When Henderson Community College officials were looking for a focus group of African-American students, they started with the Henderson County High School Notorious Steppaz.
"This group of students from the step team are already working together and so they know the power of teamwork and of working as an individual," HCC Director of Cultural Diversity Bill Dixon said recently after a candid talk with students that lasted more than an hour.
"We hope they spread this information to other students. We want them to do something with their education after high school."
When you're a hard working student like Tabitha Henigan or Niria Floyd -- both of whom want college degrees -- beginning that process at Henderson Community College is not only convenient. It's affordable, too.
So as students asked about the current cost of attending HCC -- $115 per credit hour -- Dixon and his staff members countered with explanations about Pell grants and KEES money.
Pell grants, HCC assistant dean of grants/special projects Meg Burnley explained, are free money for college students who keep their grades up. And KEES money is given to students based on each year of their high school grade point average. Both can be used at HCC, which is actively trying to recruit more African-American students, Dixon said.
"We are doing this specifically with African-American students," he said after the focus group ended. "We feel that if we increase the number of African-American students at the college, then we can increase the numbers of other minorities (there), too."
The students seemed pleased to be asked how to make the campus more appealing. Some wondered about extra-curricular activities and sports, while others wanted to make sure that the classes they would be taking would definitely be useful later on in their careers.
One parent, Teresa Thomas, said the college's visit on Thursday was important because it let the students know that they are wanted at the college regardless of their income and their race.
"A lot of them hear that they won't make it," she added.
Dixon said that the professors and advisors are there to help the students meet their goals. Many of the classes offered at HCC are core curriculum classes that students at other four-year college and universities take as well, but they are less expensive to receive credit for at HCC.
Plus, with small class sizes and animated class discussions, the courses at HCC are well worth the students' time, Dixon said.
"My colleagues believe that you can do it as long as that seed is within you and as long as others encourage that, it can be done," he added.
Some students said an apparent downside to the local college is the relatively few extracurricular activities and clubs compared to other out-of-town colleges and universities. Current clubs include intramural bowling, a history club and student government.
But officials said new clubs are welcome. The students seemed excited to learn that, even though there was not a step team at the college, one could be formed very easily.
One thing that is not likely to change is the lack of a strong athletic system at HCC, Dixon said, adding that that was his personal opinion based on the history of the state community college system. Some students were disappointed by that. Others said they would like to leave Henderson so they could meet new people, while one girl said bigger cities provide more job opportunities.
But officials said the college provides job training for those who need it, and those who attend HCC can receive licensing/certificates within technology programs if they do not choose to receive an associate's degree.
Meanwhile, the talk seemed to be a success for most of those who took part. And Dixon said he plans to organize tours later this year for students and their parents to visit the college. A field day -- where students will have the option of sitting in on classes and meeting with department heads and teachers -- has been set for April 16 at the college. That's when the step team may perform as well, Dixon said. The rain date is April 23.
"I thought it was very good," said Tabitha Henigan, a sophomore. "It informed me about the college, and I can be closer to my family and get an education."
The 16-year-old is currently taking classes in the health sciences program at County High and would like to be a neonatal nurse, she said.
Senior Niria Floyd, 18, said she knew she wanted to go to college after she visited her older sister, who attended the University of Louisville. That's her first choice for college, she said, but she added that HCC provides a lot of benefits as well.
"I'm really looking forward to them coming back and hopefully they will have more programs from our ideas," Floyd said.
