Keeping The Promise

Leaders from Baton Rouge’s largest education institutions as well as the Mayor are talking more and more about “The Promise.” It is a coordinated effort on their parts to highlight the commitment to more college and career pathways in the city and surrounding communities. Launched last September, the “Capital Area Promise” is a collaborative effort between LSU, Southern University, Baton Rouge Community College and EBR Schools. It is modeled after the Long Beach College Promise, where President F. King Alexander established a similar effort while at Cal State Long Beach. The Capital Area Promise designed to jumpstart conversations around college and career readiness—early and often.

“Last year’s launch was just the beginning. The Promise is here to stay, “says Brandon Smith, LSU’s director of community and education partnerships; and lead organizer of the Promise. “Throughout the spring, we will take the message throughout the nine parishes of the Capital Area.”

In addition to the tours, 5 Working Groups, or teams, have been established to monitor the progress of the Promise’s 10 goals including: increasing the percentage of high school students with dual enrollment credits, increasing the number of postsecondary degrees and technical certificates, reducing barriers for college affordability, and expanding teacher preparation programs.

 As part of its commitment to the Promise, LSU welcomed over 2,500 middle school students to campus across three days for “Sixth Grade Day.” Students had the opportunity to visit different academic exhibits and given a tour of the campus, which included a visit to the Museum of Natural Science, the Shaver Theatre and the AgCenter’s Parker Coliseum. Students also saw different presentations about humanities, science, engineering, the arts and agriculture, received ice cream from the LSU Dairy Store, and were visited by Mike the Tiger, LSU’s Spirit Squad, and LSU President F. King Alexander.

 

To learn more about the Capital Area Promise, visit www.capitalareapromise.org or call the LSU Office of Community University Partnerships at (225) 578-8699.