Outreach
High School Student Empowerment Conferences
Continue hosting the High School Student Empowerment Conferences during the winter and spring quarters. To inspire high school students to pursue higher education by offering culturally relevant workshops, interactive activities, and opportunities to connect with college staff, faculty, and peers. These conferences aim to foster a sense of belonging, empower students with knowledge, and highlight the resources available to support their academic journey.
Timing and Structure:
- Seasonal Focus: Host the conference during the winter and spring quarters to maximize participation and align with students’ preparation for post-secondary plans.
- Event Duration: A half-day or full-day event featuring a mix of workshops, interactive sessions, and networking opportunities.
Interactive Workshops:
- Sessions tailored to students’ cultural backgrounds and interests, highlighting diverse pathways to success.
- Topics could include navigating the college admissions process, financial aid, learning communities, exploring career opportunities, developing leadership skills, and fostering personal growth.
Culturally Relevant Programming:
- Collaborate with learning communities, cultural clubs, and student organizations to design workshops that resonate with the diverse backgrounds of attendees.
- Invite keynote speakers, including alumni or community leaders, who share similar lived experiences and can inspire students.
Engaging Activities:
- Campus tours led by student ambassadors to showcase facilities and resources.
- Interactive panels where students can ask questions and hear from current college students.
- Fun elements like photo booths, raffle prizes, and icebreakers to make the experience memorable.
Village Introductions:
- Introduce students to their respective Villages—a concept that groups students by academic and personal interests, providing a community to support their college journey.
- Host activities within Village groups to foster early connections and a sense of belonging.
Resources:
- Include resource tables with information about financial aid, Promise Program, and other support services.
Logistics and Planning:
- Partner with local high schools to identify and invite students, ensuring outreach to graduating seniorsl
- Collaborate with the Equity Office and Learning Communities to develop inclusive content.
- Secure funding to cover event costs, including materials, food vendors, and keynote speakers.
Outcomes and Feedback:
- Use surveys to gather student feedback about their experience and the effectiveness of the workshops.
- Track how many attendees apply to the college
- Continued metrics and date on the outcomes of the conference
Lead: Stacey Carrasco, Outreach Office
Plan Lead: Stacey Carrasco
Plan Timeline
Winter 2024
Implement and provide high school conferences for each ethnicity during the winter focusing on junior and seniors and recruiting after to seniors upon graduation.
Black Empowerment Conference Feb. 8, 2024
Latinx Empowerment Conference March 7, 2024
Filipinx, Pacific Islander,Southeast Asian Empowerment Conference March 21, 2024
Spring 2024
To initiate the planning for the Winter 2025 High School Empowerment Conference, we will assemble kickoff meetings with dedicated planning committees. Our goal is to actively recruit and inspire De Anza faculty and staff across departments to volunteer and engage in various aspects of conference preparation and execution. By fostering broad campus involvement, we aim to create a collaborative and impactful event that supports and empowers our high school junior senior students.
Fall 2024
Enlist interested DA faculty and staff to be a part of the planning committee. In Fall 2024, we will begin convening with planning committee members to recruit keynote speakers and entertainment for the High School Empowerment Conference.
Conference Date set for May 2, 2025
Proposed TENTATIVE Ideas agenda items:
8:30 AM – 9:00 AM: Check-In, Breakfast
- Welcome table with name tags and program schedules.
- Light refreshments and music to create an inviting atmosphere. If food is possible? No light breakfast b/c students tend to show up to late to enjoy.
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM: Opening Session
- Welcome remarks from College President
- Inspirational keynote speaker (e.g., successful alumni or community leader).
- Overview of the day’s agenda and expectations.
9:30 AM – 10:15 AM: Workshop Tentative Session
- Students attend a workshop of their choice:
- “Pathways to College”: Understanding admissions and financial aid.
- “Finding Your Why”: Exploring personal motivations and career goals.
- “Cultural Connections”: Celebrating identity and leveraging it for success.
10:15 AM – 11:00 AM: Campus Tour
- Guided tours led by student ambassadors, highlighting Villages, support services, and campus life.
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Village Introduction and Activities
- Students join their respective Villages based on academic interests or goals.
12:00 PM – 12:45 PM: Lunch and Resource Fair
- Networking lunch with tables hosted by campus departments and student organizations.
- Opportunity to visit resource booths (e.g., financial aid, counseling, learning communities).
12:45 PM – 1:30 PM: Workshop Session 2
- Additional workshop options:
- “Building Resilience”: Overcoming challenges and staying motivated.
- “College 101”: A day in the life of a college student.
- “Leadership in Action”: Developing skills to make an impact.
1:30 PM – 2:00 PM: Student Panel Discussion
- Current college students share their experiences and answer questions.
- Topics include transitioning from high school, finding support, and tips for success.
2:00 PM – 2:30 PM: Closing Session
- Recap of the day and key takeaways.
- Prize raffle (e.g., college swag).
- Final words of encouragement and contact information for follow-up.
Winter 2025
During Winter 2025, the planning committee will begin meeting to lay the groundwork for the upcoming High School Empowerment Conference. The initial focus will be on establishing the foundation for event planning, including the development of the program structure, content, and theme. These early meetings will be critical in shaping a high-impact and student-centered experience.
Key goals for Winter 2025 include:
- Establishing Committee Structure:
- Convene an initial meeting to welcome new members and review the planning process.
- Collaboratively determine the frequency and format of meetings (e.g., monthly, biweekly, hybrid/in-person).
- Assign roles or subcommittees as needed (e.g., program development, logistics, marketing, student engagement).
- Developing the Program Agenda:
- Identify the overarching theme for the conference that aligns with student needs and institutional priorities.
- Begin outlining the conference schedule, including keynote sessions, breakout workshops, resource fair (if applicable), and closing activities.
- Review feedback from past conferences to inform program improvements.
- Workshop Development:
- Brainstorm engaging, relevant workshop topics that resonate with high school participants (e.g., college readiness, financial aid, identity and leadership, mental health).
- Identify potential facilitators from faculty, student services.
- Develop a standard workshop proposal template and timeline for finalizing facilitators.
- Logistical Planning:
- Begin initial planning for event logistics, including venue setup, registration flow, technology needs, transportation coordination, and accessibility accommodations.
- Discuss staffing and volunteer needs for the day of the event.
By the end of Winter 2025, the committee should have a clear structure in place, a draft agenda, a working list of workshop topics, and a shared vision for the conference theme. This will ensure a strong launch into Spring and Summer planning phases.
Spring 2025
Finalize high school attendees, transportation, food, event date.
2025 HS Empowerment Event: May 2, 2025
High School in attendance: 13
Attendance by grade:
12th grade: 117
11th grade: 12
10th grade:7
9th grade: 1
Fall 2025
Key next steps include:
- By Summer 2025:
- Confirm whether funding is allocated for three conferences.Black, Latinx, Filipinx, Pacific Islander,Southeast Asian
- Enlist interested DA faculty and staff to join the planning committee.
- Map out the budget and determine funding allocation for each conference.
- Set preliminary conference dates for the 2025–26 academic year.
- Discuss room reservations, and logistical details (tech, signage, catering)
- By Fall 2025:
- Begin meeting regularly with planning committee members.
- Start recruitment of keynote speakers and entertainment for the High School Empowerment Conference. If Black conference is in February we need to start to discuss conference theme.
- Begin preparing promotional materials, including a high school recruitment flier.
Winter 2026
Conference Agendas:
- Confirm keynote speakers, workshop sessions, and entertainment.
- Coordinate with all presenters to ensure alignment with the theme and student learning outcomes.
- Lock in vendors, room reservations, and logistical details (tech, signage, catering).
Marketing & Recruitment Push:
- Distribute high school recruitment fliers and digital promo materials.
- Open registration for high school groups—track RSVPs and capacity.
- Begin targeted outreach to schools that have been historically underserved or underrepresented.
Logistics and Operations:
- Confirm transportation plans for visiting schools.
- Finalize volunteer and staffing assignments (ambassadors, presenters, logistics team).
- Schedule and conduct internal walkthroughs or dry runs, if needed.
Student Preparation:
- Develop or finalize any student surveys
- Coordinate with high school counselors for student count.
Evaluation Tools:
- Prepare post-event surveys and feedback tools for students.
- Build out a plan for collecting and reviewing feedback data after each conference.