Louisiana Christian University has been awarded a grant from The Rapides Foundation for $25,700 for the Beyond Graduation Program, a project designed to close the gap between high school seniors who graduate and apply to postsecondary institutions and those who enroll and complete a postsecondary certificate or degree.
Beyond Graduation is a partnership between Career Compass of Louisiana, school districts in nine central Louisiana parishes, and six post-secondary institutions. Beyond Graduation is funded by a grant from The Rapides Foundation.
“The Rapides Foundation welcomes Louisiana Christian University as a partner with the Beyond Graduation Project. This expansion is vital in giving more students in Central Louisiana the opportunity and support they need to succeed from enrollment through completion,” said Ashley Stewart, director of programs for the Foundation.
Beyond Graduation college and career coaches assist high school students with college/university admissions, financial aid, and other enrollment services during high school. The Beyond Graduation staff at participating postsecondary institutions provide ongoing services to participants during the summer months before college/university enrollment and during their college tenure to ensure that they progress toward a certificate or degree completion.
“We are so excited to have Louisiana Christian University join the Beyond Graduation Program,” said Dr. Chris Maggio, Beyond Graduation project manager. “With the addition of LCU, central Louisiana students now have six post-secondary institutions with dedicated Beyond Graduation college coaches to provide ongoing services to students. Louisiana Christian University provides quality academic options for students, and its caring faculty and staff make LCU a perfect choice for many central Louisiana students.”
To be eligible for the program at LCU, students must be from one of the following parishes:
Allen, Avoyelles, Catahoula, Grant, LaSalle, Natchitoches, Rapides, Vernon, and Winn. Students must also meet one of the following criteria: be first-generation college students, have economic hardship, have a qualifying academic record and related factors, or have a referral from an administrator, teacher, counselor, or Career Compass coach.
“When I first heard about this opportunity last year, I was new in my role as president and needed time to fully understand our university and our direction,” said LCU President Dr. Mark Johnson. “Over the past year, that clarity has come. Now, I’m excited to partner with The Rapides Foundation and Career Compass of Louisiana, who care deeply about students and their success. The Beyond Graduation Program aligns with our mission and helps ensure students not only enroll but thrive and complete their journey. We’re grateful to be part of this important work.”
For more information about the services available through this program at LCU, contact Beyond Graduation coach Emily Couvillion at emily.couvillion@lcuniversity.edu.
Career Compass is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to ensure that all high school students have a pathway to college and a rewarding career.
The Rapides Foundation is an organization whose vision is to positively impact Central Louisiana by deploying resources to improve key factors of health status.