Jump Start program helps COBI 2015 Jumpstudents transition from high school to college

During the week before fall, 2015 classes started at The University of Toledo College of Business and Innovation, dozens of incoming freshmen jump started their college life through an innovative, free program designed to provide incoming business majors with a variety of activities focused on enhancing their chances for success.

Targeting academic and social skills, the primary goal is to help new students through the transition from high school to college. Jump Start began in 1997 and was made possible because of a gift from John & Lillian Neff.

2015 Jump Start activities included a tour of The Image Group 

"Participants are able to meet other first year students while experiencing a wide range of programming presented by UT faculty, staff, alumni and students, in addition to members of the greater Toledo community," explained program coordinator Darlene Stevens.

Some of the program activities included: touring Fortune 500 companies, attending a Mud Hens baseball game, participating in a campus scavenger hunt, meeting alumni and networking.

In addition to all expenses paid for the above activities, students receive gift cards for partial textbook fees for the fall and spring semesters.

"Students with high school grade point averages ranging from 2.4 to 3.0 and ACT composite scores from 18 to 23 are ideally suited for the program however all applicants are considered," Stevens said.

Freshman Nick Climer said, "Overall, my experience with Jump Start was amazing. Through Jump Start, I have formed friendships and bonds that I know will last a life time. Not only did I get to experience all the wonderful things that the Toledo community has to offer, I also got to have some fun as well! Jump Start has truly impacted my career here at The University of Toledo in an extremely positive way."

"Jump Start was a great opportunity for all of us coming into the University of Toledo's COBI," said Amanda Martin. "It was especially great for students who aren't from around this area. Those students not only got to experience the Toledo lifestyle through some of our tourist spots such as the Toledo Zoo and Aquarium and an awesome Toledo Mud Hens game, but they also got to learn about some of our major businesses such as Fifth Third Bank and Healthcare Reit."

Andrew Brownlee said, "We did so many different activities at Jump Start that it made it very easy to make great friends. The friends I met in Jump Start are on my dorm floor and we get closer every day. I honestly loved Jump Start and everything it has done for me to start of my college career the best way possible. And Darlene Stevens was the best instructor I could ask for! She knows everything and gives great advice."