Lake Superior College has hired Kym Young as a TRiO Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) Temporary Advisor. Her office is located on the Lake Superior College campus in Duluth. Her responsibilities will include recruiting students to participate in the EOC program with the goal of successful college graduation.
EOC provides perspective students with the support to enter or reenter higher education through services such as financial aid counseling and helping with the admissions process. Young will work closely with community resources to both recruit and support students in their academic careers.
Young has served as a community human rights advocate in the Duluth/Superior area where she has worked for social justice and equal rights for marginalized groups. She received her M.A. in art history from the University of Wisconsin-Superior in 2012. Young uses her artwork and her knowledge and experience to educate and advocate for those whose voices are not traditionally represented in higher education. She founded the Superior African Heritage Community that sponsors and promotes social justice work locally and on a national level. Young is currently regional coordinator with “Save the Kids”, an organization that works to end the school-to-prison pipeline.
The Educational Opportunity Center provides community members who qualify in St. Louis, Douglas and Carleton Counties free access to services designed to help them reach a better life through college training and education. The EOC program is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education Programs-TRiO.
Participants will be connected to tutors, mentors and counselors for guidance on admission, financial aid and postsecondary course selection. For those who may not have finished high school, help will be offered on secondary school re-entry or high school equivalency exam programs – or other alternative education programs to complete a high school equivalency.
Educational Opportunity Centers also provide services to students traditionally underrepresented in postsecondary education, including students with disabilities, limited English proficiency, and other disadvantaged individuals, such as those who may be homeless, or exiting foster care. The EOCs also serve veterans, military families, formerly incarcerated, and single parent families.
Services provided include: College searches, career choices, financial literacy workshops, understanding financial aid, assistance with FAFSA (Federal and State Financial Aid) applications, loan rehabilitation support, admissions, advising and more.
