What We Have Learned
Our young people meet several challenges in the journey to adulthood. With the majority of school-aged children in Collier County qualifying as economically needy per federal guidelines, the challenges of funding next steps in post-secondary education are a constant.
Many young people also lack family experience in navigating the process to earn a post-high school degree or credential to help them build their skills. While high school graduation rates continue to rise, we know that we need to work to be sure that every student is ready for what comes next.
The majority of Collier high school seniors indicate in an annual self-reported survey (CCPS) that they are planning to go to colleges or universities. More than half of these students plan to stay in Florida with a significant number indicating planned enrollment at Florida Southwestern State College or Florida Gulf Coast University (National Student Clearinghouse).
This illustrates the need for education and business to work collaboratively to ensure strong college and career readiness for ALL students.
Goal: Ensure all young people are career ready by graduating high school on track to obtain a degree or credential.
This College and Career Success Goal Group is composed of staff and volunteer leaders from organizations aligning work and building strategies together, focused on the following collective priorities:
- Increase the percentage of students completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Develop and connect community strategies to keep students engaged in school and on-track for college and career readiness.
- Provide community-based internships for 100% career academy and other interested students.
- Develop local strategies to connect students and families to ongoing community-based support in post-secondary experiences.
Goal Group Co-Chairs
All individuals and organizations interested in these topics meet quarterly to address community barriers and opportunities. Goal Groups are led voluntarily by experienced community leaders who facilitate, organize, and lead collaboration.
Alex Breault
Director of Talent Initiatives
Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce
John Monda
Assistant Director
Lorenzo Walker Technical College
Priority Teams
In between the quarterly Goal Group meetings, the discussion may need to continue around specific topics. We call these Priority Teams, members of which meet monthly or as needed. Priority Teams have volunteer leaders who facilitate discussions and report back to the Goal Group. For College & Career Success, these topics and team leads currently include…