"At the end of the day, no matter what the President does, no matter what your teachers and principals do or whatever is going on in your home or in your neighborhood, the person with the biggest impact on your education is you. It's that simple. It is you, the student. And more than anything else, meeting that 2020 goal is going to take young people like all of you across the country stepping up and taking control of your education."
-First Lady Michelle Obama
A year ago, First Lady Michelle Obama's dream for students across America manifested into an education movement: Better Make Room-a campaign to change the national conversation on education, connect with students (like you), and celebrate college. Better Make Room gives students across the nation a space to speak out and helps support the college-navigating experience. And as seriously awesome as that is, it's not good enough. We need students like you to help Mrs. Obama build this movement from the ground up.
What is the Better Make Room Student Advisory Board?
Members of Mrs. Obama's inaugural Student Advisory Board are committed to making President Obama's North Star goal a reality-that our nation will ONCE AGAIN lead the world in college completion. These students are the groundbreakers and the trailblazers, the creators and the innovators, the organizers and the revolutionaries, who sit ready to catalyze a mass movement of their friends from college application to college graduation.
The Student Advisory Board's mission is (1) to create a college-going, college-persisting and college graduating culture at their schools (2) and to connect fellow students to any information and resources they might need to succeed. They wake up every day with a mission, working towards a vision that sees every student at their school enrolling in and completing their education past high school-whether that;s a professional training program, a community college, or a four-year college or university.
The Better Make Room Student Advisory Board is a project of Civic Nation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Who can join the Student Advisory Board?
Any student applying for the Student Advisory Board must be a current high school junior or senior OR a student currently in their first or second year of college. Applicants must also apply with a sponsor: an educator or administrator at their school who will provide encouragement and institutional support as the students execute their mission and any related projects for the Board. Applicants must currently attend a high school or post secondary education institution in the United States and its territories.
We are looking for students who have the ability (superpower!) to inspire and influence their peers, and to organize and execute projects and events. Experience in said areas is a huge bonus, but not required, because we're confident that your enthusiasm is more than enough. We especially encourage students who are traditionally underrepresented in post secondary education to apply, including students of color, students from low-income families, students currently attending or having previously attended Title I high schools, and first-generation college students. The world NEEDS to hear your stories. Help us out.
What does a Student Advisory Board member do?
- Each member is committed to making his or her own dreams a reality.
- high school members must strive to: complete the FAFSA, Apply to at least four post secondary institutions, enroll in a post secondary institution during the academic year immediately following their senior year of high school
- college members must strive to: renew their FAFSA every year (and encourage their friends to do so too), get connected to academic and personal support systems and resources on their campuses, persist in and graduate from college
Each member will set an additional personal goal related to his or her own aspirations, unique to each individual. And they better be big!
2.
BMR
Student Advisory Board members are committed to making themselves the absolute
best they can be. They will participate online in a few trainings per semester
to develop their personal leadership skills and to maximize their effectiveness
in their mission. They will work with their sponsors to grow and improve, as
well as collaborate with other coaches and take advantage of any support that
Better Make Room may provide, and of course-actively and consistently
participate in regular Student Advisory Board meetings. Finally, all Student Advisory
Board members are expected to demonstrate excellent character in accordance
with the privilege of Student Advisory Board membership. (Remember, all members
will ultimately represent Mrs. Obama!)
3.
Student
Advisory Board members are committed to taking action and making change in
their schools and communities. Each member will select a set of concrete goals
and projects specific to their school and community to accomplish each
semester, all for the purpose of furthering the mission of the Student
Advisory Board.
These goals and projects may include the following:
- FAFSA completion/renewal campaign and events
- College search/application campaigns and events
- Social media and marketing campaigns around college enrollment and graduation
- Dissemination of key college-going and college-persisting information, support, and resources
- Campaigns to promote students texting in to sign up for Up Next, the First Lady's free college support text-messaging tool
- Campaigns and events to share the stories of students who have beat the odds by enrolling in college and being on track for graduation
All students must also host events at their school as part of an annual College Signing Day.
Being on the BMR Student Advisory Board is a real and serious commitment-duh, it's the White House, but if you find yourself doubting whether you'd be able to handle something of this caliber, don't worry. You are more than capable. Mrs. Obama recognizes the potential you have to take on something like this, and you'll have her support and the support of your sponsor, your fellow board member, AND the Better Make Room team. It's like a party. We've got your back. And listen, we know the power of student voices. Use yours, and join our team to change some lives at your school.
Why should I join the BMR Student Advisory Board?
We are confident in knowing that we have some incredibly influential people backing this project-people who care about the well-being of not only the average student, but a nation of students. Mrs. Obama is a passionate advocate for higher education in the US, building a generation of students who realize its benefits. And she's been joined by athletes, celebrities, teachers, schools, organizations and politicians from around the country, all who want YOU and your friends to that next step.
So, yes-you're joining a pretty stellar team. But here's what you're all thinking: you'll get a letter of recommendation from a White House initiative for your portfolio, and that's always a win. Plus personal leadership development, perks to support your college journey, and plenty of Better Make Room swag, Stickers for life, you guys. BOOM!
Applicants for the BMR Student Advisory Board should be students who are interested in building a college-going culture at their school and in their community. The President and the First Lady often say that the only way that we can reach the North Star 2020 goal is by having young people take the steps to prepare for their future.We are looking for applicants who are motivated and inspired to be part of this movement.
How do I apply to become a BMR Student Advisory Board member?
Fill out this application by November 27 at 11:59 pm ET. PLEASE. The earlier, the better-we'll review applications on a rolling basis-though you may apply up until the deadline. We want you to get a callback, so make sure to stay on top of this. Also, on the application you must provide the name, title, email address, and phone number of a sponsor. this individual must send an email to
bettermakeroom@civicnation.org by the application deadline confirming their sponsorship of you application and briefly recommending you for the position
(150 words or less). We already know they've got nice things to say.
In days and weeks following your application submission, you may receive an email notifying you that you have made it to the interview round. #WINNING! If you receive this email, you must respond as soon as possible with your availability. Interviews will take place on a rolling basis throughout November and possibly into December. We will notify all finalists by December 31, 2016. Once members are selected and notified, they will attend both a Student Advisory Board training event and a ceremony honoring their selection at the white House in January 2017. We'd double-tap on that Instagram.
And then, we take off. A team of students who've prioritized education at their school-a cohort of collaborators who see the incredible, limitless potential in their friends and fellow students. You'll head out-backed by Michelle Obama (YES!) and hundreds of partners-to create a nation of students passionate about their futures. Honestly, just rereading this is getting us hyped. Join our team. Join the Better Make Room Student Advisory Board.
Applications are due November 27th at 11:59 pm ET.
