College Summit-Connecticut 2nd Annual Peer Leader Conference

On Wednesday, November 16th College Summit CT held its 2nd Annual Peer Leader Conference.  51 Peer Leaders from James Hillhouse High School, Metropolitan Business Academy, and Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School attended the event which took place at Quinnipiac University’s York Hill Campus.
 The day began with welcome remarks from Heidi Erickson (Sr. Associate Director of Admissions, Quinnipiac University), Dr. Reginald Mayo (Superintendent, New Haven Public Schools), Avril Stephens (Audit Director & Diversity/Inclusion Leader, Deloitte Stamford), and Veronica DeLandro (Program Director, College Summit CT).  The Peer Leaders were then treated to a special message from a surprise guest – Ashlee Neal – who served as Rap Director at many of the students’ summer workshops.  After the keynote address, College Summit Alumni (Michael Ferron, Carmen Paulino, Taylor Burrell, and Ashley Vargas) alongside a Quinnipiac University student (Terrell Allen) participated in a panel discussion about “Life After High School”.
Following a short break, the students were given an opportunity to participate in an hour long interview skill building exercise with 18 outstanding Deloitte volunteers.  This led to a working a lunch with the volunteers, in which the Alumni facilitated discussions about how the Peer Leaders can influence the college-going culture in their schools.  The day closed with a fun-filled College Jeopardy activity led by “Veronica Trebek” in which the Peer Leaders worked in teams to answer critical college 101 trivia questions.