ACT - Now "There's an app for that!"

This week, ACT released a new application for iPhone users. The FREE app, labeled "ACT's College Search," is in its first version with one slight update (1.0.1) and is now available to download from iTunes.


The ACT app is currently compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad, requiring iOS 4.1 or later. 

ACT's College Search contains profiles of almost every two-year and four-year higher education campus in the United States and is designed to allow users to begin discovering colleges and universities that may match their individual post-secondary wants and needs.

App users may search by school names or by selecting specific preferences, such as location, size of student body, type of institution, cost, etc. Similar to most web-based search programs, a list of potential matches is generated and then app users have the option to more carefully research those particular colleges and universities. The opportunity to save "favorites" is also available, as are links to all of the campus websites.


Only two consumer reviews have been posted so far, both favorable in nature (5 stars and 3 stars), suggesting a positive first effort by ACT, yet noting the absence of more advanced search options.


Will YOU be downloading this app to your smart phone? If so, please post a comment to this article to share your impressions.


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Collegiate Backgrounds of Kansas City Mayoral Candidates

As next week's February 22 primary election of Kansas City Mayor draws near, here is a listing of the collegiate educational backgrounds of the seven candidates (in alphabetical order by last name):

MIKE BURKE

• BA in History from Georgetown University
• JD from Georgetown University

MARK FUNKHOUSER

• BA in Political Science from Thiel College
• MSW (with emphasis in Group and Family Practice) from West Virginia University
• MBA (with emphasis in Accounting and Finance) from Tennessee State University
• PhD (interdisciplinary) in Public Administration and Sociology from University of Missouri Kansas City

DEB HERMANN

• did not earn college degree (NOTE: a college degree is not a requirement for this office)

SLY JAMES

• BA in English from Rockhurst University (formerly Rockhurst College)
• JD from University of Minnesota

HENRY KLEIN

• BS in Business Marketing from Indiana University

JIM ROWLAND

• BA in Industrial and Labor Relations from Rockhurst University (formerly Rockhurst College)

It was announced today that Dr. Wheeler has dropped out of the mayoral race, but since his name will still appear on the ballot, his educational credentials have been included on this list, as well.

CHARLES WHEELER

• BA from University of Louisville
• MD from University of Kansas
• JD from University of Missouri Kansas City

Undergraduate Alma Maters for Local Broadcast Journalists

We see many of these anchors and reporters on the televisions in our homes every day. While occasionally, especially regarding heated athletic rivalries that cross state lines, we do learn of where these news personalities received their undergraduate degrees, our local stations employ broadcast journalists who have graduated from colleges and universities across the country.

Here is a short list (in alphabetical order by last name) highlighting some of those campuses, both the well-known and the less publicized institutions of higher education:

• Greg Adaline (KCTV anchor) Oakland University

• Elizabeth Alex (KSHB anchor) University of Arkansas

• Mark Alford (WDAF anchor) University of Texas Austin

• Maria Antonia (KMBC anchor/reporter) University of Miami

• Mark Clegg (KSHB anchor) University of Texas Arlington

• Christa Dubill (KSHB anchor) University of Kansas

• Karen Fuller (KCTV anchor) Drake University

• Nick Griffith (KMBC sports reporter) Miami University of Ohio

• Loren Halifax (WDAF anchor) Abilene Christian University

• Sloane Heller (KSHB reporter) University of California Berkeley

• Susan Hiland (WDAF anchor) Missouri State University

• John Holt (WDAF anchor) University of Kansas

• Sherita Hutton (WDAF reporter) Texas Christian University

• Kelly Jones (KCTV anchor) Wayne State University

• Ryan Kath (KSHB reporter) Gustavus Adolphus College

• Kris Ketz (KMBC anchor) St. Ambrose University

• Jeanene Kiesling (KCTV reporter) Pittsburg State University

• Keith King (KSHB reporter/anchor) Eastern Illinois University

• Karen Kornacki (KMBC sports reporter) University of Denver

• Carolyn Long (KCTV anchor) Kent State University

• Larry Moore (KMBC anchor) University of Missouri Columbia

• Donna Pitman (KMBC anchor) University of Missouri Columbia

• Kathy Quinn (WDAF reporter) University of Missouri Kansas City

• Justin Robinson (KMBC reporter) Tulane University

• Larry Seward (KSHB reporter) Ohio University

• Lindsay Shively (KSHB reporter) University of Missouri Columbia

• Matt Stewart (KCTV anchor) Northwestern University

• Lance Veeser (KSHB sports reporter) Marshall University

• Brenda Washington (KMBC reporter) Avila University

• Betsy Webster (KCTV reporter) Wellesley College

• Phil Witt (WDAF anchor) University of Nebraska

College Goal Sunday/FAFSA Frenzy - February 13*

The Missouri Association of Student Financial Aid Personnel (MASFAP) and the Missouri Department of Higher Education have partnered with the Lumina Foundation for Education and the YMCA to coordinate the College Goal Sunday program for 2011.

In Missouri, the program name has changed to "FAFSA Frenzy" and sessions will be offered on one Sunday, as has been the case historically, with a few locations offering later dates and times.

This statewide program is free, offering high school seniors and their families the opportunity to meet with financial aid professionals and to get hands-on assistance with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Dates, times, and locations for "FAFSA Frenzy" hosts on the Missouri side of the state line in the Kansas City metro area and Saint Joseph are listed below.

Unless otherwise noted, the event will take place on Sunday, February 13 from 2pm to 4pm.

Belton High School

(107 Pirate Parkway, Belton)

Blue Springs South High School

(1200 SE Adams Dairy Parkway, Blue Springs)

Educational Opportunity Center

(3100 Main Street, Suite 100, Kansas City)

Grandview High School

(2300 High Grove Road, Grandview)

Hogan Preparatory Academy

(1221 East Meyer Boulevard, Kansas City)

**Saturday, February 12 from 2pm to 4pm

ITT Technical Institute

(9150 East 41st Terrace, Kansas City)

Metropolitan Community College Blue River Campus

(20301 East 78 Highway, Independence)

**Friday, March 25 from 5pm to 7:30pm

**Saturday, March 26 from 9am to 11:30am

Metropolitan Community College Maple Woods Campus

(2601 NE Barry Road, Kansas City)

Missouri Western State University

(Spratt Hall Auditorium, 4525 Downs Drive, St. Joseph)

YMCA of Greater Kansas City – Linwood Center

(3800 East Linwood Boulevard, Kansas City)

WHAT TO BRING

• 2010 W-2 forms
• copies of 2010 tax forms
• If 2010 returns have not been filed, bring statements of interest earned in 2010, last December 2010 paystub showing year to date earnings, 2009 tax forms
• Student AND parent PINs (apply for PINs at www.pin.ed.gov BEFORE attending)

Colleges & Universities Represented in Super Bowl XLV

The following is a comprehensive listing of the ninety colleges and universities represented by members of the Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers, the two teams playing in the February 6, 2011 Super Bowl XLV.

This list, in alphabetical order, includes active players, practice squad, and those on injured reserve.

Alcorn State University

Arizona State University

Arkansas State University

Auburn University

Baylor University (2 players)

Bethune-Cookman University

Boise State University (2 players)

Boston College (2 players)

Bowie State University

Bowling Green State University (2 players)

Brigham Young University (3 players)

California State University Fresno

Central Michigan University (4 players)

Clemson University (2 players)

East Carolina University (2 players)

Eastern Illinois University

Eastern Michigan University (2 players)

Florida State University (2 players)

Georgia Institute of Technology (2 players)

Grand Valley State University

Hofstra University

Idaho State University

Indiana University

James Madison University

Kansas State University

Kent State University

Louisiana State University (3 players)

Louisiana Tech University

Marshall University (2 players)

Miami University of Ohio (2 players)

Michigan State University

Middle Tennessee State University

Minnesota State University Mankato

Mississippi State University

Nicholls State University

Northwestern University

Ohio State University (4 players)

Oregon State University (2 players)

Penn State University (2 players)

Purdue University (2 players)

San Diego State University

San Jose State University

Shippensburg University

Southern Methodist University

Syracuse University

Tennessee State University

Texas Christian University

Texas Tech University

Troy University

Tulane University

University of Alabama (2 players)

University of Arkansas

University of Buffalo

University of California Berkeley (2 players)

University of California Los Angeles (2 players)

University of Central Florida (3 players)

University of Cincinnati (2 players)

University of Colorado (2 players)

University of Florida

University of Georgia (3 players)

University of Illinois

University of Iowa

University of Kentucky

University of Louisiana at Lafayette

University of Louisiana at Monroe

University of Louisville (2 players)

University of Miami

University of Michigan (3 players)

University of Minnesota

University of Mississippi

University of Missouri

University of Montana

University of Nebraska

University of Nevada Las Vegas

University of North Carolina Chapel Hill (2 players)

University of Northern Colorado

University of Notre Dame (2 players)

University of Oregon (2 players)

University of Southern California (2 players)

University of Tennessee (5 players)

University of Texas (5 players)

University of Texas El Paso

University of Utah (2 players)

University of Virginia (2 players)

University of Wisconsin

University of Wyoming

Utah State University

Virginia Polytechnic and State University (2 players)

West Virginia University

Western Michigan University

Celebrating HBCUs During Black History Month

February is Black History Month. While many historical and current individuals are being honored for their contributions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, better known as HBCUs, should also be recognized.

The Higher Education Act of 1965 defined an HBCU as "...any historically black college or university that was established prior to 1964, whose principal mission was, and is, the education of black Americans, and that is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association determined by the Secretary [of Education] to be a reliable authority as to the quality of training offered or is, according to such an agency or association, making reasonable progress toward accreditation."

In 1980, President Carter signed an executive order establishing a federal program "... to overcome the effects of discriminatory treatment and to strengthen and expand the capacity of historically black colleges and universities to provide quality education."

In the thirty-one years since, every sitting President of the United States has signed additional executive orders to expand the reach of the White House Initiative on HBCUs, including creating a Presidential Advisory Board to inform the President of issues affecting the higher education of African-American students. This includes President Obama who renewed the Initiative on February 26, 2010.  

There are 105 HBCUs, both public and private, in nineteen states, plus the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands. These campuses enroll more than 300,000 students who are experiencing the mission of the White House Initiative on HBCUs, "To strengthen the capacity of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to provide excellence in education."

As is true for more traditional colleges/universities, some schools enjoy a heightened level of popularity among prospective students. Some of the more prominent HBCUs include:

Alcorn State University (Lorman, MS)

Clark Atlanta University (Atlanta, GA)

Dillard University (New Orleans, LA)

Fisk University (Nashville, TN)

Florida A&M University (Tallahassee, FL)

Grambling State University (Grambling, LA)

Hampton University (Hampton, VA)

Howard University (Washington, DC)

Morehouse College (Atlanta, GA)

Prairie View A&M University (Prairie View, TX)

Spelman College (Atlanta, GA)

Xavier University (New Orleans, LA)

Some of our country's greatest leaders, entertainment industry giants, and athletic powerhouses are graduates of HBCU campuses. Here is a short list of examples:

Debbie Allen (Howard University)

Erykah Badu (Grambling State University)

WEB Dubois (Fisk University)

Medgar Evers (Alcorn State University)

Langston Hughes (Lincoln University, PA)

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King (Morehouse College)

Ronald McNair (North Carolina A&T State University)

Walter Payton (Jackson State University)

Jerry Rice (Mississippi State Valley University)

Ruben Studdard (Alabama A&M University)

Alice Walker (Spelman College)

Booker T. Washington (Hampton University)

Oprah Winfrey (Tennessee State University)

A great connectivity resource for prospective, current, and alumni students of HBCUs is HBCUConnect. The website (and its magazine) makes available a list of all of the HBCUs, scholarship opportunities, positions open for internships and full-time employment, as well as articles and blogs posted by HBCUConnect members.

In-State Tuition for Out-of-State Students

An article in yesterday's Kansas City Star announcing that Washburn University in Topeka, KS would be offering in-state tuition rates to Missouri residents sparked much discussion in the comment section of the newspaper's website. Several readers questioned how the campus was allowed to make that decision, with others weighing in that Washburn is not a Kansas Board of Regents school, therefore allowed to do as it pleases.

Actually, Pittsburg State University, which IS a Kansas Board of Regents school, has been offering in-state tuition rates to out-of-state students for several years. The "Gorilla Advantage" is not only for Missouri residents from specific counties (Barton, Barry, Bates, Cass, Cedar, Dade, Henry, Jackson, Jasper, Lawrence, McDonald, Newton, St. Clair, and Vernon), but also includes students from a set list of counties in both Oklahoma (Craig, Delaware, Mayes, Nowata, Ottawa, Rogers, Tulsa, and Washington) and Arkansas (Benton and Washington).

Emporia State University, also a Kansas Board of Regents school, offers what they term a "NEARR tuition rate." Although it is not the same as in-state tuition, it is a heavily reduced out-of-state rate for residents of Colorado, Nebraska, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas, more than half the cost for students enrolled from other states.

Many college/university campuses that are located in close proximity to state lines offer similar reciprocal agreements. Although this option is new to Washburn, this financial aid practice is anything but new (or controversial).

In fact, as another local example, the University of Missouri Kansas City offers the "Metro Rate" to residents of several Kansas counties (Atchison, Douglas, Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Leavenworth, Miami, Osage, Shawnee and Wyandotte).

The University of Missouri St. Louis also offers a "Metro Rate" for residents of the Illinois counties just across the river from their campus (Jersey, Madison, Monroe, and St. Clair).

One more example is the University of Arkansas, which offers the "Non-Resident Tuition Award" to incoming students from Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma who have a 3.25 or higher GPA and an ACT of at least 24 or 1130 SAT (freshmen) or a 3.0 or higher college GPA and 24 transferable hours (transfers). This financial aid provision covers the difference between in-state tuition and out-of-state tuition for qualified students.

Students and their families who are interested in attending a college/university outside of their own state should consult the financial aid office to learn whether or not an in-state or reduced tuition rate is available. 

If the lower tuition is not an option for incoming freshmen, investigate the process for becoming a resident of that state and how soon the in-state tuition cost could be applied to the student's financial aid package.

Colleges That Change Lives Coming Back to Kansas City

Parents of high school aged students will want to mark this date on your calendar now: Wednesday, August 31. That is when the Colleges That Change Lives tour will be returning to Kansas City after not including us on their schedule the last couple of years.

Not familiar? Colleges That Change Lives is a non-profit organization that strives to educate students and their families about the importance of finding the "best fit" when selecting a college/university education. Their mission and subsequent annual nationwide tours highlighting a specific set of colleges are based upon the best selling book, Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College, published in 1996 by retired New York Times education editor, Loren Pope. Although he passed away in 2008, his legacy is as poignant now as it ever was.

His chosen list of campuses is derived from years of research devoid of rankings from magazines, perceived quality or reputation based solely upon admission difficulty, size of endowments, or athletic prowess covered my national media outlets. Here is a listing of the colleges that are featured, all of which are smaller, liberal arts oriented campuses:

Agnes Scott College (Decatur, GA)

Allegheny College (Meadville, PA)

Antioch College (Yellow Springs, OH)

Austin College (Sherman, TX)

Beloit College (Beloit, WI)

Birmingham-Southern College (Birmingham, AL)

Centre College (Danville, KY)

Clark University (Worcester, MA)

College of Wooster (Wooster, OH)

Cornell College (Mt. Vernon, IA)

Denison University (Granville, OH)

Earlham College (Richmond, IN)

Eckerd College (St. Petersburg, FL)

Emory & Henry College (Emory, VA)

Evergreen State College (Olympia, WA)

Goucher College (Baltimore, MD)

Guilford College (Greensboro, NC)

Hampshire College (Amherst, MA)

Hendrix College (Conway, AR)

Hiram College (Hiram, OH)

Hope College (Holland, MI)

Juniata College (Huntingdon, PA)

Kalamazoo College (Kalamazoo, MI)

Knox College (Galesburg, IL)

Lawrence University (Appleton, WI)

Lynchburg College (Lynchburg, VA)

Marlboro College (Marlboro, VT)

McDaniel College (Westminster, MD)

Millsaps College (Jackson, MS)

New College of Florida (Sarasota, FL)

Ohio Wesleyan University (Delaware, OH)

Reed College (Portland, OR)

Rhodes College (Memphis, TN)

Southwestern College (Georgetown, TX)

St. John's College (Annapolis, MD)

St. John's College (Santa Fe, NM)

St. Olaf College (Northfield, MN)

Ursinus College (Collegeville, PA)

Wabash College (Crawfordsville, IN)

Wheaton College (Wheaton, IL)

Whitman College (Walla Walla, WA)

The Colleges That Change Lives Tour will be in Kansas City on Wednesday, August 31, beginning at 7pm, at the KCI Expo Center (11730 NW Ambassador Drive, KCMO 64153). The event is FREE to the public and will last approximately 1.5 hours.