The office of Community Engagement@Wayne is introducing the Get Schooled pilot program beginning July 18, 2010. The free program is designed to expose underrepresented student populations to higher education and career paths. Through the weeklong program, 50 eighth to 10th grade students from the University of Central Preparatory High School and Osborn College Preparatory Academy will be spending their time at Wayne State University.

"We wanted to provide these students with a real college experience and get them thinking about all they could do with a college education," said Monita Mungo, program manager at Community Engagement@Wayne and creator of Get Schooled. "In addition to exposing them to life on a college campus, we want to get the students thinking about their professional careers and what they need to do now so they can get into college."

On the first day of Get Schooled, students and parents are going to hear from guest speaker Walter L. Epps, retired executive lieutenant for the Wayne County Sheriff's Office and current candidate for Wayne County sheriff. Epps will speak about his career as a public servant, the important role his college education played in his success, and the need for parents to support and be involved in their children's education. During the week of Get Schooled, students will also hear from an airline pilot, a nurse, and other professionals about their education and careers. Wayne State University's office of Career Services also will be working with students to help them identify possible career choices.

Students will get a taste of college life by visiting a biology lab, completing a writing exercise with an English professor, learning about college study skills, being introduced to the ACT exam, performing a community service activity and spending a night in one of Wayne State's residence halls.

"We hope the experience we provide these young students will help them see the tremendous possibilities that exist when they attend a university like Wayne State," said Jerry Herron, dean of the Irvin D. Reid Honors College. "We're looking forward to having these fine young people on campus as our guests."

Get Schooled runs July 18-24, 2010, at Wayne State University. For information about future Get Schooled sessions, contact Monita Mungo at ah6559@wayne.edu or (313) 577-9216.

Wayne State University is a premier urban research institution offering more than 400 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to nearly 32,000 students.