Denver high school students gain glimpse of college experience

By Tom Hutton

CU President Bruce Benson poses for photos with high school students taking part in the Marquez Scholars Summer Institute at UCCS.

Some 20 students from 18 Denver public high schools participated in the Marquez Scholars Summer Institute at UCCS from May 31 through June 11.

The institute included a three-credit college class on social change, visits with local leaders and an outdoor leadership course at the Nature Place near Florissant. The students also had the opportunity to meet Chancellor Pam Shockley-Zalabak, CU President Bruce Benson and Gov. John Hickenlooper at a June 7 bill signing ceremony conducted on campus.

"The Marquez Scholars program allows students to experience first-hand what it is like to go away to college and to engage in college-level work," said Kee Warner, associate vice chancellor for diversity, Academic Affairs.

This is the second year for the Marquez Scholars program, organized by Warner and supported by Denver Public Schools and the Timothy and Bernadette Marquez Foundation in Denver.

To see more photos, go to: http://communique.uccs.edu/?p=4016