For years, students in Illinois were given a free ACT college admissions test with the option of a paid SAT test. Now, the state has decided to cut this program, and high school juniors are scrambling to deal with the new format.
But Bradley’s chapter of Beta Alpha Psi, the honors accounting society, is teaming up with the Association of Latino Professionals for America to help Peoria high school students adjust to this transition.
Senior accounting major Gabriela Zavala is the president of the accounting society, as well as an event coordinator for ALPFA. She said the program began with an idea and an application.
“We got the inspiration for this program because our advisor, [accounting professor] Simon Petravick, had spoken to Bradley Management and Leadership Instructor Becky Wood about having higher engagement with the Peoria high schools,” said Zavala. “We decided to apply to this grant given by a sponsoring organization through Beta Alpha Psi.”
To apply for the Inclusive Leadership award, the chapter provided a detailed strategy outlining how they would enhance diversity and provide opportunities for members to think, learn and act inclusively and include a detailed action plan defining project objectives, desired outcomes and how funds would be spent. Chosen chapters were each given $500.
Zavala said the time to apply for the award was perfect, as the Peoria high schools were reaching out about their need for study material.
“A student from one of the Peoria high schools had reached out to Becky Wood and had the goal of placing 10 SAT books in each of the three high schools. Becky Wood is also the advisor for ALPFA, so we decided to partner with them for this program,” Zavala said. “We thought getting them the SAT books would be a great way to use this grant, all while encouraging these students to attend college.”
Besides providing SAT books to the schools, the team also plans to meet with students to provide mentoring and answer questions about college prep.
Petravick said this has become an opportunity to encourage students to attend college and prevent the test from being a barrier due to financial restrictions.
“Some of the students in our group are the first generation to attend college,” Petravick said. We hope that by sharing their story the path will be easier for first generation students at the Peoria high schools.”
He said the program plans to continue on beyond this spring.
“There is still time to arrange visits to the high schools to meet with underclassmen, to encourage them to study and consider college,” Petravick said.
