Local middle-school students learn the importance of preparing for college early

MUNCIE, IN - The only thing more expensive than getting a college education is not getting one. Today's job market is ever changing with more jobs requiring a college degree. Five Ball State University students have created a campaign, as part of the 2009 PRSSA Bateman competition, to teach kids how their actions now can affect their future.

The campaign, Roadtrip: Go for the Green focuses on raising awareness of the importance of a college degree today, getting good grades now to increase college accessibility, improving financial literacy and increasing awareness of resources to help guide academic choices among Muncie middle school students.

"During our initial research with students, we found that there was room for improvement in the financial aspects of attaining a college degree as well as opportunities available to students," said Jennifer Regnier, senior public relations major. "With the nations current economic state, we hope our campaign will help younger generations realize the importance of preparing for college academically and financially now so they are not dependent on loans later."

On Thursday, Feb. 26, the Ball State Bateman team will go to Delta Middle School and Northside Middle School [Anderson] to engage students in a board game created to help middle-school students start to prepare for college financially, academically and socially.

The Bateman Competition is a national case study competition established to give members of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) the opportunity to exercise their analytical skills and mature judgment required for public relations problem-solving.

"The competition is a great way for our students to implement the ideas they learn in the classroom," said Robert Pritchard, APR, Fellow PRSA and faculty advisor for the 2009 Ball State Bateman team. "With the economic hardships we are experiencing, this campaign will help students actively develop financial and academic foundations for collegiate preparation."