To: Dr.

Dana Mitra

From: Christopher Sosnowski

Date: 6/15/2020

Subject: Blog Entry #2 (Organization Mission)

Question:

What is the mission of the organization? How do written materials reflect the purpose
and activities of the organization?

Response:

To answer this question, I decided to take a look at Penn State Talent Search's web
page. Penn State defines its Talent Search program as "one of the Federal TRIO Programs
dedicated to assisting high school students in furthering their education." In particular, Penn
State Talent Search's web page stresses that its services are primarily available to students
who are from low-income households, and whose parents did not go to college.

TRIO programs have been around for a long time, dating back to the Great Society. A
collection of 8 targeted programs, TRIO represents a concerted effort by the US Federal
Government to provide equitable higher education opportunities to those who might otherwise
not get such opportunities. TRIO programs across the country are overseen by the US
Department of Education, and language associated with the program can be found on the
Department’s website. The website stresses how TRIO programs “identify and provide services
to individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds,” and how the programs are "targeted to serve
and assist low-income individuals, first-generation college students, and individuals with
disabilities.” The page for Talent Search particularly emphasizes the programs focus on
assisting students from Highschool, and its services such as counseling and workshops on
higher education.

Finally, to reflect upon the written materials of Penn State Talent Search, I decided to
take a look at the materials released by the Penn State Department for Educational Equity. This
department of Penn State oversees the Penn State Talent Search program, and its mission
states that "The Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity serves as a catalyst and
advocate for Penn State's diversity and inclusion initiatives. Educational Equity's vision is a
Penn State community that is an inclusive and welcoming environment for all.” Beyond
overseeing Talent Search, the department also oversees Penn State’s Office of Affirmative
Action, provides resources for diversity, and upholds the values of Penn State.

After reading over these materials, a couple of things stand out. All three sites that I
visited seemed to stress ideals such as equity and opportunities for those in need. Reflecting
upon these written materials makes me think about the future of higher education, and in
particular how with each passing day, more and more jobs and opportunities become locked
behind acquiring a degree. It’s no secret that this sort of “credentialization" is taking place. I
think about the report conducted in 2013 by Georgetown University, predicting that by today,
2020, 65% of all jobs in the economy would require some form of education beyond high
school. I think about my journey into higher education. How I knew that I wanted to attend a
university since I was young. I think about all the talented students that have shared that same
urge to learn, and yet because of a lack of opportunities, simply could not continue on towards
completing a degree. Reflecting upon these things gets me excited to begin my internship. For
a long time, I have wanted to help provide a strong education to students in need. I have
known this ever since my life was changed over the summer thanks in full to the talented
counselors and staff that I met at the YMCA. Talent Search clearly seeks to provide support
and mentorship to students that need it more than I ever did, and because of this, I think it will
be a great fit for me over the course of the next couple of months.