About 500 students representing 20 high schools from across the Puget Sound region came to Shoreline Community College on Oct. 30, 2014, for the Seattle AVID College Fair.
AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination, a San Diego-based nonprofit organization “dedicated to closing the achievement gap by preparing all students for college and other postsecondary opportunities.” Schools can opt to use the AVID program to help students achieve their goals. The AVID college fair is produced by Career Council Inc./National Hispanic College Fairs Inc. While primarily focused on students in schools with AVID programs, the event is open to anyone.
“We’re very happy to host the AVID College Fair on our campus,” said Amy Stapleton, coordinator of such outreach efforts for the college. About 40 colleges and universities from across the country attended. “They like to be here the day before the two-day, National Association for College Admission college fair in downtown Seattle so a large number of college reps come for the AVID fair, too.”
Student participation appeared to be up for this year’ AVID fair over 2013, a trend Stapleton said she’s seen across a number of fairs she’s been to this fall. “I’m going to high schools across the region several times a week and seeing a lot more interest in college,” Stapleton said. “Students are asking about everything from programs that lead to a job right away to how to transfer to top universities. Fortunately, we’ve got all that and more here at Shoreline.”
Stapleton also coordinates guided tours of the Shoreline campus. For more information, call 206-546-7841 or e-mail amy.stapleton@shoreline.edu.