For many students, the path to college can feel like an overwhelming journey, especially for those whose families have never navigated it before. CAMPUS is a program designed to bridge that gap, guiding first generation college students through the tumultuous process of preparing for higher education.
CAMPUS first began in Loudoun County in 2002, providing students with resources such as college tours, mentorship, scholarship opportunities and workshops on applications and financial aid. The program swaps out students’ study hall times for a class where they learn all about the college application process. However, the program took a brief pause at Dominion before being revived in 2020 by program facilitator, Bruno Yupanqui, and school counselor, Nicole Winfree, who saw the need for renewed support.
For Michelle Chavez, a student ambassador, the program has “helped me determine what I want to be when I grow up and who I can connect [to] for support,” describing the aid CAMPUS has provided her. Chavez has been involved with CAMPUS since the ninth grade and is now halfway through tenth grade. Throughout that time, the CAMPUS team has done everything in their power to ensure success and “not only [do] they help me with campus or scholarships, but they also help me with all my other classes.”
Photos Courtesy of Mr. Yupanqui
The success of CAMPUS at Dominion is due to the work of the team of five teachers who help oversee the program. Yupanqui said, “All the teachers that are part of the campus program have a very solid understanding of the college admissions process, so any questions that a student or a family does not know how to answer, we provide that immediate support. We also have a lot of resources that are through the counseling department or through the central office, where we have activities and also additional opportunities for students to learn about the college process.”
As CAMPUS continues to expand–with 72 students this year up from 32 the previous year–the program remains dedicated to ensuring that every first generation student at Dominion has the tools they need to succeed. Winfree, involved with the program since the start, said, “I think one of the biggest ones is just knowing the process and understanding the lingo college applications involve so many different acronyms and phrases of things that aren’t part of our day to day, language, and so learning that stuff. Also knowing all the steps of applying to a college and then what happens after you hit submit, because just hitting submit on the application isn’t the end of the process. Knowing that you still need to complete your FAFSA, apply for scholarships, accept your admission into a college, pay your deposit, all those things.”
The entirety of the process can be a bit discouraging and intimidating, which results in a few students backing up. To combat this, Ms. Winfree and others have set up school parties throughout the year, incorporating fun, community and lesson based activities to keep students engaged and involved, and mentoring programs for freshman to see what their future will look like if they follow through with CAMPUS.
For those curious about the application process, the form is currently open until March 7 in LCPS GO in the Students Opportunities application. Counselors encourage first generation students to apply and will offer support if needed. For additional information, follow @campusatdhs on Instagram or book an appointment with Ms. Winfree.
