College of Saint Mary to Host 4th Annual African/African American Summer Academy
OMAHA, NEB. – College of Saint Mary will host its 4th Annual African/African American Summer Academy July 9-14. During the week-long event, African and African American girls, entering sophomore and junior year of high school, will engage in skill-building activities and educational opportunities centered around art, science, and personal development. Guided within CSM’s Omaha campus, located in the heart of Aksarben Village, participants will be led by a highly trained team of faculty and staff.
“This is another excellent chance to promote opportunities for personal growth and empowerment in young women throughout our community,” said College of Saint Mary President Dr. Maryanne Stevens, RSM. “We are excited to welcome this talented group of students to learn and grow within the warmth of our campus.”
With a focus on the science of food, this year’s event will incorporate classes, seminars, and an in-depth look at some of today’s top career fields. Participants will explore the origin of food and delve into the science behind nutrition, while learning valuable life skills surrounding food science. In addition to taking college-style courses like Microbiology Behind Food, Parasites 101, and Entomology, campers will engage with community members through seminars and take trips to interact with local professionals.
“We have a Summer Academy Committee that has been working diligently to organize and make sure students have a great experience,” said CSM Director of Multicultural Initiatives Alexis Sherman. “We want to see students excited about going to college and excited about the possibilities after high school.”
In addition to promoting science, art, and active knowledge, the event is built to embolden and inspire girls. During the summer academy, participants will have a chance to share a meal and interact with local professionals and community leaders. Campers will also be exposed to comprehensive lessons and concepts surrounding food science from guest speakers. Throughout the event, campers will attend self-defense seminars, while exploring the power of self- discovery and reflection through dancing, art creation, writing, and community service projects.
“I think it’s always great to see the students’ transformation after they have these types of experiences,” said Sherman. “They’re very appreciative and come away with a little bit more maturity and understanding about opportunities that they can have in their lives after they graduate high school.”
The camp’s events will blend the advantages of CSM’s close-knit community setting with resources from throughout the broader Omaha metro. With an opportunity to learn, grow, and interact within an intimate CSM campus, campers will stay in on-campus residential halls throughout the week. They will also branch out into the greater Omaha area through community service projects and field trips, including a trip to the Union for Contemporary Art and to Crème de la Crème Cooking School, where students will learn about both the science and art of food.
College of Saint Mary’s 4th Annual African/African American Summer Academy, made possible through the support of Weitz Funds and First National Bank, will begin on Sunday, July 9 and will be capped with a family-inclusive graduation event on Friday, July 14. For more information about this year’s African/African American Summer Academy and other opportunities at College of Saint Mary, visit CSM.edu.
