History

Pipeline NAU is a mentoring program created and developed in 1997 by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flagstaff (BBBSF) in partnership with the Flagstaff Unified School District and Northern Arizona University (NAU). Using a strong referral and interview process, BBBSF selected 20 low-income Flagstaff eighth graders who were in good academic standing and from first-generation college bound families; and BBBSF also selected 20 NAU faculty or staff interested in committing two hours a week for five years to a child in the program.

Goal

The key objective of the Pipeline program was for the NAU “Bigs” to develop relationships with their “Littles” based on the BBBSF mission “to help children succeed by matching them with appropriate adult mentors.” The specific focus of this program was to give these students first hand exposure to the benefits and opportunities of the college experience from those who understand it best. The ultimate goal of the program was to increase the likelihood that these students would successfully graduate from high school and subsequently pursue a post secondary education.

Students who maintained their grades and participation in the program were promised full scholarships to Northern Arizona University . Pipeline has been hugely successful: as of May 2005, fifteen of the students are “college bound.” Six Pipeline students are currently juniors at Northern Arizona University on full NAU scholarships, and nine are enrolled as freshmen at Northern Arizona University for 2005/2006 with full Gear Up NAU scholarships.

Gear Up

In 2000, Pipeline NAU at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flagstaff became a participant in the U.S. Department of Education GEAR UP program. This government effort allowed Pipeline NAU necessary funding and support, and because Big Brothers Big Sisters has a hundred-year history in successful mentoring across the nation, Pipeline NAU was able to offer expertise to the Gear Up NAU project. Additionally, since the Pipeline NAU program started three years before Gear Up, the students graduated from high school and entered college before most students at Gear Up sites. Thus, Pipeline was in the lead position which ultimately led to the creation of this web page.

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What's Next?!

In order to share this program's success with other Gear Up students Pipeline NAU has created a web page as part of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flagstaff website. This page is a resource generated by first generation college students for their peers.

High school students who are in the process or have already completed their financial aid/college application process may still have lots of questions about starting college. Although they have conquered some hurdles they still need to know “ What's Next? ” and this webpage, with personal testimonials and tidbits, resource lists and helpful hints, from students, parents and mentors, supplies this information.

We hope this web resource gives other students the opportunity to learn from both the successes, and the mistakes, of Pipeline NAU Cohort 1 as they find their own road to academic accomplishment and confidence.

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