AmeriCorps Student Leaders embark on another year of empowering classmates

For a group of Iowa high school seniors, preparing for the school year means more than getting schedules and supplies in order. It means learning how to help their classmates navigate some of the biggest decisions they will make after graduation.

The Iowa Department of Education's AmeriCorps Student Leader program equips high school seniors with training to serve as peer advisors and resources in their schools. Student leaders support their classmates in exploring, applying and persisting in postsecondary education and training opportunities.

Student leaders often work in tandem with school counselors and administrators to host events, such as Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion events, career and college fairs, test preparation and workshops on topics such as financial aid, scholarships, writing resumes and interviewing. They are available and trained to help classmates one-on-one and in-person with questions about college and career preparation.

The program is part of Course to College and Career Coaching - AmeriCorps, which delivers college and career access and success assistance to Iowa high school and college students through college coaches, student leaders and summer transition associates. The program is currently funded through a nearly $500,000 competitive federal AmeriCorps grant through the Volunteer Iowa Commission.

During recent AmeriCorps Member and Site Supervisor Orientations, student leaders and their supervisors spent the day learning about the program, practicing the tools they will use throughout the year and developing plans to help their classmates prepare for life after high school.

The orientation included an overview of AmeriCorps and the Course to College and Career program, training on FAFSA and FSA ID creation, data and grant goals, a college-going culture assessment and team planning for the year ahead.

"I think we got a lot of information that was super helpful," said Emma Dea, a student leader at Van Meter High School. "We've learned about so many resources to build our plans for the year, and I think that's been really helpful."

The training is designed to give student leaders both the knowledge and confidence they need to become resources for their peers. More than 60 student leaders from 30 schools went through the training. During the course of their 42-week term, they will be expected to provide 300 hours of service in assisting their peers.

"This gives our students time to collaborate and is one of the few opportunities where they get to hear what other schools have done," said Chase Wood Wagoner, a College and Career Transition Coordinator (CCTC) serving Clarke Community Community School District. "It facilitates our focus in the moment, so that we can have that time to think and plan going into the school year."

Part of that planning is creating events throughout the school year to build awareness of postsecondary education and training opportunities for students and families. Student leaders at Van Meter are already planning a scholarship workshop to help classmates find and apply for scholarships, along with sessions with English teachers to fine-tune application essays.

At Clarke High School, student leaders Vanessa Vargas and Victoria Rosales recently participated in the 'Clarke in the Park' back-to-school kickoff where they introduced themselves to the community as a resource to help students navigate their postsecondary options.

"I think what we want to do is make AmeriCorps more known and to help our class with learning how to complete applications, the FAFSA and apply for scholarships," Vanessa said.

While the focused training and resources they received at the orientation gave them the operational tools to maximize their impact, student leaders' unique roles as experts among their peers allows them to reach and serve classmates and friends in ways teachers and school counselors may not be able to.

"Student leaders are a spark and have a way of connecting with students that we'll just never have as adults," said Iowa Department of Education Community Engagement Consultant Aaron Smith. "They're a liaison to get their peers to take that next step in completing the FAFSA or college applications."

This peer-to-peer approach also extends the reach of school staff. For a CCTC like Wagoner who works across multiple school districts, having student leaders embedded in the student body provides a constant resource for students in that school. CCTCs work closely with students in grades 11 and 12 in partnership with high schools to provide assistance as students transition into additional training and postsecondary education beyond high school, which can include apprenticeships, military opportunities, two-year colleges, four-year colleges and the world of work. Last year, more than 60 CCTCs were housed in 12 of Iowa's community colleges and supported students in more than 100 high schools.

Many of Wagoner's students are English language learners or come from diverse backgrounds. Bilingual student leaders are an invaluable resource for reaching those populations and connecting with students who might not otherwise be aware of the postsecondary opportunities available to them.

In addition, student leaders provide invaluable input on the types of activities and messaging that would appeal to students and motivate them to pursue postsecondary education or training.

"I feel like it is a lot easier for us as students to be able to connect to them because sometimes students are scared of talking to teachers or feel like they don't understand them," Victoria said. "Teachers aren't in the same position that students are. But we'll be in the same boat with them, trying to figure it all out as we're figuring it out with them.

Part of that 'figuring it out' process is helping students explore the vast and varied college and career options that exist after high school and the multiple pathways available.

"We want to expand opportunities and open new doors for people," Emma said. "The whole process can be kind of daunting, and it's scary to try and figure out what you're going to do after high school, but having them see all their options can help them really figure out what they want to do."

Ultimately, the goal is to help students see that there is more than one path after high school and that they do not have to figure it out alone. Through AmeriCorps, student leaders are gaining the knowledge, confidence and leadership experience to help their classmates take those next steps.