The 2015 Jobs for America’s Graduates Student Leadership Conference was held at Hennepin Technical College in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota on Friday, April 24th.
Currently, Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) is being implemented in 6 sites within Minneapolis Public Schools. Sites include: Patrick Henry High School, Edison High School, Heritage Academy of Science and Technology, Volunteers of America High School, PYC Arts and Technology High School, and Wellstone International High School.
While at the Student Leadership Conference, students enrolled in the JAG program experienced workshops focused on improving leadership skills, post-secondary options, and the college admissions process, as well as, a campus tour of Hennepin Technical College and mock interviews during an Employability Skills Competition.
Students were fortunate to listen to two keynote speakers – Janelle Duray, Vice President of Jobs for America’s Graduates and Trent Tucker, MPS District Athletic Director and former professional basketball player.
Terry Henry, Executive Director of College and Career Readiness, ended the conference with announcing the winners of the Employability Skills Competition and providing the farewell to students. The Spanish-language television station and Univision affiliate, WUMN-LP, covered the event and interviewed JAG Specialist Mercedes Rivas-Dear and three of her students in the program at Wellstone International High School.
Overall, attendees of the conference had positive responses regarding the event, with multiple students expressing an interest in attending Hennepin Technical College. Students who competed in the Employability Skills Competition voiced an appreciation to practice what they are learning in class in a real-life situation.
The Jobs for America’s Graduates Student Leadership Conference was made possible with the sponsorship of the Minnesota Timberwolves, United Way, Hennepin Technical College, JAG National, Minnesota State University Mankato, Metro State University, and the Mexican Consulate, as well as, staff from MPS Office of College and Career Readiness and Contract Alternatives.
For more information, contact Venessa Moe at 612-212-0425 or venessa.moe@mpls.k12.mn.us.
