Gateway and Ninth Street Baptist Church Team Up for Recruiting Fair Feb. 12

Gateway Community & Technical College and Covingtons Ninth Street Baptist Church will co-sponsor Gateway's second annual Super Sunday college recruiting fair Feb. 12 at 2 p.m. at the colleges Urban Center in downtown Covington.

The event is part of a statewide outreach by the Kentucky Community and Technical College System to attract more African American and other students of color to attend KCTCS colleges.

As co-host, the Ninth Street Baptist Church is working to promote the event to other area churches to reach as many prospective students as possible. In addition, Gateway President and CEO G. Edward Hughes will participate in the 10 a.m. worship service at the church to emphasize the importance of higher education.

Our congregation is pleased to participate as the host church, said the Rev. Richard Fowler, pastor of the Ninth Street Baptist Church and vice chair of the Gateway board of directors. The fair gives us an opportunity to reinforce to all students that a quality education is the best preparation to be able to find a good job.

Studies have shown that most of today's jobs require at least an associate degree, said Dr. Hughes. We want all students to know that, yes, college is within their reach and that a college credential is what will lead them to a high-paying job in a career field that is currently in demand.

As vice chair of the Gateway board, I am particularly pleased to welcome the community to the colleges Urban Center, which continues to expand and make college more accessible to urban students, Rev. Fowler added.

The recruiting fair will feature information on admissions, financial aid, a variety of academic programs, student success services, disability services, and a Health Profession Opportunity Grant that provides tuition assistance to low-income students interested in healthcare careers. Information on student employment opportunities accessible through the Ready to Work and Work and Learn programs also will be available.

In addition to recruitment information, the fair will provide refreshments as well as musical and liturgical dance performances. Prospective students who complete participant cards may receive coupons for a free manicure or haircut at Gateway's Cosmetology Department. The church who recruits the largest number of participants will be eligible for a drawing for a $250 Gateway scholarship.

Gateway enrolled 642 African American and Hispanic students in the Fall 2011 semester, or slightly more than 13 percent of fall enrollment of 4,857 students. The number of African American and Hispanic students choosing to attend Gateway has nearly tripled since Fall 2007, when their combined enrollment was 229 students, representing 7 percent of total enrollment.

Gateway's Urban Center is located at 525 Scott Boulevard in Covington. To read more about Super Sunday, visit kctcs.edu.