Attain to Retain Conference

Inspiring Students

A conference aiming to help narrow the achievement gap by assisting students and youth professionals to enhance their skills and increase student success.

Educational attainment is especially challenging for the racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically underserved at-risk populations.  High school graduates from lower-income families and those from racial and ethnic minority groups are far less likely to enroll in college than other students. According to a study by the College Board, as of 2015, 82 percent of high school graduates from the highest income level (above $100,010) enrolled immediately in college, compared with 62 percent of those from the middle income levels ($37,000 to $60,300) and 58 percent of those from the lowest income levels (below $20,582). Respectively, the postsecondary enrollment rates in 2015 among black, Hispanic, and white high school graduates between ages 18 to 24 years old were 34 percent, 35 percent, and 42 percent.

This same College Board study reveals that in 2015 the percentage of individuals’ ages 25 to 29 who had obtained at least an associate degree ranged from 26 percent for Hispanics to 31 percent for blacks and 54 percent for whites. According to the U. S. Census Bureau 2015 survey, we observe that of individuals ages 25 and older with at least a Bachelor’s degree, 16 percent are Hispanics, 23 percent are blacks, and 37 percent are whites. So we can see that college completion rates and attainment patterns differ considerably across demographic groups.

The Attain to Retain Conference aims to help under-represented high school and college students narrow these gaps by assisting students to understand the challenges they face and the critical need to overcome those challenges if they are to succeed in college and beyond. Students will hear from distinguished professionals during sessions that will provide them with the tools to develop their skills and help them become successful in college.  The conference topics focus on leadership development, student success strategies, college access, professional development, and much more!

 

 The conference, which takes place on Saturday, February 5th, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (check-in starts at 8:15am), will be held on FGCU campus- Sugden Hall (Hospitality and Resort Management building), and is free and open to all students from the following institutions:

 

Registration Now closed

For more information, contact the Office of Community Outreach at 239-590-1034 or communityoutreach@fgcu.edu