Scholars program has 3 key components beginning in the 8th grade.

Bringing State Scholars to Your Community

Introductory Presentation to the Community

Once the community/school district decides to implement the program, the Michigan Scholars State Director and/or members of his staff will work collaboratively with the district implementation director to assist in hosting a meeting to introduce Michigan Scholars to all key leaders in the community.

In an effort to obtain maximum impact from the meeting, we offer recommendations in four primary areas to the individual(s) responsible for setting up and coordinating the event in each city.

1. Attendees (Invitation List)

The first step in launching a local Scholars program is to bring together business people and educators in a meeting to introduce the Michigan Scholars Initiative. The centerpiece of the meeting is a demonstration of the “Great Expectations, Great Rewards” presentation, typically to an audience of about 25 students in the targeted grade.

2. Attendees

Key individuals from the education and business sectors attend the introductory meeting. They should hold positions of influence in the community and will be committed to the program over the long term. Michigan Scholars can provide you with a list of suggested attendees by title.

3. Typical Meeting Agenda

Event Duration

Introductions 15 minutes

State Scholars Program Overview 30 minutes

Synopsis of student presentation for business/education attendees 15 minutes

Seat students & conduct “icebreaker” 10 minutes

Presentation to students 50 minutes

Questions and Answers (adults and students) 15 minutes

Some communities have found it helpful to conclude with refreshments or a luncheon to reinforce the call to action. A sign- in sheet often is helpful in following up with attendees.

4. Media Outreach

Positive local media coverage helps to gain and maintain Initiative momentum. Public relations tips are available to help you generate coverage of Michigan Scholars (click here for downloadable copy).

Committee Structure and Organization

Establishing The Steering Committee

A State Scholars program implementation requires ongoing leadership. Several successful Scholars programs report it was helpful to establish a Steering Committee to oversee key aspects of the program: student presentations; follow-up activities in high school and at graduation; budgeting; communications; and measurement. Steering committee members with a wide range of abilities from both the business and education sectors who are able to make a long-term commitment to the implementation’s success add tremendous value. Membership might include school district staff, high school, middle school, and counseling staff, as well as a district communications or community relations representative. Look to business chief executive officers and civic organizations such as Rotary, Kiwanis, the chamber of commerce, Junior League, and PTA/PTO for community representation.

Successful committees begin meeting several months prior to the first round of student presentation dates (dependent on timing of student course selection). It is helpful to gain administrative and budget approval sometime in late spring or early summer.

Consider establishing co-chairs for all committees so that there is leadership from both the business community and the education community in each group. Try to maintain a 50:50 ratio between business and education representatives in committees overall. An example of a simple committee structure follows:

Make Presentations to Staff and Parents

Once key officials understand and support the program, Steering Committee members may want to introduce all administrators and teachers for grades seven through 12 to the program. Provide an overview of the planned implementation and convey expectations for everyone involved. If all staff are unable to attend introductory meetings, try to make formal presentations to all school principals and counselors to create the awareness and buy-in necessary to launch the program successfully. Provide principals and counselors with the tools they need to share the program with the staff on their individual campuses.

Informed parents are key allies in keeping students on course through high school. Many groups have engaged parents through formal presentations at PTA meetings and college nights. Others have sent information to the home directly with progress reports or via the student’s backpack.