The mission of Access88 is to spread awareness about higher education to communities throughout the state of Ohio while educating students of The Ohio State University about access to education, community service, and civic engagement.
What is Access88?
Access88 is a service outreach program focused on access to higher education in Ohio’s 88 counties. Students and families living in Ohio, including those of low socioeconomic status and potential first generation college students, may not be aware of the support and resources available to them to obtain education beyond a high school diploma. Access88 engages elementary and middle school students in interactive activities and presentations to encourage them to begin planning for their futures by communicating the importance of higher education and preparing for college.
Through this program, students of The Ohio State University have the opportunity travel to schools throughout Ohio’s 88 counties to spread the access to education message, learn about the community visited, and participate in a community service project. Other elements of Access88 include programs for parents, activities at college fairs, and interaction with community leaders and Ohio State alumni.
The fundamental components of Access88 include:
-Community Service
-Outreach to the State of Ohio
-Access to Education
For more information about Access88, Core Trips, testimonies, and pictures from past trips, click here!
What is an Access88 Core Trip?
Each academic term, there will be several trips, named 'Core Trips,' in which all Ohio State students have the opportunity to apply to participate. Access88 trips may vary depending upon the needs of the school visited, including classroom visits, school assemblies, or school events. Prior to each trip, there will be a training session to educate participants on the issue of access to education, the demographics of the community to be visited, and the type of activities that will be done during the trip. Each trip will also involve a service project and educational piece within the community for participants to learn about the culture and needs of the county visited. Most trips will also include interaction with Ohio State alumni from the community during the service project, community education, or a meal.
How do I get involved?
If you are interested in spreading the message of access to education to young students in Ohio, applications for Core Trips will be available online during the term prior to the trip dates. Due to a limited amount of space on each trip, applicants will be selected based on availability to attend trip and training dates and essays responses. Access88 will strive to obtain a group of students with a diverse set of experiences for each trip.
The application for Spring 2012 Core Trips is now available online!
Click here to apply by Friday, March 30, 2012.
Spring 2012 Core Trips include:
Hocking County
Friday, May 11 (7 a.m.) – Saturday, May 12 (5 p.m.)
Mandatory Training: Sunday, May 6; 6-8:30 p.m. in the Ohio Union
Access88 will travel to Logan, Ohio to interact with students in grades K-4 at Chieftain Elementary School. After the visit to the school, Ohio State students will participate in a service project in the community, learn about and explore the Hocking Hills region, and have dinner with Ohio State alumni who live in the area. This is an overnight trip in which transportation and lodging are provided at no cost.
Union County
Friday, May 18 (7 a.m. – 9 p.m.)
Mandatory Training: Sunday, May 6; 6-8:30 p.m. in the Ohio Union
Access88 will travel to Marysville, Ohio to interact with 7th and 8th grade students at Bunsold Middle School. After the visit to the school, Ohio State students will participate in a service project and learn about the community through dialogue with community leaders. There will also be an opportunity to meet Ohio State alumni who live in the area. Transportation is provided at no cost.
Access88 is brought to you by Pay It Forward.