President Hawkinson to Give Keynote Address at Campus Connections Conference for At-Risk Youth

Kutztown, PA (02/26/2019) — Kutztown University President Dr. Kenneth S. Hawkinson will give a keynote address at the Campus Connections: High School to College Partnerships to Serve At-Risk Students conference on Tuesday, March 5, at Penn State Harrisburg's Kulkarni Theater. Programming begins at 9 a.m. with a welcome address from Dr. Daniel Greenstein, Chancellor of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, followed by Dr. Hawkinson's keynote address.

Campus Connections is a regional forum to address the needs of at-risk youth in their pursuit of higher education. This forum will discuss the challenges faced by these students, explore solutions and allow participants to network with colleagues across the region. Experienced professionals and students will share their perspectives on topics such as college readiness at the high school level, the transition from high school to college, the characteristics of families and students living in poverty, policies to support housing and food insecurity, and financial aid options for homeless and foster youth.

One of several breakout sessions will include Perspectives from the Field: Experts Discuss Student Successes and Challenges, a panel that features Amy Romano of Central Dauphin School District, Saundra James-Goodrum of Harrisburg School District, Cheri McConnell of Penn State University and Jeff Jones of Cheyney University.

The conference is presented by Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness: Region 2, Central Dauphin School District and Harrisburg School District, and is sponsored by Reynolds Solutions and Appalachia Technologies.

Kutztown University also has a support system for students who are current or former members of the foster care system in partnership with ChildPromise, Inc. To show dedication to successful students in foster care, KU's Providing Resources and Opportunities for Future Standouts (PROFS) program provides college access programs, such as college prep and financial knowledge workshops, for high school students and connects Kutztown University students to the campus resources that will help them succeed. The PROFS program encourages students to reach their potential and be a positive example for others who have also gone through the system.

Benefits for students who complete the PROFS program include a $500 scholarship award and free housing at the end of each semester. Program requirements include a mandatory one-on-one weekly meeting with a success coach, taking a minimum of 12 credit hours each semester, maintaining good disciplinary standing and attending cultural experiences among other responsibilities.

To register for the conference or for more information, please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/campus-connections-high-school-to-college-partnerships-to-serve-at-risk-students-registration-53158964895.

To learn more about the KU PROFS program, please visit https://www.kutztown.edu/about-ku/administrative-offices/enrollment-management-and-student-affairs/profs-program.htm or contact PROFS@Kutztown.edu.

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