CCGA President Greg Aloia knows that preparing students for secondary and possibly postsecondary educations at an early age fosters a deeper understanding of the educational options available and encourages success for all students so that no student will be left to fall between the cracks.
“As part of our mission here at Coastal Georgia, we ensure our students have access to a wide-array of high-quality, affordable learning opportunities. Fortunately for us, that goal is not exclusive to just our students, but the students of Glynn and McIntosh counties,” Dr. Aloia said.
With the support of the Minority Outreach Program and funds provided by an anonymous donor, the College of Coastal Georgia is excited to announce the inauguration of the Girls of Summer program.
“Through this innovative initiative and generous donation, a group of young women will have the opportunity to learn about the College, engage with faculty, and explore first-hand the career choices and academic pathways available to them,” Dr. Aloia added.
Replicating the framework of Boys of Summer, the free academic program will target rising sixth and seventh grade girls who may have academic needs – as recommended by their student counselors – or may benefit from academically-enriching campus experiences, said Dr. Jason Umfress, Vice President for Student Affairs & Enrollment Management.
“We are thrilled to be able to host this program through the generous support of our community partners who understand the importance of the initiative in our community,” Dr. Umfress said.
“The Boys of Summer program has been a foundational program in our community for years and has changed the trajectory of many students’ educational futures. It is amazing to be able to provide the same type of support for the girls in our community as well,” he added.
Beginning Monday, July 3, the Girls of Summer program will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Mondays through Fridays through Friday, July 28 on the first and second floors of the Howard Coffin Building on the Brunswick campus.
For four weeks, girls from Glynn and McIntosh counties will participate in the summer enrichment program, which focuses on supplemental instruction in the areas of mathematics, language arts, and reading.
As a complement to the academic curriculum, focus will be given to self-esteem, cultural awareness, and positive social relationships – appropriately modified to address gender distinctions. Extracurricular activities will include workshops, field trips, and swimming lessons as the budget allows.
“It is the perfect time in the life of the College and the community to create this program to support and promote girl power. I can’t wait to get them on campus, pair them with strong female role models, and watch the magic happen,” Dr. Umfress said.
Having the addition of the Girls of Summer Program is a point of pride for not only the College but for the Glynn County and McIntosh County school systems, said Floyd Phoenix, Director of the Minority Outreach Program.
“The College and the local area school system administrators and teachers are elated to have an opportunity to support the upcoming Girls of Summer Program. Both programs (Boys and Girls of Summer) have not reached the program enrollment requirements. Our goal is to register 100 students per program prior to May 7th,” Phoenix noted.
To register for Boys of Summer, parents are asked to contact Phoenix at 912-217-0457 or fphoenix@ccga.edu. For the Girls of Summer Program, parents are encouraged to contact Marcyline Bailey, Assistant Director, at 912-324-1548 or mbailey@ccga.edu.
First day of classes for Boys of Summer is Monday, June 5; the girls’ program begins on Monday, July 3. Graduation has been set for 7 p.m. June 30 for the boys, and 7 p.m. July 28 for the girls. Both will be held in the Southeast Georgia Conference Center.
Contact: Brittany Tate
(912) 279-5938