Fall 2008 - Wheelock College

W H E E L O C K C O L L E G E A N N U A L R E P O R T O F G I V I N G • 2008
INTERVIEW
ADRIAN HAUGABROOK
vice president for student success and institutional diversity
WM: College affordability has been an issue for quite a while.
What impact is today’s economy having?
AH: The economy is placing greater demands on almost all families,
leaving them with fewer resources to put toward higher education. This
means students need more financial assistance and more and higher
amounts of loans. At the same time, obtaining college loans is more difficult
now, so it’s a real challenge for everyone, not just a few.
WM: If it were easier to get loans, would that solve the problem?
AH: It costs $38,030 to attend Wheelock this year. Solving the loan
problem might make it easier on the front end to afford to get to college,
but then on the back end the loan debt waiting for our graduating students
today is between $17,000 and $63,000, and it will go higher. That’s
a lot for any graduate, but for students who want to come here to become
teachers, social workers, and child life professionals, who will earn very
modest salaries, it’s huge. Right now, Wheelock is looking at how we can
increase federal assistance, reduce or subsidize the cost of attendance, and
raise more scholarship funds in such a stressed economy.
Getting to
“GO”
in Going to Wheelock
Dr. Adrian Haugabrook, Wheelock’s new vice president
for student success and institutional diversity, spends much
of his workday grappling with issues of affordability and
accessibility, twin challenges that are affecting more and more
students attempting to go to college in current economic times.
WM: What brought you to Wheelock?
AH: I’m at Wheelock because the College recognizes the need to provide
resources and a structure to address affordability and other issues of
accessibility. If we don’t address these issues now, not only do they become
worse while we lose time, but we also lose another generation of students
who have great talents to contribute to society but who can’t afford the
education needed to fulfill their potential.
WM: Do you see the financial realities of today keeping students
from entering the field?
AH: It’s too soon to tell, but it does add to our challenge. Schools and
communities desperately need good teachers and social workers. And part
of the job of my office is to open the doors for qualified students and
make access to the field easier for them. We can’t have high school students
from moderate- and low-income families giving up on going to college or
on becoming teachers and social workers. And we don’t want colleges
going back to the days when they were the domain of the privileged few.
Of course, access involves more than just affordability.
WM: Such as?
AH: Students and families need access to information and understanding
about what leads to college success. They need to know there is a path that
leads to college and how to get on it. Are they in a program that helps them be
ready for college? This is especially difficult for first-generation college students
and their families who may not know the college-going process, who need
financial assistance but don’t know what kinds of assistance are available or
how to fill out the forms. A while ago, I led a college planning session where a
parent said, “No one ever told me helping my son apply to college is a fulltime
job.” For many families, the reality of that situation is a barrier in itself.
WM: So what is Wheelock doing?
AH: Part of Wheelock’s higher education mission is to reach out and
create partnerships and collaborations with schools and community organizations.
It’s a way to build the path to college back into middle school and
high school — bringing students on campus during the academic year and
into summer programs and bridge programs so that they understand what
college involves and can prepare for it.
We’re also focusing on improving college preparation and success rates for
under-represented populations, including low-income and first-generation
students, as well as students of color and students with disabilities. Wheelock’s
new Upward Bound program, which focuses on preparing high school
students for college and the teaching profession, is a great example.
20 Fall 2008