Educational Talent Search Partners with Kanab Tour Company
Published: April 14, 2021 | Author: Southern Utah University | Read Time: 2 minutes
During one of the only day-long snowstorms in Kane County, a group of ten Educational Talent Search students (TRIO) headed out to White Pocket with Kirk Allred and Kelly Livingston tour guides with Kanab Tour Company.
“Coronavirus sanctions basically shut down touring opportunities for local Educational Talent Search students,” said Lisa Livingston, ETS coordinator and advisor for Kane County. “Normally we are able to travel across Utah and into Arizona for on-campus experiences. This year's lockdowns also closed the door for us in relation to career exploration beyond the classroom. So, when Kanab Tour Company graciously partnered with ETS to provide an outdoor recreation adventure for students, we jumped at the chance.”
ETS is a federally funded TRIO program that works with 636 low-income, first-generation students, grades 7-12 in Beaver, Iron, Kane, and Coconino (AZ) counties each year. The program provides educational, career and financial aid counseling and teaches students how to be successful in school.
“Our tour guides basically demonstrated what a career in outdoor recreation looks like,” said Livingston. “Often students make educational and career decisions based on experiences they have on campuses or when engaged in hands-on activities. The Kanab Tour Company gave us just what these kids needed. I am so grateful for community partners like KTC.”
During the course of the day, students were introduced to internship opportunities with SUU’s Intergovernmental Internship Cooperative program. Spearheaded by Dr. Briget Eastep, the IIC helps to provide meaningful internships with the land management agencies and Native American tribes of southern Utah, northern Arizona and eastern Nevada to students. IIC agency partners mentor interns providing "real world" work experience that complements their academic pursuits and helps prepare students for successful careers.
ETS students were also given information about Outdoor Recreation and possible careers available to them. In addition to this, they were informed about Native American hunting sites and cultural practices. The day was cold and snowy, but everyone enjoyed the time exploring Monument lands.
To learn more about ETS visit www.suu.edu/trioets.
Tags: TRIO