Diverse St. Thomas grads among private college alumni visiting high schools this week
Four University of St. Thomas graduates are among the 14 successful, diverse alumni of Minnesota private colleges and universities who will be on tour this week — visiting five high schools in five days and inspiring students to prepare for college.
Alfred Coleman, Chau Pham, Vik Uppal and Charles Williams will participate in the “Minnesota Private Colleges Tour: Where Diversity Matters” that runs today through Friday.
The 14 alumni are taking time off from work and sharing their life experiences with a student population that is growing increasingly diverse in terms of culture, ethnicity and socioeconomic background. The tour stops will be:
- Monday, April 16, at Central High School, St. Paul;
- Tuesday, April 17, at Washburn High School, Minneapolis;
- Wednesday, April 18, at North Community High School, Minneapolis;
- Thursday, April 19, at Robbinsdale-Cooper High School, New Hope; and
- Friday, April 20, at Edison High School, Minneapolis.
“Encouraging high school students to plan for college is vital to Minnesota’s future. We need all students in the state to realize their fullest potential,” said David B. Laird, Jr., president, Minnesota Private College Council. “These outstanding alumni make it clear that private colleges put excellence within reach.”
The weeklong tour will connect students through a variety of means, including pep rallies, promotions and an informative Web site at www.mnprivatecolleges.org/tour.
By speaking to students who, like themselves, come from diverse backgrounds, these alumni will inspire students to aspire and prepare for college. In addition, they will encourage students to consider private institutions as viable options.
Here are links to biographies on the four St. Thomas graduates participating in the tour:
Alfred Coleman: https://www.mnprivatecolleges.org/tour/alumni/coleman.php
Chau Pham: https://www.mnprivatecolleges.org/tour/alumni/pham.php
Vik Uppal: https://www.mnprivatecolleges.org/tour/alumni/uppal.php
Charles Williams: https://www.mnprivatecolleges.org/tour/alumni/williams.php.
