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Creating Opportunities for Higher Education

In 1998, the Oklahoma City Community Foundation launched a major initiative to increase the number of Oklahoma County students who attend college or technical training after high school graduation.

Founded on the concept that Counselor Training is the basis for the greatest assistance to the most students in our community, New Opportunities: A Scholarship and Guidance Network Initiative was implemented in central Oklahoma. Each year high school principals are asked to commit the efforts of one guidance counselor to participation in the Oklahoma City Community Foundation’s Central Oklahoma Guidance Network. To encourage and support that school’s commitment to participate, the Oklahoma City Community Foundation Trustees ensure that scholarships will be awarded in that high school.

The New Opportunities Initiative includes five scholarships programs:
Community Foundation Scholars for graduating seniors who are good students and good citizens.
Foundation of Promise Scholars for graduating seniors who will be first generation college students.
Oklahoma Youth with Promise for students graduating from Oklahoma's foster care system.
Non-Traditional Scholars for adults re-entering the world of education.
Nurse Education Program for health care professionals employed at five metro hospitals who are pursuing a nursing degree or certificate.

A New Opportunities Scholarship Directory for all students of Oklahoma County began with information provided by guidance counselors and prompted this portion of the Oklahoma City Community Foundation’s web site.

New Opportunities also includes Guidance Counselor Resource Grants. For some academic years, this small grants program has funded visits to college campuses, workshops to prepare students to do their best on ACT tests, and guidance training for senior level teachers so they can be mentors and advocates for students with educational dreams. For other years, these grants have funded registration for guidance counselors to attend regional training offered by the College Board.

Guidance Counselor Resource Grants are available only to high schools participating in the Central Oklahoma Guidance Network. An invitation to apply and program description is issued to each participating high school’s guidance counselor.

For more information on services the Oklahoma City Community Foundation provides to high school guidance counselors in Oklahoma County, please contact Linda Keefe at 405.606.2909 or Anna-Faye Rose at 405.606.2902.

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