FHIGH SCHOOL CONNECTIONS

Words by Brittany Kelley, MSUM Writer Photography by David Arntson, MSUM Marketing & Communications

CConnecting the community, and especially kids and teenagers, to Minnesota State University Moorhead is a passion of Shireen Alemadi’s. She has coordinated the summer program College for Kids & Teens (CFK&T) since 2011, but as the university’s recently named community outreach coordinator, she’s expanding that impact.

Alemadi has grown College for Kids to include Teens and classes that appeal to high school students. More than 1,200 students attended classes last year that encourage exploration, adventure and creativity in areas such as arts, science, technology, nature and more.

In response to parents asking for camps for high school students to explore career options, MSUM will be offering three new summer camps this year for students entering 9th through 12th grade.

Multimedia Camp will expose high school students to broadcasting, video, web, blogging and writing, and will give them an opportunity to experience what it would be like to work in the multimedia journalism field. With sponsorship from The Forum Communication Company and MSUM’s Marcil Center for Innovative Journalism, the Multimedia Camp gives students an opportunity to work alongside professors and working professionals in multimedia journalism.

“It has been great working with Merrie Sue (director of the Marcil Center for Innovative Journalism) to create a unique opportunity for high school students to come to campus and learn about various aspects of journalism,” Alemadi said. “Students will work to create multiple finished pieces by the end of the week.”

Coding Camp is a one-of-a-kind camp new to Fargo-Moorhead. Working with faculty, students and local businesses, the four-day camp will introduce the process of building websites and web applications. Students will learn front-end web design and web application development from working professionals and educators. Students will also get to meet representatives and mentors from local technology companies and learn about the industry. Myriad Mobile is collaborating on this camp.

SCRUBS Camp is a collaborative project with HealthForce Minnesota and is for students interested in pursuing careers in the health care or medical field. The six-day residential camp will expose students to what campus life is like while learning about different health careers. This camp will partner with area businesses and organizations such as Essentia, M State and others to provide the most up-to-date health opportunities to interested students.

“Students can come to these camps and interact with other students that share similar interests. We know they will have a wonderful experience and make some great new friends. These camps can help solidify what they might want to major in when they come to college,” Alemadi said.

These summer camps are an excellent way to invest in students’ futures as well as showcase all MSUM has to offer potential students. To learn more about these summer camps or College for Kids & Teens, visit mnstate.edu/outreach.