College success coaches gear up to assist more 21st Century Scholars

Representing about 13% of Purdue University Fort Wayne’s student enrollment, Indiana’s 21st Century Scholars often need to feel their way through the process as they get acclimated to college. Madeline Minobe and DeShawn Woods, PFW’s new college success coaches, are there to help make that transition a lot smoother.

Established in 1990, the 21st Century Scholars program, which helps students from families that meet certain income eligibility guidelines, pays up to 100% of tuition at public colleges such as PFW. The Indiana Commission for Higher Education awarded PFW and the Office of Admissions a $160,000 grant during the fall 2024 semester to bolster program resources and services. That led to Minobe and Woods being chosen for their roles.  

This academic year served as a crash course in experience for the coaches and incoming students, but Minobe and Woods say they’ve learned quite a bit, and evolved to help the program grow even more.

“For some, we might be the first signs of support they’ve had in their lives,” Woods said. “Just being there to help them make those decisions helps them carve their path.”

Because they’ve already been through their own similar situations, Woods and Minobe, B.A. ’22, are there to walk beside the students as they find their path, often serving as big siblings, counselors, or even older friends who can provide suggestions.

“For me, it’s fulfilling in a sense that they have someone to go to for questions, help, or whatever—but also the sense that there’s someone on their side,” Minobe said. “No matter what they are going through, there’s someone there with them. We’re there to listen and help without doubt or judgment.”

The primary roles for both coaches are to engage, support, and retain students connected to the program, focusing on increased enrollment, persistence, degree completion, and the facilitation of high-demand career opportunities. Sometimes that means reminding students that their financial aid forms are due, directing them to where they can find help for problems on campus, or simply responding to a request for help late at night.

The duo said they didn’t fully understand their impact until it started happening. Seeing firsthand how effective their help could be provided them with a better understanding, but also inspiration.

“I could see the sense of relief some of the students have when they reach out,” Minobe said. “Some of them are the first people in their families to go to college, and they are so thankful to have someone who is there to help.”

The success coaches said they can’t answer every question, but they know the different offices on campus where resources, support, and more information can be found. One of the first duties for Minobe and Woods was to tour all the support and academic offices to introduce themselves.

In 2023, Indiana changed the law to automatically enroll all eligible 7th and 8th grade students into the 21st Century Scholars program. Because of that, the number of eligible students is increasing to more than 90,000. Before the legislation, potential enrollment ranged from 16,000 to 19,000 per academic year.

That’s not only a great opportunity for Indiana students, but also for PFW to connect with more prospective students at their high schools, Minobe said.

Anyone interested in learning more about 21st Century Scholars initiatives at PFW may email [email protected].