Power of YOU program enters second year on wave of success

   Miracle Ehimen

Kathleen Gordon has a lot to be happy about this fall.

As of last spring, more than 600 Minneapolis and St. Paul high school seniors had applied for entrance into Saint Paul College's Power of YOU program, which makes the first two years of college available tuition-free for qualifying students. If all of those students were accepted, the total number of Power of YOU students on campus would have tripled the approximately 200 who participated in 2006.

"We will support as many students as possible, based on student need and funds available for the program," says Gordon, the director of Saint Paul College's Power of YOU program. "This fall we look to support even more students than we did in 2006."

Gordon says that the increased number of applicants reflects the success of the program's first year. Participating students and their parents are telling friends, neighbors, and family members about their experiences, opening the door for more students to participate. "Now people have heard about it," she says. "It takes a lot less education about the program to get them excited about it."

Gordon herself is excited about the remarkable support the program has received from the community. "We now have more than $3 million committed to the program, so we will have ample money available to pay the college tuition for the participating students," she says.

One of those students is Miracle Ehimen. The Arlington High School graduate and native of Nigeria finished his first year at Saint Paul College last spring, and plans to eventually transfer to a four-year electrical engineering degree program. He's also an enthusiastic proponent of the Power of YOU. "It helps students financially, and gives you a hand to help you reach your dreams," he notes.

But as Ehimen is quick to add, however, the program offers more than financial assistance. "It also helps students prepare for college and gives you an idea of what to expect," he says.

"When I started here, I thought I would only see Kathleen Gordon once, when I filled out my forms. But she and other staff members have kept in contact with me to answer questions, help me with decisions on changing classes, and provide support. It's like a family—they really help students feel at home here at Saint Paul College."

The community is taking note of the success of Ehimen and other students. Foundations and corporations have given sizable gifts to the program, and the contributions of individuals have added up as well. Many, Gordon says, have come from local business owners. "We find that small businesses in the Twin Cities see the benefit of growing a skilled workforce for the future and are contributing to the program," she says.

"Also, we have foundations that are matching the smaller and individual contributions to encourage more."

For more information, see www.saintpaul.edu/powerofyou.