Nashville middle schoolers get taste of college during visit

Sixty students from Oliver Middle School in Nashville toured the MTSU campus on March 19, learning about the expectations, challenges and rewards involved in getting a college education.

The five-hour tour included sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students, some who have never been on a college campus. OMS faculty members Adam Wicker and Darcia Deloach have worked with MTSU officials to arrange the trip.

“This will be an awesome experience for our students,” Deloach said prior to the trip. “They are very excited and we are very appreciative of MTSU working with us.”

Student ambassadors Mike Harris, a senior, left, and junior Carson Helton answer questions about MTSU during an Oliver Middle School Tour of campus on Tuesday, March 19. MTSU's Marketing and Communications office has partnered with the Nashville Metro school to expose its students to a university atmosphere. (Photo by Andy Heidt, Creative and Visual Services)

Student ambassadors Mike Harris, a senior, left, and junior Carson Helton answer questions about MTSU from Oliver Middle School students during a March 19 tour of campus. MTSU’s Office of Marketing and Communications has partnered with the Nashville Metro Public Schools facility to expose its students to a university atmosphere. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)

While at MTSU, students went on a short tour of campus and heard two undergraduate students explain how to prepare for college and what majors are available to college students, discuss challenges college students face and show fun things to do on campus. The youngsters also saw a presentation in the 360 Aerospace lab, visited with Honors College faculty, ate lunch on campus and visited the game room in the new Student Union.

“MTSU is devoted to student success, and that includes young students just beginning to think about college,” said Andrew Oppmann, associate vice president of marketing and communications at MTSU. “We are happy to do this for Oliver Middle School and any other school that wants to give their students a taste of the college experience.”

MTSU has developed a partnership with Oliver Middle during the last year to help the school enhance its students’ educational experience. The project is part of a larger strategic partnership between MTSU and The Tennessean. Later this month, students from Oliver Middle will be touring the Tennessean facility at 1100 Broadway in Nashville, meeting reporters and learning about the newspaper business.

Oliver Middle School is a fifth- through eighth-grade Metro Nashville Public School in southeast Nashville. Jenna Collins is principal.

— Doug Williams (doug.williams@mtsu.edu)