Press Release

UA undergrads mentor high school students

Eller College MIS students take information technology to the community during spring break

TUCSON, Ariz. – APRIL 4, 2006 – Spring break 2006 embraced a multitude of pursuits among university students. At The University of Arizona, some students chose the beach, others the slopes, and a few spent their free time getting up early and going back to high school.

Eleven students from the Eller College of Management's Management Information Systems (MIS) Department stayed in Tucson during spring break to mentor a group of local high school seniors in a technology-based project. The students of Howenstine High School (Tucson, Ariz.) English teacher Sue Butler teamed up with Eller College to learn about the value and uses of technology during a unit focused on positive propaganda.

“The interaction with peers, with the college students, and with the technology was a winning combination,” said Butler. “Because the seniors look up to the Eller College students as role models, they were especially responsive to them. It was so satisfying to watch as each group developed a plan and began to map out tasks to accomplish their vision of their project.”

The Eller College students traveled to Howenstine three different times and then hosted the high school students at Eller College computer labs. The lab activity enabled Howenstine students to use film, digital photography, image manipulation, PowerPoint, and other programs to create posters, web pages, short films, and presentations.

“Howenstine was suggested to us because the principal, Mr. Hart, is extremely excited and forward thinking in the area of using technology in education. Our students will be working with Sue (Butler) and social studies teacher Todd Dollard on another film and print project in late April and May. We hope to continue this partnership as well as expand to 4 or 5 additional schools next academic year,” said Andrea Winkle, the Eller College MIS outreach program coordinator.

Christopher Lodge, an Eller College junior, said he felt good about being able to bring his mentoring and design skills to the Howenstine students’ project. “I worked with a total of four students. I left feeling very encouraged that there are high school students who really care about their work and put forth a large amount of effort to succeed,” he commented.

One of the students that Lodge mentored was junior, Tosha Meshell. “It was an experience I won’t forget,” she said.

The Eller College of Management MIS outreach project was designed to increase awareness in the community about careers and opportunities in the area of information technology (IT), and also to create a pipeline of students, from primary and secondary education into higher education, who are interested in technology related careers.

For information about participating in MIS and other Eller College outreach projects, contact Andrea Winkle 520.621.4810 or awinkle@eller.arizona.edu.

Media: There are photos of this event available. Contact Linda Herrick at 520.626.2590.

The Eller College of Management at The University of Arizona is internationally recognized for pioneering research, innovative curriculum, distinguished faculty, excellence in entrepreneurship, and social responsibility. U.S.News & World Report ranks the Eller undergraduate program #12 among public business schools and five of its departments are among the top 25 — Entrepreneurship, MIS, Marketing, Management and Organizations, and Accounting. The MPA program in the School of Public Administration and Policy ranks in the top 50. Financial Times ranks the Eller MBA full-time program #27 in the U.S. and #57 in the world, and Forbes ranks the program among the top 50 nationwide. The College leads the nation’s business schools in generating grant funds for research. In addition to a full-time MBA program, the Eller College offers an evening MBA program, and the Eller Executive MBA. The Eller College of Management supports more than 5,100 undergraduate and 600 graduate students on the UA campus in beautiful Tucson, Arizona.

Press Contact:
Liz Warren-Pederson, Eller College of Management
520.626.9547, news@eller.arizona.edu