Groups Scholars helps incoming students transition to college

KOKOMO, Ind. - When the fall semester begins August 26, Indiana University Kokomo freshman Hayden Wood will walk into her classes with confidence she gained as a Groups Scholar.

"It changed my complete mindset about going into college," said Wood, from Brazil, Indiana. "It made it seem like I'm going to be OK, all the faculty and staff really care about their students, and I'm going to be completely fine as a college student."

Wood was among 41 incoming students in IU Kokomo's second Groups Scholars cohort. The program - offered by the IU Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (OVPDEI) - provides academic, financial, and social support to selected underrepresented Indiana college students through graduation.

Leda Casey, director of first year experience, said the program aligns with IU Kokomo's focus on student success, including support for students from underrepresented populations such as minorities, first-generation students, individuals with disabilities, or students from low-income families.

Groups Scholars received tuition, books, and fees for four credits of summer classes. In addition, their meals were provided, along with a laptop and field trips. Each student also received a $500 scholarship for the fall semester.

Wood said the computer was an incentive for her to join, along with the chance to add to the head start she earned in high school with college credits.

"These classes complete my freshman year before I actually am a freshman," she said, adding that because she is moving from south of Indianapolis, it also allowed her to become familiar with the campus and community.

"The best part of Groups is meeting people and getting to know how to go through college," she said. "Our class did local field trips every Wednesday after class. I didn't know what was in Kokomo, so that helped me."

Grace Casey, from Indianapolis, also enjoyed the trips.

"It allowed me to explore Kokomo and hang out with people I'm getting to know," she said. "I have friends already going into my freshman year, which gives me the courage to make friends with more people. It gave me the chance to start with a small group of people first, so it won't be so overwhelming to make friends with people in my classes."

Zavion Merriweather, Kokomo, said instructors had them do group work, mixing up the groups each time so they met more people. He also liked the guest speakers from campus and the community. He now feels like he knows the campus and what resources are available to him.

Nick Baxter, assistant professor of sociology; Meg Galasso, associate librarian; and Brandi Keith, adjunct faculty member in sociology led classes for the second year, joined by first-year Groups faculty member Brandon Wysong, lecturer in biology.

Keith said she watched the 2023 cohort start college with confidence and looks forward to watching the new group succeed as well.

"They are more prepared to jump in, because they've worked out their nervousness and anxiety during the summer," she said. "This class was very outgoing and connected with each other right away. They really enjoyed the local field trips, going someplace together and hanging out and getting to know each other. I like watching them get connected and stay connected and seeing them on campus together."

Groups helps level the playing field for the student population it serves.

"They may come from a high school that didn't have as many resources to prepare them," Keith said. "Many are the first in their families to go to college, and the knowledge we can give them about how it works makes a huge difference. It gives them a jump start to success."

While introducing resources is important, the social aspect is one of the most crucial, she explained.

"We're giving them the opportunity to meet new people. That's one thing they're all nervous about," Keith said. "They are anxious and excited about making new friends, so giving them that opportunity is huge."

Education is KEY at Indiana University Kokomo.

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