Recommendations / Education / Big Idea # 1: Be the Spark

Big Idea # 1: Be the Spark

Part of the "SUPER TROUPERS" initiative

EducationLagrange/Troup Under $250,000

Overview

Launch a community connection initiative for college students during freshman year through a student discount card, a community-infused freshman experience course, a collegiate leadership experience, and a HYPE mentorship program. The initiative is intended to expose students to Troup County’s businesses, nonprofits, government, churches, civic clubs, community leaders, and young professionals so students feel valued during college and after graduation.

Action plan

Short-term
July 2017–December 2017: Establish a student discount card strategic planning committee; implement the student discount card program; prepare new discount cards to be distributed with parking passes at the beginning of each academic year; establish an exploratory committee to build a HYPE mentorship program with college students.
Medium-term
January 2018–May 2018: Establish a strategic planning group for the new freshman experience course that includes community partnerships, tours, and service learning; create the leadership experience/course; appoint student government leaders from each college/university to serve as members on strategic planning committees; charge the HYPE mentorship exploratory committee with defining the program and preparing for implementation.
Long-term
August 2018–December 2018: Implement the leadership course/experience; launch the HYPE Mentorship Program; identify standout members of the leadership program and student government representatives to serve on community/college master planning committees, community organization boards, and other community leadership positions; appoint student leaders to defined community planning positions.

Expected impact

Graduate RetentionEconomic

Tracks whether graduate retention rises in Troup County through the student connection programs.

Timeframe: Long-term
Student Community InternshipsEducational

Tracks number of student community internships from the leadership course.

Timeframe: Long-term
Leadership Course ParticipationEducational

Tracks number of students involved in the leadership course.

Student Discount Card TransactionsEconomic

Tracks the number of transactions at businesses honoring the student discount card.

Timeframe: Short-term
Student Sense of BelongingCommunity

Tracks whether students feel valued and connected to Troup County during college and after completing their degree.

Timeframe: Long-term
Student Volunteer HoursCommunity

Tracks number of student volunteering hours through the leadership experience course.

Strategic Planning ParticipationInstitutional

Tracks number of students involved in strategic planning.

HYPE Mentorship ParticipationEducational

Tracks number of students participating in the HYPE Mentorship Program.

Timeframe: Long-term

Key stakeholders

Cities of LaGrange, West Point, and HogansvilleCallaway FoundationLaGrange CollegePoint UniversityWest Georgia Technical CollegeTroup County Chamber of CommerceDowntown LaGrange Development AuthorityAlumni AssociationsLocal Printing CompaniesIndividual Angel Donors by Way of AlumniLocal BusinessesDowntown Restaurants/StoresStrategic Planning CommitteeCommunity LeadersHYPE

Estimated budget

Total for all four ideas: $46,000 annually. Discount Cards: $1,000 annually. Freshman Class: $15,000 annually. Leadership Experience Course: $25,000 annually. HYPE Mentorship: $5,000 annually.