What is HWS Summer Academy? Founded in 2004 by Professor of Chemistry Walter Bower, HWS Summer Academy is a 2 week college emersion program for academically motivated Geneva High School students, many of whom will be the first in their families to attend college.

Through Its purpose is to help students acquire some of the skills they may need to succeed and thrive in the college environment, and includes a career exploration opportunity where participants shadow at local businesses, non profits and at HWS Colleges.

Students receive a $300 stipend if they successfully complete the program, which receives funding from the Wyckoff Family Foundation and the HWS Colleges Office of the President. The HWS Summer Academy is in support of the Geneva 2020 goal of “college and career readiness.”

Times Monday, June 29th Tuesday, June 30th Wednesday, July 1st Thursday, July 2nd Friday, July 3rd 9:00-10:05

Orientation 

Literature Literature Literature Literature

10:15-11:35

College Essay Writing

College Essay Writing College Essay Writing College Essay Writing College Essay Writing

11:45-12:30

Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch

12:40-1:40

Architecture Architecture Architecture Architecture Architecture

1:40-2:40

Architecture Architecture Architecture Architecture Architecture

2:50-4:30

Theatre Workshop-Coxe Hall (BartlettTheatre)

Leadership Studies Theatre WorkshopCoxe Hall (BartlettTheatre)

Race in Education Theatre WorkshopCoxe Hall (BartlettTheatre)

Time Monday, July 6th Tuesday, July 7th Wednesday, July 8th Thursday, July 9th Friday, July 10th 9:00-10:05

Literature 

Literature Literature Literature Literature

10:15-11:35

College Prep Session-Student Panel- Napier 201

Theatre WorkshopCoxe Hall (BartlettTheatre)

Prepare for Job Shadowing-Share your career research, practice intro and come up with 5-10 questions

College Admissions Process

Film Studies Gulick 208

11:45-12:30

Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch

12:40-1:15

College Prep Session-tour

Environmental Studies-FLI

Job Shadowing-meet at Clock in front of Scandling

Environmental Studies FLI

Presentation Prep- Vandervort

1:20-2:40

College Prep Session-How to choose a college/Common App-Gulick 201

Environmental Studies-FLI

Job Shadowing Environmental Studies-FLI

Presentation Prep- Vandervort

2:50-4:30

College Prep Session-Build your college resume/Scholarships- Gulick 201

Resume Building Job Shadowing Film Studies- Gulick 208

Graduation Ceremony- Vandervort

Schedule – Classes, College Prep, and Career Exploration! (with a little lunch everyday…)

The HWS Summer Academy used the architecture course to design ‘little free libraries” that would encourage literature and literacy.

Architecture Course

Architecture in action… building a ‘little free library’ for two Geneva neighborhoods

www.littlefreelibrary.org

This design features a concession stand because the little free library was going to be placed in a baseball field.

This design features a vending machine that would present no cost to people who would want to rent a book.

“Literature and Theatre”

“Dulcitius”

• In the literature course led by Laurence Erussard, students focused on performing a play

• The play was set in the medieval centuries and focused on the courage of three girls who believed in their faith and did not surrender to authority

Theatre

• This workshop was led by Professor Heather May and WS student Gail Quintos

• Students participated in improvisation and warm-up exercises

Students in the theatre workshop sat in a circle and spoke about their interests, goals, and ideas for their time together.

Students practiced “Dulcitius” every time they were with Laurence Erussard in Literature class.

College Essay Writing and College Prep

• The college essay writing course, led by HWS Writing Colleague Program Coordinator Alex Janney, focused on personal statements

• Students explored college essays written by inspirational students admitted to institutions from all across the country

• Students selected events from their own life and wrote about them

• The college preparatory workshop led by CCESL Program Coordinator Shayne Feinberg focused on the college application process

• Students were given a chance to explore College Board and the Common Application, hear from a panel of HWS students about their college process and begin a college portfolio.

• “I learned a lot about the process of getting into college. I found out that I really didn't know anything before this program." - Tiana McDaniels

“Race in education”

• “Race in Education” was led by Education Assistant Professor, Khuram Hussain

• Students participated in an activity designed to help them think about privilege and equitable access to education

• Questions ranged from “do you like chocolate?” to “have you ever had an empty refrigerator?”

• This activity was an eye-opening experience and inspired them to raise awareness and help others

“Environmental Studies”

• The Finger Lakes Institute offered information about environmental justice and sustainability

• Students learned about:

Water waste, destruction, and resources

Invasive species

Solutions to environmental issues

How to keep a nature journal

Careers in environmental justice and sustainability

One of the nature journals a student created.

Students observed on the lawn behind the Finger Lakes Institute and created their nature journals.

Students pose for a picture with Finger Lakes Institute Education Program Manager Institute Nadia Harvieux

“Film Studies”

• Students watched a movie about discrimination in Russia

• The movie was set in the context of a Russian war in the 1990s

• There was a small population of people who wished to be independent from Russia and were considered a minority because of their faith in Islam

• Before this course, students were unaware of these effects of war which engaged them in asking questions

• The movie was shown after concepts of film analysis were discussed

“Job Shadowing – Career Exploration”

• Students were offered several job shadowing opportunities both on and off campus

• On campus opportunities included: The Registrar’s Office, Communications, and the Finger Lakes Institute

• Off campus opportunities included: Heaton & Venuti, LLP Law Office, Blink Cosmetics, and several positions at Finger Lakes Health

"I received guidance in what I'm interested in going to college for/what I'd like my career to be" - Briana Horton

After two weeks of participating in the HWS Summer Academy, students showed their families and special guests what they worked on and received certificates of completion!

Graduation Ceremony

Reflections …• "I obtained a better understanding of college life and learned valuable

lessons to carry in the future." - John Hawkins

• "I gained knowledge about college, was able to challenge myself and grow as a person during both summer programs" - Lydia Smith

• "I know I have great academic ability so this helped some and opened many doors for me. Gave me the push I needed and wanted. The variety of classes was helpful because we got a little taste of everything." - Kiara Pabon

" The summer academy program was incredibly fun! I am looking forward to attend next year. Hobart and William Smith is one of the colleges I want to go to

and I love how small it is and how they make you feel so welcomed."

- Cynthia Saldana

Interested in applying to HWS Summer Academy?

Contact • Center for Community Engagement and Service-Learning @ Hobart and William Smith

Colleges, 315-781-3825, serve@hws.edu

• Guidance Department, Geneva High School, 315-781-0402

• Video from 2013 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWBhStPOKxw

Presentation designed by Summer of Service (and HWS Summer Academy) Intern Lesly Rivero, WS’17