SEAD's first class graduates from program

Posted 07/28/03, by James Donnelly
Originally published in Vox of Dartmouth (Vol XXII • Issue 4)

SEAD brings high school students to campus for three summers in a row

In a July 15 ceremony the Summer Enrichment at Dartmouth (SEAD) program graduated its first class of 24 high school students, all of whom had completed three consecutive summers of leadership training, community service and college preparation.

The students, hailing from Boston, Philadelphia and Canaan, N.H., traveled to Hanover for the 10-day program, which took place July 7-16. The group had previously attended the program during the summers following their freshman and sophomore years of high school.

Also on campus July 18-27 was another group of SEAD students from the same locales who attended their second year of the program.

"SEAD provides a multi-year enrichment experience to expand students' conception of what is possible in their lives, through the building of knowledge, confidence, leadership skills, and college aspirations," said SEAD director Jay Davis.

The SEAD program extends beyond the summer visits to Dartmouth's campus, noted Davis, sending Dartmouth students to the high schools during the winter term to work individually with SEAD students and pairing graduating SEAD students with mentors who will work with them through the college application process and beyond.

Davis said that the integration of summer visits and off-season outreach are key to SEAD's success.

"We want to engage with these kids beyond the week we have in Hanover," he said. "A crucial focus for us is that we help the participants to change their outlook for the other 51 weeks when they're not here."

Davis said the third year, graduating class encompasses both the successes and the ongoing challenges of the program.

"We are very pleased that 24 of the original 29 students completed the program," Davis said. "And though this year marks their graduation, we'll continue to be in contact with them as they weather the transition into their first year of college."

-James Donnelly

Program Descriptions

SEAD III
Having completed SEAD I and II, students return to campus for the third and final SEAD experience. This program focuses on the college application process and the transition from high school to a post-secondary institution. Dartmouth student involvement unique to SEAD III is the role of the "college partner," a personal guide through the college application process for each SEAD student.

SEAD II
Students who successfully complete the first year of the program return to campus to participate in SEAD II. This second phase of SEAD has as its central goal empowering its students to create change that will positively affect their environment. Dartmouth sophomores participate directly in SEAD II, acting as team leaders for small groups of SEAD students.