BOSS program students get together to prepare for another year
The Building Outstanding Service Scholars program, known as BOSS, premiered at Chattanooga State in 2012 and has grown in popularity over the past five years. This fall, the BOSS program is offering a special learning opportunity that combines English 1010 and English 0810. The courses will share the same reading and writing assignments, with an emphasis on making a difference in the community, as well as an experiential learning trip to Atlanta. To qualify for this course, students need to take both courses, be of an underrepresented and/or underserved population, be a first-generation college student, and interested in developing leadership skills.
BOSS welcomes students who are in need of academic support, seeking a community of learning and leadership, as well as being a first-generation college student.
The program helps participants adjust to the transition from high school to college in a supportive and familiar environment. BOSS works with students to foster academic and social preparedness while attending Chattanooga State and beyond.
BOSS program participants, Vanessa Garth, Paulina Detherow, and John Hudson, felt that the program definitely contributed to their overall success. Vanessa states, “Because of the BOSS Program I am now more confident in my abilities in the school and in the workplace.”
Contributing additional enthusiasm for becoming a BOSS student, Paulina Detherow adds, “I get a lot of encouragement to keep striving to succeed. I’m so glad to have met BOSS coordinator Nesha Evans because she has so much enthusiasm and sees the potential in students. She puts in a lot of effort to make the program better for students and not just for her benefit. As a result of this, I am becoming peer mentor and I feel great because I have been really involved in the program.”
“The program has taught me to strive to be more caring and understanding of people and their feelings. We went to D.C. on a trip with the program and Nesha gave us this speech before we went. She told us to have conversations with everybody on the trip. She told us to have uncomfortable conversations and don't get mad but, understand those people's opinions and try to grow from them and learn from each other,” offers John Hudson.
Participants can expect on-on-one assistance and tutoring, special classes designed for the program, college campus visits and cultural activities, mentoring and a chance to give back to their own high schools and the community. Additional opportunities include a Summer Bridge program that simulates college life; BOSS Talks, a weekly open dialogue about issues of concern intended to build community, enhance friendships, and relieve stress; planning and partaking in events; and development of leadership and teambuilding skills in the BOSS Student Organization.
Be a BOSS, find out more today by contacting Nesha Evans at 423-697-2471 or email boss.mentoring@chattanogoastate.edu.