Dickinson College and Milton Hershey School Kick Off New Partnership
Simona Bajgai '20 gives students from Milton Hershey School a tour of Dickinson's campus. Photo by Carl Socolow '77.
MHS juniors and seniors explore the college experience with faculty and staff
Dickinson College this summer joined with Milton Hershey School (MHS) to launch the new Pathways to College program. During the weeklong program, Dickinson staff and faculty worked with 15 accomplished Milton Hershey student participants to chart successful paths toward the country’s best colleges and universities.
Located a half hour away from Dickinson, MHS is among the best private schools in the nation, offering cost-free pre-K through 12th-grade academic programs and a nurturing home life for children from low-income families. MHS also partners with such entities as The Hershey Company, Hershey Entertainment & Resorts and Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.
“The program is a summer enrichment experience for MHS students considering selective colleges,” explains Tara Vasold Fischer ’02, Dickinson dean and director of academic advising, a leader in planning and conducting the program. The first four days of the program were held at MHS. The last day was a visit to Dickinson’s campus with a tour and more precollege advising.
Individual sessions were devoted to the college application process, how to find “fit” between a student’s aspirations and their college choice, key elements of college experience such as writing and information literacy and a sample class on globalization. Several sessions were devoted to areas of emphasis in Dickinson’s own brand of liberal-arts education, including global study and community engagement.
“It was great learning about these students and what they hope to achieve in the future,” says Fischer. “Being with them at their own school, and having them to campus … there was a palpable sense of excitement.”
Dickinson Provost Neil Weissman says the college was pleased to have the opportunity to work with MHS and its impressive students. “We hope to continue the partnership with Milton Hershey School," he says, "and possibly expand the Pathways program for others."
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Published August 29, 2019