Oxford High School Summer Experience Program Gives Local Students a Taste of College Life
The Summer Experience Program brings together high schoolers from Newton and Putnam County for a week of college-like activities at Oxford College of Emory University.
This summer, Oxford College of Emory University welcomed nearly 60 rising sophomores and juniors from Newton and Putnam counties for a week-long introduction to college life. High schoolers attended college-level classes, participated in college-readiness workshops, made pizza on the farm, engaged in community service activities, and much more.
The program, led by the Faculty Coordinator of Summer Programming, Dr. LaTonia D. Taliaferro-Smith, and Assistant Dean for Academic Planning and Programs, Regina Barrett, aims not only to prepare attendees for college but also to excite them about what lies ahead. "We are intentional about making this experience rich, engaging, and memorable. If students leave here feeling drawn to college life, and especially to the Oxford community, then we have done our job."
“It was an opportunity for Oxford to play a significant role in outreach and community engagement by reaching out to our local Newton and Putnam County students who had great potential to be Emory students.”
Participants attended workshops this week covering foundational skills, including professional development, leadership training, essay writing, and more. Dr. Taliaferro-Smith sees the program as a comprehensive preparation experience, one that gives students the tools, mindset, and readiness to succeed not just at Oxford, but at any institution they call home.
Attendees also took college-level courses in Computer Science, Creative Writing, and Chemistry, where they learned about AI thinking pathways, writing poetry, and making cheese.
Jordan Troutman, a college and career specialist for Newton County and a chaperone for the trip, enjoyed watching the high schoolers learn throughout this week. She notes that “the students are doing real assignments when they go to the classes. They're not going into the class to play a game, put on a fake show, or experiment. They're really engaged and learning something new.”
This learning also led many participants to self-discovery. Those who had never considered exploring a particular subject became interested in learning more about it.
Donovan Baker, a Chemistry and Physics teacher at Putnam County who also served as a chaperone for this trip, echoes this sentiment. “Some kids from the program [are saying] that I didn't know science or math was like that at the college level, and that's something I might want to do. So it doesn't only show them that college isn't that bad, but that they can do it.” This week introduced students to new subjects and boosted their confidence and curiosity as learners.
Students gave back to the broader community through a series of meaningful service activities, including crafting blankets for hospice patients, assembling chew toys for local animal shelters, and creating truth cards for a child advocacy organization. The session was preceded by remarks from guest speaker Judge Destiny Bryant, who talked to the group during lunch about
the profound importance of community service. The program also hosted other activities, including movie night, pizza at the Oxford Organic Farm, and recreational games.
The week concluded with student presentations showcasing what they gained from the weeklong experience, delivered through a variety of creative formats including slideshows, videos, and podcasts. Many students reflected warmly on the Oxford campus, the close relationships between faculty and students, and the wealth of opportunities the college offers.
Beyond introducing participants to college life, the program also invests in developing student leaders. Returning participants can serve as Peer Leaders, taking on additional responsibilities while building leadership and mentoring skills. Peer Leaders played an integral role throughout the week, facilitating daily group sessions that helped students reflect on their experiences and prepare their final presentations. They also participated in workshops tailored specifically to their development, including design thinking and Facilitator Training, gaining practical leadership skills that extended beyond the classroom.
Makayla Darnell, a Peer Leader from Newton County, shares about the community within the Peer Leadership group. “We all really helped each other with the leadership. Whenever someone may not know something, the other one can fill in and make sure that we answer everything correctly.”
Most importantly, the high schoolers left inspired after this experience, coming out of their shell in different ways and creating connections that will last a lifetime.
Arieyl Pettigrew, an incoming junior at Putnam County High School, reflects on the friendships she made throughout the program. “I didn't know that I was going to come in here and actually make so many new connections. The friendships were just amazing. We made a lot of new friends and connections here. I recommend it!”
From the quiet conversations during introductions on Monday to the chatter on Friday’s last session, the conversations students shared created more than a moment but an unforgettable community. Pettigrew remarks, “You are going to take this experience everywhere with you. You're going to remember this forever.” The experience lasted just a week, but it will pave the way for these high schoolers' future.
“Students will say they're introverted and then by the end, you see them just blossom, talking to everybody, meeting new friends, even friends that go to a school in a different county! Even today we saw students line dancing.”
Pettigrew concludes with advice for the program's next cohort. “Just talk to everybody and enjoy it. Even though you may have been ready to go when you were here, when you leave, you think about how much fun you had here, and it's going to make you want to come back. You're like, dang, I miss Oxford. “
For many participants, the week was about more than preparing for college. It was about discovering new interests, building confidence, and forming friendships that extend beyond county lines. By the end of the week, these high school students left Oxford with more than a glimpse of college life. They departed with new confidence, new friendships, and a stronger belief in what they can achieve beyond high school.
