NOVA to Host National #RealCollege Conference, Sept. 24-26, 2021
In partnership with the Hope Center for College, Community and Justice, NOVA will host the 5th annual #RealCollege conference at NOVA’s Alexandria Campus in September 2021. With the support of a national advisory committee, and the generosity of initial donors like ECMC Foundation, American Cancer Society and the Lumina Foundation, the conference is a call for communities to act on the real needs facing today’s college students in an effort to secure their basic needs.
Dr. Sara Goldrick-Rab, founder of The Hope Center for College, Community and Justice, and a Professor at Temple University, spearheaded the nationally-renowned research program to address students’ obstacles to higher education, famously known as #RealCollege. As she has continued the dialogue for student success, it has led to her work being featured in high-profile venues such as The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, SXSW and PBS NewsHour.
In the fall of 2019, NOVA led the community college discussion by hosting Dr. Goldrick-Rab for a ‘Student Needs Symposium.’ The Symposium revealed that 70 percent of two-year college students face housing or food insecurity. Further challenges for students included accessibility to needed resources, child care, transportation and mental health care. For 2021, NOVA’s support of the conference is pivotal as the second largest community college in the United States, and student needs will continue to be at the forefront of discussion.
Get Involved Now:
Tonight! Wednesday, April 29, 7:30 p.m., tune in live for Facebook Live for a conversation between Soledad O’Brien and Dr. Sara Goldrick-Rab. Pose your questions, share your thoughts and join us to raise funds for #RealCollege students as well.
Twitter Chat: Share your thoughts on the film at #RealCollege on all social media platforms, and join us for a special chat on Friday, May 1, at 1 p.m. EST. Make sure you are following @hope4college on twitter to get reminders and engage with the chat.