RHS seniors get look at college pathways
R U S S E L L V I L L E —Fifty high school seniors received customized looks inside the University of Alabama’s academic programs during a visit funded through the STARS program, which supports students in small towns and rural communities.
It was the first time the university tailored a full set of private, interestbased tours specifically for RHS students.
Instead of a standard walk-through, students were divided by their intended majors and taken deep into academic departments. They viewed classrooms, labs, studios, and project spaces connected to fields they have already been exploring in high school.
Career coach Alissa Moore said interest was immediate. About 70 students signed up and the first 50 participated.
“The STARS program is trying to get more students into college,” Moore said. “They helped make this trip possible by paying for the charter bus and lunches so our seniors could see what the university has to offer.”
Moore said STARS previously brought catered food for faculty during a workday, and used the opportunity to introduce teachers to the program and the support it aims to offer students.
Engineering teacher Gabe Willis guided one of the largest groups. He led about 20 students through the Engineering Department. He said the detailed tour helped them understand what engineering study involves.
“Alabama has a really good engineering school,” Willis said. “I’ve had students go there, graduate and go on to work at places like NASA and Lockheed Martin.”
Willis said students learned about opportunities they could have as majors, including competitions and handson projects. He said the university’s guides worked to answer questions students had about classes, expectations and resources for incoming freshmen.
Students also visited recreation facilities, intramural fields and dining areas. Willis said seeing dorm options helped students picture where they would live and study during their first year of college.
A guided bus tour added another layer. University representatives pointed out major campus landmarks and explained student resources and activities along the way. Willis said the approach helped students get a clearer sense of how the campus functions day to day.
Arts and sciences chaperone Roxanne Gist said the attention given to the students stood out.
“I was incredibly impressed with the STARS tour,” Gist said. “It felt like everyone involved truly wanted to connect with our students and give them a personalized experience while covering everything that the University of Alabama has to offer.”
Human environmental sciences chaperone Leigh Mayer said the visit was especially meaningful for students who may not otherwise get to see a university campus. She said one standout moment was watching a senior who already has been accepted to UA step into the new fashion design studios for the first time and react with excitement.
Education chaperone Jordan Shelton said the visit tied directly into the career pathways students have been exploring through RHS career and technical programs.
She said touring departments such as engineering, business, human environmental sciences, arts and education helped students see how their high school coursework connects to college-level study.
Shelton said the visit was a meaningful experience for seniors and an important chance to explore the next steps in the fields they have been preparing for.
