KU News Release

30 Kansas high school students complete KU’s first migrant education academy

Kristen Torres, USD 214 Ulysses, participates in a poster session during the Harvest of Hope Leadership Academy.

LAWRENCE — Adjusting to new schools in midyear and speaking English in class but not at home were common experiences shared by 30 Kansas high school students who attended the first migrant education residential summer program at the University of Kansas this summer.

The students, most from southwest and central Kansas, spent three weeks at KU attending daily courses in math, science, civics and language arts as well as classes focused college preparation and leadership skills. They explored KU’s recreational facilities and on weekends visited community museums and events, including Kansas City’s Science City at Union Station and a Starlight Theatre performance.

“We hope to increase their success in high school, in developing leadership skills and in pursuing high education,” said Stacy Mendez, coordinator for the Harvest of Hope Leadership Academy. “One of our goals is to increase the students’ confidence and ability to navigate the steps necessary to go to college and be successful there.”

The academy was tailored for students who had transferred from one school district to another in the past three years as they or their parents moved to take seasonal jobs related to agriculture. Funded by the Kansas Migrant Education Program and coordinated by KU’s School of Education, academy students received full scholarships to cover costs, which included having their parents attend regional meetings with migrant education counselors and a final program at KU.

Nationally, about 55 percent of migrant students complete high school. Academy participants indicated they worried about falling behind in school and voiced concerns about making new friends before their parents may need to move again for another job.

Academy staff included many Latino employees, faculty and students at KU.

“When our high school participants interact with college students and KU professionals from similar backgrounds, it increases their confidence in their own academic abilities,” Mendez said.

The first Harvest of Hope Leadership Academy students are listed below by school district.

USD 102 Cimarron-Ensign: Marco Ortiz

USD 209 Moscow: Alinna Martinez and Isis Segura

USD 210 Hugoton: Kenia Macias and Anais Santana

USD 214 Ulysses: Kristen Torres

USD 215 Lakin: Katty Encinas, Michael San Juan and Rigoberto San Juan

USD 227 Jetmore: Julio Arias

USD 253 Emporia: Gerardo Padilla, Jose Rios and Ricardo Rios

USD 305 Salina: Alan Gonzalez

USD 428 Great Bend: Karla Garcia, Alexandra Guevara and Maria Guevara

USD 442 Nemaha Valley Schools: Dulce Hernandez

USD 443 Dodge City: Mariana Gonzalez, Jose Mejia Guerra and Mariana Moreno

USD 446 Independence: Antonio Vargas

USD 457 Garden City: Nubia De La Cruz, Daniella Garcia, Misael Gutierrez, Hector Lopez, Jesus Lozoya and Maria Martin

USD 470 Arkansas City: Nayeli Muñoz

USD 483 Plains-Kismet: Jesus Cordova

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