Ep. 12 - Paving the Way for First-Generation Students: Denise El Habach on Innovating College Preparation and Career Readiness

Ever wondered what it takes to truly empower first-generation college students? Denise El Habach, a fierce advocate and a Gear Up Coach at Youngker High School, Buckeye, Arizona, has some answers that might surprise you. With an insider's perspective, Denise takes us on a journey into the inspiring and challenging world of working with first-generation college-bound students. From helping these students navigate the maze of college admissions and FAFSA, to fostering a supportive, college-going culture at school, she's got it covered.

We'll unpack the powerhouse tool - the College, Career, and Future Ready Toolkit. Denise and her colleagues have poured their expertise into developing this toolkit, designed to demystify the post-secondary transition process and engage families in their children's academic journeys. From summer counseling sessions to unravelling the complex steps of the college enrollment process, Denise's approach is all about simplifying and reducing confusion. She also touches on the potential impact of the delayed FAFSA timeline on students.

In the final segment of our conversation, Denise offers insights on how to nurture a college-going culture, the importance of celebrating milestones like Decision Day and the vast pool of resources available for first-generation students. She stresses the importance of equipping students with the information they need to confidently navigate the college enrollment process. Wrapping up the discussion, Denise invites listeners to share their feedback or express interest in joining us as a guest on the podcast. This is an episode that promises to leave you with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the challenges and triumphs of empowering first-generation college students. Tune in!

The College, Career, and Future Ready Toolkit can be found here.

Denise's bio

I have been in education since 2004 as a high school teacher, a school counselor and now a GEAR UP Coach. My role is to help students and their families understand the options and steps of post secondary transition and to establish a college going culture. I've been a Gear UP coach since 2020 and I truly believe I found my dream job! I also love being outdoors like camping, fishing, hiking etc spending time with my husband, our two beautiful children and our dog!