HEF is excited launch a new college and career readiness center at King High School, thanks to funding from Gopher Resource, United Way Suncoast and Consortium of Florida Education Foundations. Students voted to call it SCOPE: Student Center of Postsecondary Education.
The financial support will allow HEF to provide high school students with one-on-one college and career planning and help with admissions and financial aid applications as well as career, technical and workforce pathways.
A ribbon cutting was held with donors to officially kick off the program in November, but the work of our SCOPE Coordinator and center volunteers had already begun.
Brian Leen is President and CEO of Gopher Resource and described the catalyst behind the company’s involvement. “We wanted to continue to make a significant and positive impact in our community,” Leen said. “Education is a great way to do that, and we were very impressed by what HEF was doing to help students prepare for life after high school.”
The company will also periodically provide employee volunteers to work with the students and help with program delivery.
HEF hopes SCOPE can be replicated in more schools in Hillsborough County, in partnership with the district and additional donors, to have an even bigger impact by meeting students where they are and helping them to develop post-graduation plans and achieve success.
(Picture: L-R) HEF CEO Kim Jowell, King High School Principal Arlene Castelli & Gopher Resource President/CEO Brian Leen at SCOPE’s ribbon cutting.
