Department of English Language and Literature professors work to establish an ongoing relationship between SIUE and various local high schools
The following is an article by SIUE student Winter Racine, second-year mass communications student in the College of Arts of Sciences (CAS), and a Senator for Students with Disabilities
Area high school students got a taste of college life through outreach experiences coordinated by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville English faculty during the fall semester.
Howard Rambsy, PhD, Distinguished Research Professor of English Language and Literature, worked with a select group of students from the East St. Louis Charter High School during the entire semester who audited his Introduction to Literature (ENG 111) Course. The students earned college credit for their participation and actively engaged with college-level coursework, attending each class and completing assignments.
“[Participation in] the course gives the students a sense of what they can expect from college,” Rambsy said. “They get the chance to see how college students talk about and view the college experience. At the same time, it's a rare opportunity to engage in a range of topics related to African American literary art and cultural productions.”
According to Rambsy, the course offers students exposure to diverse Black literary art and provides high school students the chance to engage with both college students and professors. The students interact with the same faculty and staff that SIUE students do. Rambsy also encouraged opportunities for the high school students to engage with their college classmates outside of the classroom, such as by eating lunch together.
In November, Jill Anderson, PhD, professor of English and program director for secondary English education coordinated a book club session with approximately 50 students from Belleville East and West Township High Schools. The conversation was inspired by Soune Ursani, a Belleville West Librarian, and #ProjectLit, a book club dedicated to fostering a passion for reading in all communities. Future English student teachers and members of SIUE’s Sigma Tau Delta English Honor Society assisted with the day’s program.
“[The SIUE students] appreciated the opportunity to work with the high schoolers and share what they know about SIUE,” said Anderson. “They enjoyed being the experts and sharing their own college experiences with the high school students.”
Following the discussion on the book “A Very Large Expanse of Sea” by Tahereh Mafi, students participated in informal campus tours led by the college students, shared lunch with them at the Morris University Center, and sat in on various classes at SIUE.
Anderson said that obtaining a basic understanding of college life is essential for high school students. She said that events like this fuel the students’ imaginations as they begin to think about their future beyond high school.
“By inviting them to SIUE, we want young people to have an experience that allows them to see themselves as college students,” Anderson said. “Ideally, the visit to SIUE has given them much to consider as they think about their academic futures.”
Both Rambsy and Anderson plan to continue their community outreach efforts, aiming to provide high school students with the inspiration and necessary resources as they prepare for the opportunities awaiting them in higher education.
PHOTO: East St. Louis Charter High School students sketch Black literary art during SIUE visit
