04/08/19
By Diane Gasper-O’Brien
University Relations and Marketing
HAYS, Kan. – About three years ago, the Kansas State Board of Education adopted an Individual Plan of Study for every student, beginning in the middle grades, as an aid to plan for success after high school.

Fort Hays State University is taking an innovative approach in helping students begin career exploration early in high school, providing organized campus visits long before their senior years.

Last week’s Tiger Mania, a visitation day designed exclusively for sophomores and juniors to explore FHSU, broke the all-time attendance record with 249 students and about 200 guests, such as parents, teachers and other school staff. That number is up considerably from just two years ago, when 143 students attended. Attendance increased by 42 students last year, then ballooned by nearly 65 more this year.

Fort  Hays State also sponsors similar events for juniors and seniors, and it started adding sophomores to that list a few years ago.

“I think a lot more students are taking the opportunity as juniors, and even sophomores, to prepare themselves for college,” said Hugo Perez, assistant director of Admissions. “Tiger Mania was a great opportunity for us to peak their interests.”

Students from all across the state, as well as some from Colorado and Nebraska, attended.

Phillipsburg High School brought its entire sophomore class of more than 40 students to take part in the event.

Suellyn Stenger, a guidance counselor at Hays High School, said that research shows it’s about their sophomore year in high school that students’ post-secondary education interests start jelling.

“I think it’s a very good thing that students are exploring their options early,” said Stenger, who has been in the education field for 30 years, including 11 as an HHS counselor. “Visiting colleges used to be more of a focus for their senior year. Then colleges started having junior days. Providing this for sophomores is great.”

“The  best decision is an informed decision,” Stenger continued. “If students can be getting that information now – early in their high school years – to help them make decisions, I’m all for that.”

Jeanne Isbell, a parent of two Hays High School students, said she thinks “it’s really important to do college tours.”

“The sooner, the better,” Isbell said. “This is a fantastic idea.”