Oregon State University Hosts Migrant Leadership Institute, Empowering High School Students from Farm Worker Families

Strategic Insights -

This month, Oregon State University (OSU) is hosting nearly 175 high school students from farm worker families across Oregon through the Oregon Migrant Leadership Institute (OMLI). The annual program takes place over three weeks, with each week featuring a different group of students selected from regions around the state. The institute includes group activities, field trips, and special mentorship, pairing high school students with college mentors from farm worker backgrounds. These mentors, part of the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP), are bilingual and come from similar backgrounds, providing valuable guidance and support to the students.

Key Takeaways:

  • Oregon State University is hosting the Oregon Migrant Leadership Institute (OMLI) for nearly 175 high school students from farm worker families across Oregon.
  • The institute takes place over three weeks, with each week featuring a different group of students selected from regions around the state.
  • The program includes group activities, field trips, and special mentorship, with a crucial component being the pairing of high school students with college mentors from farm worker backgrounds.
  • The mentors, participants in the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP), are bilingual and come from similar backgrounds, making them a valuable resource for the students.
  • The program aims to help students graduate from high school and encourage more to go on to college, with funding provided by the Oregon Department of Education through its migrant education program.
  • So far, the effort has shown promising results, with some OMLI mentors now graduating from college and serving as role models to the students.
  • The students have expressed feelings of empowerment and growth through the program, with many describing the experience as helping them become more confident and outgoing.

Statistics:

  • 175 high school students from farm worker families are participating in the Oregon Migrant Leadership Institute (OMLI) this month.
  • The program takes place over three weeks, with three different groups of students participating each week.
  • The College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) provides mentors for the OMLI program, with all mentors being bilingual and coming from similar backgrounds as the high school students.
  • Funding for the program is provided by the Oregon Department of Education through its migrant education program.
  • So far, the effort has shown positive results, with some OMLI mentors graduating from college and serving as role models to the students.

Sources:

  • Oregon State University press release, August 4
  • Jonathan Fernow, Title 1C migrant specialist for the Oregon Department of Education
  • Amas Aduviri, director of the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) and the Oregon Migrant Leadership Institute (OMLI)