The College Assistant Migrant Program, now in place at CSU-Pueblo, was designed to provide assistance to students who are migratory or seasonal farm workers, or children of such workers, get into college.
Since the CAMP is new to CSU-Pueblo, Michael Manos, the executive director of TRiO Student Support Services, said CSU-Pueblo is in the process of finding someone to fill the position for CAMP director.
“We will have a person here that is called a regional site coordinator. That person will be working with the students here and they will be going out to the rural areas (of southeast Colorado) to identify high school students who would be good fits for this (program),” Manos said.
To be eligible for the CAMP, students or parents must have been employed in migrant or seasonal farm work for at least 75 days in the past 24 month, have a high school diploma or GED, and not have college or earned 30 college credits. Also, they must be a U.S.
citizen or permanent resident, and enrolled or admitted for enrollment at CSU-Pueblo.
The program is much smaller than other support service programs offered at
CSU-Pueblo, Manos said, and that about eight students are involved in the program.
“Its fewer students, but its more intensive contact,” Manos said. “They (the camp people) meet with the students about once a week just to make sure they are on track and have everything that they need.”
Federally funded by the U.S. Department of Education through a grant administered to CSU-Pueblo by Kansas State University, CAMP works hard to support eligible students succeed academically, complete high school and pursue higher education.
In addition to working with CSU-Pueblo, the CAMP works with other colleges to provide assistance to CAMP students, such as the South Central Board of Cooperative Educational Services, and Garden City Community College in Kansas.
Students can receive support in a variety of ways, according to a program brochure. These include scholarships to assist with tuition, fees, housing and other expenses, health services, academic advising, tutoring and college skills development, career exploration, mentoring, emotional and social support and involvement in cultural events and activities.
However, assistance is typically only provided during the first year of college but according to the U.S. Department of Education website, limited follow up services are provided to participants after their first year.
“Thanks to CAMP I am able to take the road that will lead me to a successful future,” freshman Perla Ontiveros said in the brochure. “…I am very thankful for being a part of CAMP and for all the help and support it has provided.”
Any qualified student interested in finding out more information about the College Assistant Migrant Program can stop by room 003 in the Occhiato Center or email Executive Director Michael Manos at [email protected].
