Describe the Issue or Situation.

Many youth lack early exposure to college admissions processes, career pathways, and essential soft skills needed to succeed in higher education and the workforce. KSU's Cooperative Extension in Jefferson County was asked to help students build critical thinking, explore career options, and understand the value of human capital, particularly for those interested in healthcare professions.

Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).

To address this need, we partnered partnered with Grace James Academy during their HealthWise Youth Program— providing a two-part college and career readiness series tailored for middle and high school students with an interest in healthcare careers.

The program included:

• Interactive workshops on human capital, conflict resolution, and critical thinking
• Guidance on the college admissions process and career exploration, with a focus on healthcare
• Exposure to the dual credit program at Kentucky State University (KSU)
• A field trip to KSU, where students toured the campus, met with faculty, and learned about college life and academic pathways

Provide the Number and Description(s) of Participants/Target Audience.

The program served 45 students, representing various backgrounds and a range of middle to high school grade levels. Many of the students expressed aspirations to enter the medical field and were either first-generation college-bound or exploring college opportunities for the first time.

Provide a Statement of Outcomes or Program Impact. Please note that the outcomes statement must use evaluation data to describe the change(s) that occurred in individuals, groups, families, businesses, or in the community because of the program/outreach.

70% identified at least one career they are interested in pursuing

Multiple students expressed interest in pursuing higher education with some knowing what institution they want to attend.

Through this collaboration, students not only gained practical tools for academic and career planning, but also saw firsthand the opportunities available to them in higher education and healthcare. The program helped lay a foundation for informed decision-making, goal setting, and long-term personal development.