Month: January 2009

A group of Ligon Middle School students eagerly raced to the top of the stairs of the Talley Student Center to participate in the the ninth annual Martin Luther King Service Challenge Saturday. Going on its third year of teamwork, Ligon GT Magnet Middle School and the N.C. State Center for Student Leadership, Ethics and Public Service (CSLEPS) joined forces once again in hopes that the Ligon Middle School students, most who are of minority and come from low income households, would learn the true meaning of teamwork, leadership, and service ethics. Edom Jones, director and overseer of College Prepatory Success (CPS) and Mike Giancola, director and overseer of CSLEPS, joined together once again for their third year, this time on N.C. state campus, with the sole purpose of making sure each middle school participant was given the opportunity to give service back to the community and have exposure to a college environment while honoring the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

When asked about the Transition Program, many students at N.C State may respond by saying “What is that?” The Transition Program is for students who were not deemed competitive enough for their college by either not having a sufficient SAT score, and/or a low grade point average. According to Danereka Sinclair, freshmen currently in the Transition Program, “It is good for networking, developing study skills, and good work ethic.” The Transition Program is an extension of First Year College Program; however, it has special requirements. The Transition Program requires its students to attend a mandatory study hall, convocations, life coaching sessions, and an academic major’s fair. The study hall, also known as SASI (Supplemental Academic Support Initiative), requires the students to do up to eight hours per week of constructive studying. Even though that seems like a lot to do on top of classes, many students do not mind the commitment and effort that it takes to attend. According to freshman, Taylor MacBain in the program, “SASI is a great academic setting that allows you to stay focused on studying with little or no distractions.” SASI consists of a single proctor in each room that helps the environment stay suitable for studying.