Siena Heights offers financial aid to Adrian High grads

With an agreement between Adrian Public Schools and Siena Heights University, Adrian students now have more incentive to seek a college education closer to home.

“Education should change people’s lives,” said Siena president Sister Peg Albert to Adrian High School administrators. “We have to prepare people for lifelong learning. We’re thrilled to be

partnering with our local high school.”

Albert and Adrian superintendent Del Cochran signed an agreement Monday that will offer Adrian High School students more than $500,000 in scholarships to attend Siena over the next four years.

Students who meet Siena’s regular admissions requirements are guaranteed at least $6,000 in financial aid under the deal. Annual scholarships, which will be designated for AHS graduates, including performing and fine arts scholarships, range in value from $4,000 to $10,000. All told, Siena will commit $128,500 for each entering AHS class over the life of the agreement.

“We want students to understand that a college education is accessible,” said Frank Hribar, Siena’s vice president for enrollment management. “The next step is to make a college education affordable.”

Hribar said around 30 percent of the university’s traditional student population comes from Lenawee County. He expects that number to rise as demand and accessibility to Siena increase with the announced partnership.

He said partnering with Adrian schools became a reality when Albert challenged Siena staff to “be bold and think higher.” After working with Adrian administrators, Hribar thinks the two parties have developed a deal that others will try to emulate.

“When I start to think about it I can be overwhelmed at the number of possibilities,” he said.

Both Hribar and Adrian High School principal Chris Timmis said they are excited about opportunities for not only students but faculty at both institutions. Siena faculty instructing courses at AHS, collaboration between the schools’ theater departments and future partnerships involving Siena’s new nursing program were among possibilities discussed at a news conference Monday.

“I really applaud Siena for opening the door,” Timmis said. “We can form some bridges with professional development but the co-teaching opportunities are huge.”

Timmis presented the agreement to the district’s board of education Monday night.

“It’s great for our kids, it’s great for us, it’s a great partnership between the two,” he told trustees.

According to former high school principal Gerald Burg, the district typically sends between 10 and 15 students per year to Siena. He also said many students who initially leave the area to attend college will return to the university to finish their degree. He said the partnership is a step in the right direction.

“It’s been a long time coming,” Burg said. “The relationship has always been good, and this just promotes it that much more.”

The agreement, which also offers AHS students priority in admissions decisions and residence halls accommodations, is valid through 2012. The university will evaluate the agreement throughout its term, Hribar said.

Timmis said the deal is also a sign of possible further partnership between the two institutions in the future.

“The doors it will open will lead to many great things we can do to help our kids,” he said.