online communities. D2L created buzz among EIP Students and within the higher education community. With a lineup of presenters and facilitators from among EIP Alumni, EIP Teachers, EIP an Mentors and the George reshm EIP F Mason University community, D2L produced progressive workshops, each topic carefully chosen and exclusively dedicated to the ninth-, tenth-, and eleventh-grade audiences. Students practiced techniques for sustaining a positive self-image,
Top: D2L Ribbons Directed EIP Students to stations by gradelevel; Scannable QRCs via Smartphone devices revealed conference schedules. Bottom Left: EIPers join hands in a Teambuilding activity. Bottom Right: Students engage in an energetic ice-breaker.
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“D2L made me analyze ‘True Leadership’...It’s so important because great leaders have great influence on people and in the world.” EIP Sophomore
integrity, and purpose. They developed a greater appreciation for diversity and multiculturalism and studied cases of ethical decision-making as well as conflict management and effective communication. EIPers also used smart phones to scan Quick Response Codes (QRCs) to instantaneously retrieve their respective agendas. They then utilized EIP J unior social media tools such as Twitter to ask questions and mobilize progressive ideas for their communities during an interactive social media workshop in which they studied positive social movements instigated by other youth leaders. Dare 2 Lead highlights unique components of effective leadership. EIP Students left the conference with greater determination to enact responsible, positive change in their local, global, and online communities.
MAGAZINE Spring 2012
TOP “Khas’ embodied the spirit of EIP; he is considered a personal friend by every staff member and student who has spent even a few moments with him.”
EIP
Lewis E. Forrest II Executive Director, EIP
The Inspiration of Khaseem Davis By Ingrid Rodriguez, EIP Alumni
Khaseem Davis served Early Identification Program for nearly five years as Associate Director under former Executive Director Hortensia Cadenas and current Executive Director Lewis Forrest II. During his tenure, he brought many new and innovative ideas, developed lasting relationships among students and staff, and inspired me to aspire to higher academic ground. Among his most notable contributions to EIP programming was his development of the first Toiletry & Canned Foods Drive. We collected thousands of donations, more than two tons of valuable goods to support the needs of the homeless and low-income families. Khaseem was also instrumental in bringing about the addition of a science component to Power Aid workshops (now called the Math & Science Power Aid). Just before his departure, he pioneered one of our most successful events to date––Dare 2 Lead Leadership Conference. He has served the
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Through different activities inside and outside the classroom I, like all of his students, was inspired to grow in my knowledge of self and others and in my contribution to my community. The most notable element about Khaseem that makes him an inspirational individual is his ability to truly connect with people. Khaseem relates to his co-workers, staff, program in so many ways. Not only students and anyone else that spends was he a powerhouse in the office, he a few moments with him. I and the was also the professor for the other student staff members knew that University 100 EIP Alumni course his door was always open for a heartunder the George Mason University to-heart talk. When we were ready tell Transition Resource Center. all, we counted on his delicate and As his Teacher Assistant, simple reply, “I feel you.” Then we Khaseem encouraged me (and his knew he understood how we were students) to be critical thinkers and really feeling. His gift to connect has motivated us to be involved in the truly enabled him to build enduring societal issues that matter to us. He relationships here at EIP and George instilled the value of education as well Mason University and, without doubt, as importance of taking advantage of it will support him at every stage in the every academic resource within reach. promising career ahead of him.
Farewell Party EIP Alumni, EIP Staff, friends, and colleagues hosted a private farewell surprise party for Khaseem.
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Welcome to the Family is a researcher of scholarly issues relative EIP’s New Associate Director to the field of academic support, college access, the minority male demographic, programmatic assessment, adult learning theory, and behavioral health studies. Formerly a professional school counselor and educational consultant in the state of New Jersey, Moore most recently served as the Assistant Director in the Center for Academic Excellence at North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, NC. Moore’s experience with student support services, NCAA compliance processes and athletic academic support, higher-ed course instruction, and program facilitation at the K-12 level has created a detailed framework for his student advocacy and educational initiatives. Jason A. Moore
EIP
“I look forward to helping strengthen our outreach and develop additional means of access to affect larger numbers of students”
Hot Topics
Jason earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Philosophy from Elon University and a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Adult Education from the University of Georgia. He is a member of the National Academic Advising Association; the National Association of Academic Advisors for Athletics (N4A); the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi; and Pi Lambda Theta, an International Honor Society and Professional Association in Education that recognizes professional educators of excellence. Moore, his wife Branice, and daughter Phoenix, reside in Prince William County, VA.
MAY 16––The 2012 EIP Prep & EIP Graduate Reception was a canopy for stars. With more than 500 in attendance, students and their families celebrated as EIP Preparatory students (rising ninth graders) were inaugurated into the EIP family and high school seniors graduated to the ranks of EIP Alumni. Muktaru Jalloh (Wakefield H.S., 2012) hosted the program. Special guests included George Mason University President Dr. Alan G. Merten as well as the superintendents and representatives of the seven partnering school districts. Special remarks were given by Liliam Pacheco-Rivera, recipient of the GMU EIP (full) Scholarship, (Annandale H.S., 2012) and EIP Alumnae Diana Córdova-Roca (GMU, 2012).
May Reception Night of Stars
JUNE 1––University ULife Golf Classic Life at George Corporations Give Back Mason University works in partnership with the corporate community to raise funds for diversity and leadership education initiatives––namely Student Transition Empowerment Program (STEP) and Early Identification Program (EIP). ULife hosted its annual Diversity Scholarship Golf Classic at the South Riding Golf Club in Virginia. With Sandy Spring Bank as the titlesponsor, corporations that included Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, BMW, Domino’s Pizza and others contributed approximately $30K in donations. Since its inception, the tournament has been the source of more than $100,000 in scholarships.
Student Spotlight // Liliam Pacheco-Rivera Annandale H.S., Class of 2012 Liliam is a graduating senior from Annandale High School in Fairfax County. She is one of the recipients of the George Mason University Early Identification Program (full tuition) Scholarship. The span of her high school career consisted of a lot of work and dedication to her academic studies. “I feel blessed and happy about my EIP experience” says Liliam. “In the last five years I found new friendships in other students, mentors, and staff.” For Liliam, EIP became a “second family” that she could count on for advice and guidance. “EIP not only helped me academically but also personally and socially.” Mason was not Liliam’s first choice when she was younger. She confesses that “initially it was my back-up choice, but through the years I realized that George Mason University is the best school for me…it feels like home.” She encourages other EIP students to continue to persevere in the program. Through all the sacrifices and hard work needed to achieve the goal of being the first to go to college, Liliam says, “It’s worth it all!”
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Social media tools are the reason our students are increasingly becoming Social Media Strategy more engaged with EIP in online social space. In 2011, EIP was Reaching Our Students virtually inactive in the social media realm. In late October, we launched By Michael J.A. Davis the “Social Media Revamp Project” that would give EIP a more notable voice in the spaces where our students spend most of their time. Our goal: to catalyze student engagement with EIP and its resources when they aren’t at EIP programs. In order to get our students to pay closer attention to us, we had to revamp our image and digital voice online. That meant redesigning our Twitter page and Facebook Profile, launching an official Facebook Fan Page, and posting more relevant and meaningful statuses and tweets. Today, with greater visibility and relevance online, EIP has increased student access to information, enhanced its relationship with EIPers, and is positioning itself as a leader among higher education programs in actively engaging students in the online social space.
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Muktaru Jalloh is a graduating senior from Wakefield High School in Arlington County. With a dream to become a high school English teacher, he will be attending Virginia Commonwealth University in the Fall. Looking back, Muktaru reflects on how his experience in EIP has taught him to be more focused and prepared for college. Last May, after fracturing his spine in a sports accident, his doctor advised against continuing his sports activities and advised him to forgo the 2011 EIP Summer Academy. Muktaru accepted his doctor’s warning against playing sports, but when faced with the decision of not attending the Summer Academy, he could not envision a summer without EIP. He attended his last Summer Academy, though he was forced to wear a back brace. In the end, it seems his decision paid off! “EIP is an opportunity, [so] take ownership of your education!”
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The “EIP Rebrand Project” is a tremendous milestone in the history of Early Identification
Program. Celebrating 25 Years is important for EIP and George Mason University because it acknowledges
that the program has lived up to its original purpose of inception––to inspire the underrepresented, pre-college student population to seek and attain access to higher education. As the premier student outreach program of the university, now is the time to rethink the branding and marketing communications strategy. Moving forward, it is important to tell the story of EIP in a new way that reflects the spirit of innovation at George Mason. We
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Teachers revere the program as a guiding light for their students who have seen only a dim pathway to
academic success. EIP Alumni tell their stories of elevation towards higher education. So, our new EARS YEARS YEARS YEARS YEARS YEARS YEARS YEARS YE branding––logo, website, social media spaces, marketing––illustrates those victories. We are better and sharper when we emphasize branding as part of the outreach strategy. I am proud to be a part of this project!
Michael J.A. Davis, Marketing Coordinator - Integrated Marketing Communications & Brand Development
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EARLY IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM | BRAND BLUEPRINT
The overall aesthetic of the shield–– particularly its rounded edges, tilted estoile (star), and its seeming elevation (shadow)––illustrates EIP’s unique, holistic approach to educational programming and the lived experience avowed by its students.
EIP
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Learn Serve Lead
The three stars represent the terms “LEARN,” “SERVE,” “LEAD” and are the Pillars by which EIP students actualize the program philosophy. The sequence of the Pillars imply the matriculation of the EIPer through the program. The Pillars also inform the designation and focus of academic enhancement, community enrichment, and leadership enablement programming.
“EARLY IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM” utilizes the Trajan Pro font, which symbolizes the impending victory of EIP on behalf of its stakeholders (students, parents, mentors, teachers, donors, and partners) in the fight for equal educational access for firstgeneration college students. “INSPIRING EXCELLENCE THROUGH EDUCATION” is EIP’s Tagline. It affirms its purpose and philosophy that, through holistic educational programming, EIP inspires in its students the value of being life-long INSPIRING EXCELLENCE THROUGH EDUCATION learners and contributors to society.
Early Identification Program PHONE
703-993-3120 | EMAIL EIP@GMU.EDU | FACEBOOK SEARCH: EARLYIDENTIFICATIONPROGRAM | TWITTER: @MASONEIP
Rebrand Project
EIP
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The Next Event In its 25th year, Summer Academy is EIP’s premier three-week academic enrichment program at George Mason University. EIP Students experience dynamic hands-on instruction by our certified EIP Teachers & Mentors in the fields of
Mathematics, English, Technology and Science, as well as workshops on college preparation, career development, leadership and life skills. Summer Academy commences on July 9 at the GMU Fairfax campus and Prince William campus.
Summer Academy 2011
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Early Identification Program | George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, MSN 2A7 Fairfax, VA 22030 | 703-993-3120 | eip@gmu.edu | www.gmu.edu