New Eastfield College Program Assists MISD & GISD Students

(Mesquite, TX) – – Eastfield College will host Gateway to College Information Sessions Tuesday–Thursday, May 12-14 from 4-6 p.m. in LC101. Gateway to College is a program to assist Mesquite and Garland Independent School District high school students in completing their high school diploma while receiving college credit. It is funded by a $300,000 grant from the Wal-Mart Foundation as well as money from the Gates Foundation, Eastfield College, and Garland and Mesquite school districts. College tuition and books are provided free of charge.

In their first year, GTC students learn in a learning community (groups of students who take classes together). The learning community experience builds their academic and personal skills, preparing them for college courses with the general student population. In addition to reading, writing, and math, these students take a career development class to help focus their academic goals, and a college survival and success class to learn how to take effective notes, study for tests, and juggle school, work, and family life.

The Gateway to College program was developed at Portland Community College, who selected Eastfield College to replicate their nationwide program.

Sessions are also available Tuesday–Thursday, May 26-28 from 5-7 p.m. in G101.

For more information about Eastfield’s Gateway to College grant, call 972-860-7129 or e-mail GatewaytoCollege@dcccd.edu.

Eastfield College, one of the seven Dallas County Community Colleges, is located at 3737 Motley Drive in Mesquite, just north of I-30.