As you enter the Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech) front doors on your first day of classes, students walk past you in every direction, carrying their books, laughing with their friends, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Perhaps you are unsure which direction your class is, or who your new classmates are, or you may be especially nervous because you weren’t sure college was for you.

These are feelings many students are experiencing less of, now, due to the Transition to College program supported by The Schroeder Foundation.

Thanks to the generosity of Walter and Maria Schroeder through The Schroeder Foundation, select high school students are provided with fully paid scholarships to RRC Polytech, which includes tuition, books, and wrap-around supports. This is the second year The Schroeder Foundation students have had the opportunity to participate in the Transition to College program, which helps them start their programs with the knowledge and confidence they need to succeed on day one.

“The first day, I remember being stressed out and I was even worried about getting there on time, but someone immediately recognized me and my stress went from 100 to zero in seconds,” said Jileen Easter, current Pathway to Business student and recent participant in the Transition to College program. “I didn’t have to worry about getting lost because everything was explained to me. I think if I had started college without the program, I wouldn’t have my student ID or know where I could go for lunch or anything,” she says with a chuckle.

Jileen is one of the 30 students who participated in the most recent cohort of the Transition to College program supported by The Schroeder Foundation. This program is an eight-day intensive introduction to college life where students receive campus tours, are provided with access to the IT programs required, have sessions on time-management, writing, math, how to navigate stress, and have a chance to discover the supports they have access to while attending the College.

To date, The Schroeder Foundation has donated over $2 million towards six previous cohorts and helped support over 180 students achieve post-secondary success. 

“It was cool, coming full circle, being there last year listening to people talk all day to being a mentor,” said Rovic Climocosa, a Business Administration student and mentor in the Transition to College program. “I was able to give a lot of tips and advice, and honestly, remind myself of how far I’ve come since being here.”

“I mainly told the new students two things; I told them to always try your best to build connections, whether that be through some of the advisors or instructors or classmates – these connections will help you as you go through school together, and I told them the importance of time management. There’s a lot of schoolwork and you have classes, your friends and family, but you also need to make time for yourself to relax and reflect,” added Rovic.

A key component of the Transition to College program is the ability to ask current students questions, receive advice and make connections. Students also spend time with Indigenous support staff learning about the Seven Sacred Teachings, medicines, Truth and Reconciliation, and are given the time to create a star blanket together.

“It was so reassuring, to see students come over and be like ‘it looks and seems scary, but you’re going to get the hang of it,’” said Jileen. “It was practically like they handed me the experience and broke down each component of it. I was so happy that I could walk to the college on my first day and know what I’m doing.”

Students who participate in the Transition to College program are recipients of The Schroeder Foundation Scholarship, where their college program, text books and additional supports are paid for.

“Being a Schroeder student is knowing that Walter and Maria and this whole group of people believe in me and believe that I can make the world a better place. I guess that sounds kind of nostalgic,” said Rovic with a grin. “But, it gives me the feeling that I have something to give back to the community, so it’s nice.”

Rovic is currently in his third term of the Business Administration program, where he’s been able to work with a local business in helping them with a branding campaign and rebuild connections with their customers. Jileen plans on completing Pathway to Business then moving on to the Digital Media Design program at RRC Polytech.

To learn more about scholarships available click here or to help future students transition to college, make a gift here today.