About Marilyn Gardner Milton
Marilyn Gardner Milton’s career in education began when she entered college. Her first steps towards this career choice were accomplished when she graduated from the University of Connecticut with her Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Education. After finishing her time at UConn, she continued her education by splitting her Masters of Education (M.Ed) between Boston State College and Framingham State University, both based in and around the Boston, Massachusetts area. In 1987 Marilyn finished the journey to earn her Ph.D. She graduated from Boston College with her Ph.D. in Educational Administration and Supervision as well as a minor in Computer Science. While both degrees would be of great use in her future, Marilyn wasn’t quite done yet. She finished her education by getting her Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from Suffolk University Law school, where she was also awarded the American Jurisprudence Award for Excellence: Commercial Law.
In 1985 Marilyn Gardner Milton made her first foray into the world of distance learning administration, as well as the first of her roles consulting. She became the Executive Consultant for The Center for Educational Leadership and Technology and held that position until 1995. In 1994 Marilyn became the Executive Director and the Director of Education at the Boston, Massachusetts based Computer Museum, a position she held until 1997. In 2006 she became Director of Business Development for the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA), a position she holds to this day.
In 1997 Marilyn began her career in the administration of higher education institutes. She was appointed to be the Vice-President of Academic Affairs for the Massachusetts Communications College and the New England Institute of Art. In 2001 she became the Vice-President of Academic Affairs for Bay State College and in 2006 she became a Program Professor and Education Enterprise Associate for Nova Southeastern University, one of the largest non-profit accredited universities in the country. A position she holds to this day.
4 Ways Parents Can Support Their Children in the College Application Process
The college application process can be daunting for parents and their children. The pressure to find the right school and the stress of completing the application can overwhelm everyone involved. However, as a parent, you can support your child during this process in several ways. Here are four ways parents can support their children in the college application process.
Encourage your child to start early
The college application process can be time-consuming, and it’s crucial to encourage your child to start early. This means researching potential schools, understanding the application requirements, and beginning the application process as soon as possible. As a parent, help your child by setting deadlines and creating a schedule to ensure they stay on track.
Encourage your child to use resources to help them prepare for college. This may include attending college fairs, meeting with representatives, and taking college prep courses. By starting early and taking advantage of these resources, your child will have a better chance of success in the college application process.
Provide emotional support
The college application process can be emotionally challenging for your child. They may feel overwhelmed, stressed, or anxious about their future. As a parent, provide emotional support and remind your child that you are there to help them every step of the way.
One form of emotional support is encouraging children to express their feelings, acknowledge their concerns, and validate their emotions. Offer encouragement and remind them of their accomplishments. Additionally, help your child find healthy ways to manage stress through exercise, meditation, or spending time with friends and family.
Help your child with the application process
The college application process can be complex and confusing. As a parent, you can offer support by helping your child with the application process. This may include proofreading essays, helping them gather necessary documents, and ensuring all deadlines are met.
Remember that while you can offer support, allowing your child to take ownership of the application process is essential. Encourage them to take the lead in completing the application and to reach out to their school counselor or college advisor if they need additional assistance.
Discuss financial aid options
College can be expensive, and discuss financial aid options with your child. This may include filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), researching scholarships, and exploring student loan options.
As a parent, have an open and honest conversation with your child about the cost of college and the financial resources available. You can also encourage your child to research potential schools and to consider the cost of attendance when making their final decision.
College applications can be stressful for parents and their children. However, by offering support and guidance, parents can help their children navigate this process with confidence and success. By encouraging your child to start early, providing emotional support, helping with the application process, and discussing financial aid options, you can make the college application process less overwhelming and more manageable for your child.
Remember, the most important thing you can do as a parent is to be there for your child every step of the way. Listen to their concerns, offer encouragement, and remind them that you are there to help them achieve their goals. With your support, your child can successfully navigate the college application process and embark on an exciting new chapter in their life.
Benefits of Summer Reading Programs
Summer reading programs have become increasingly popular over the years and for good reason. These programs offer a range of benefits to children and adults alike, helping to promote reading skills and a love of literature.
Here are some of the significant benefits of summer reading programs:
Prevent the Summer Slide
Summer reading programs help prevent the “summer slide.” This term is used to describe the loss of reading skills over the summer break from school. Research shows that children who participate in summer reading programs are more likely to maintain or even improve their reading skills during the summer months, helping them to start the school year off on the right foot.
Promote a Love of Reading
Summer reading programs also help promote a love of reading, introducing children to new authors, genres, and stories they may not have discovered on their own. This can help foster a lifelong love of reading, leading to improved literacy skills and academic success.
Encourage Family Bonding
Many summer reading programs offer activities and events designed to be enjoyed by the whole family, such as book clubs, author visits, and storytelling sessions. This can help to encourage family bonding and create shared experiences that promote a love of reading and learning.
Improve Vocabulary and Comprehension Skills
Reading is one of the most effective ways to improve vocabulary and comprehension skills, and summer reading programs offer an excellent opportunity to do so. Children and adults can expand their vocabularies and improve their ability to understand complex ideas and concepts by reading various books and materials.
Boost Confidence and Self-Esteem
Summer reading programs can also help to boost confidence and self-esteem, particularly in struggling readers. By providing a safe and supportive environment to read and learn, these programs can help children and adults feel more confident in their abilities and more enthusiastic about learning.
Support Academic Success
Finally, summer reading programs can support academic success by helping children to develop the literacy skills they need to succeed in school and beyond. By promoting a love of reading and improving vocabulary, comprehension, and critical thinking skills, these programs can help children to excel in all areas of their academic lives.
Summer reading programs offer a range of benefits to children and adults alike, helping to promote reading skills, a love of literature, family bonding, improved vocabulary and comprehension skills, boosted confidence and self-esteem, and academic success. Whether you are a child, a parent, or a lifelong learner, there are plenty of reasons to participate in a summer reading program and reap the many rewards of reading.
Steps to Take if You Transfer Colleges
Transferring colleges can be a big decision, but it’s not unusual. About one-third of all college students transfer at least once during their academic careers due to financial reasons, educational goals, and personal circumstances. If you’re considering transferring colleges, there are several steps to ensure a smooth transition.
Research your options
The first step to transferring colleges is to research your options. You’ll start by looking at colleges that offer the program you’re interested in and meet your academic needs. You’ll also want to consider location, size, and campus culture. You can start your research by looking at college websites or using college search engines like CollegeBoard and Naviance. You can also talk to your current college’s academic advisor or a transfer counselor for guidance on finding potential colleges.
Check admission requirements
Once you’ve identified potential colleges, you must check their admission requirements. Each college may have different criteria for transfer students, so it’s essential to review their guidelines carefully. Typical requirements may include a certain GPA, specific coursework, and standardized test scores.
It’s also important to note any application deadlines and required materials, such as transcripts and recommendation letters.
Meet with an advisor
Before applying to transfer, meeting with an academic advisor at your current college is a good idea. They can help you review your academic progress and goals and provide guidance on potential colleges that would be a good fit. They can also help you identify potential challenges during the transfer process, such as credit transfers or changes to your degree plan.
Apply to potential colleges
Once you’ve identified potential colleges and reviewed their admission requirements, it’s time to start the application process. Depending on the college, you may need to submit an application, official transcripts, recommendation letters, and standardized test scores. It’s essential to follow each college’s application guidelines carefully and submit all required materials before the deadline.
Consider financial aid
When transferring to colleges, it’s important to consider financial aid options. You’ll want to review each college’s financial aid policies and see if you qualify for any scholarships, grants, or loans. You should also check with your current college to see if any financial aid will transfer to your new school. Consider meeting with a financial aid advisor to discuss your options.
Visit potential colleges
Visiting potential colleges before making a final decision is a good idea. Visiting a campus can help to understand its culture and community better. You can schedule a campus tour or attend an open house event to understand the college’s environment and facilities better.
Plan for credit transfers
One of the biggest challenges when transferring colleges is ensuring that your credits transfer. You’ll want to work with your new college’s academic advisor to determine which credits will transfer and how they will apply towards your degree. It’s important to note that not all credits may transfer, and you may need to retake some courses to meet your new college’s degree requirements.
Get involved on campus
Once you’ve transferred to your new college, getting involved on campus is essential. Joining clubs and organizations can help you meet new people and build a community at your new school. You can also consider joining academic organizations related to your major, volunteering, or participating in research opportunities.