For many students, summer is a time to recharge before the school year begins. For Maryland Business Roundtable for Education’s (MBRT) Next Generation Scholars (NGS) students, summer is also an opportunity to build momentum toward their futures.
Across Maryland, students spent summer networking with professionals, preparing for the college application process, developing essential life skills, exploring career pathways, and giving back to their communities. Through experiences in MBRT programs including the NextGen NextLevel Student Leadership and Summer Bridge Conference, College Bootcamp and Summer of Service, students are better prepared to enter the new school year with greater confidence, stronger support networks and a clearer vision of what comes next.
Preparing for the Future at NextGen NextLevel
On June 24, NGS students gathered at the University of Maryland, College Park for MBRT’s NextGen NextLevel Student Leadership and Summer Bridge Conference, a career and college readiness experience supported by the College Stars Network. Thanks to the support of sponsors including the College of Southern Maryland, Total Body Band, Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) and Northrop Grumman, students participated in a day designed to help them develop the skills and knowledge needed for success beyond high school.
Throughout the event, students rotated through hands-on learning experiences that challenged them to think about their futures from multiple angles. Students developed networking and professional communication skills in a “practice your pitch” session while receiving real-time feedback from industry professionals. They created vision boards and developed personalized college game plans alongside MBRT alumni who recently navigated the college transition themselves. Adulting 101 sessions provided practical lessons in laundry, kitchen confidence, time and money management, wellness, and self-care, while representatives from the Maryland State Police led an interactive demonstration on driving safety.
A highlight of the day was the alumni panel, where students had the opportunity to ask candid questions about college life, financial aid, campus involvement and the realities of transitioning from high school to higher education. With 60% of attendees indicating they are most concerned about time management and balancing responsibilities ahead of the upcoming school year, this opportunity for near-peer interaction was invaluable. Nearly 95% of attendees shared their satisfaction with the intentionality of sharing space with like-minded peers.
Turning College Questions into College Plans
As August approached, rising seniors across MBRT Next Generation Scholars (NGS) school districts participated in College Bootcamp programs designed to reduce anxiety and increase preparedness for the college application season. In Dorchester County, students gathered at the Chesapeake College Cambridge Center to create Common Application accounts, establish FSA IDs and begin drafting college essays. Students left the experience feeling more prepared for senior year and better equipped to navigate the many steps involved in applying to college.
Students from Kent County and Caroline County participated in a two-day College Bootcamp hosted in partnership with Washington College Admissions. Students worked closely with counselors, admissions professionals, recent graduates, and MBRT alumni to gain an inside look at the college application process.
The impact was measurable. Student preparedness scores increased across every category surveyed:
- Readiness for College Applications: 2.5 to 3.4
- Understanding of Financial Aid: 2.0 to 3.0
- Preparedness for Personal Statement/Admissions Essay Writing: 2.85 to 3.2
- Overall College Preparedness: 2.85 to 3.4
Meanwhile, in Wicomico County, MBRT NGS students participated in college readiness sessions at Wicomico High School in partnership with College Counselor Kory Lowe and the WiHi guidance team. By taking advantage of these sessions during the summer months, students are able to get a meaningful head start on a process that can often feel overwhelming during the school year.
As one rising senior, Sheraz A., shared, “I’ll be super busy this fall so having the opportunity to get started early on all of this is going to be huge for me.”
Giving Back in the Present
While students were preparing for life after high school, they are also making a difference right now in their communities.
The MBRT’s Summer of Service program provides opportunities for MBRT NGS students to earn service-learning hours while exploring interests, developing professional skills, and building connections with local organizations. In Kent County alone, 22 students, including two non-NGS participants, contributed more than 113 hours of service to local community organizations throughout the summer.
Looking Ahead
As summer comes to an end, MBRT’s Next Generation Scholars are entering the school year with more than completed forms, drafted essays and service-learning hours. They are entering with greater confidence, stronger networks, practical life skills and a clearer understanding of their pathway options ahead.
From practicing professional networking at the University of Maryland to completing college applications, hearing from alumni, serving local communities and preparing for senior year, MBRT NGS students spent the summer building momentum. That momentum will continue carrying them forward through the fall and beyond, as they take the next steps toward college, career and lifelong success.
