A Day in the Life: Through annual program, Rowan students introduce high-schoolers to college

October 10, 2008

"A Day in the Life of a College Student" was the reason Rosette Ghazalian chose Rowan University.

"I fell in love with Rowan after that," says Ghazalian, a freshman from West New York, N.J., who attended the "Day in the Life" program at Rowan last fall. "When I walked onto this campus, I just felt like I belonged here. Everyone was so friendly and so helpful."

On Oct. 12-14, Ghazalian will have the chance to share "all things Rowan" with a high school senior during the University's fifth annual "Day in the Life" program. During the program, high school students of color from throughout the state are paired with Rowan undergraduates who serve as their "hosts."

The high school students attend the University's open house and other special programs, take campus tours, and stay in residence halls and attend classes with their Rowan hosts. The program is presented by Rowan's admissions office, the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Office of Educational Opportunity Fund/Maximizing Academic Potential (EOF/MAP).

Altogether, the University will host almost 90 high school students, who will be paired one-on-one with Rowan undergrads, according to J.T. Mills, coordinator of the Office of Multicultural Affairs.

"The central objective is to have them be interested in coming to college, period. And if they choose Rowan, that's wonderful," says Mills.

Four students who attended "A Day in the Life" last year as high school seniors are now Rowan freshmen, Mills said. That includes Ghazalian, who is excited to have the opportunity to be a host this year.

"I want to give back what Rowan gave to me," says Ghazalian, a graduate of Union Hill High School in Union City, N.J. "I have some games and activities planned for my student. And I definitely want to give her a tour of campus myself."

Some highlights from the schedule for "A Day in the Life of a College Student" include:
9- 10 a.m. - High school students report to Room 221, Chamberlain Student Center
10-11:15 a.m. - University tour, beginning at the Rec Center
3-5:30 p.m. - Motivational speaker Carlos Ojeda, Jr., Eynon Ballroom, Chamberlain Student Center
8 a.m-4:45 p.m. -- High schoolers attend classes with Rowan students
5-7 p.m. - Speaker David Wilson, a Rowan alumnus and professional filmmaker, Eynon Ballroom
11 a.m.-1 p.m., Closing ceremony, Student Center