On Feb. 20, NC State’s Director of Recruitment and Strategic Initiatives Ronnie Chalmers sent an email announcing NC State would be ending pre-college mentorship programs geared towards marginalized high school students, including CAMINOS, Emerging Scholars Academy and the Native Education Forum. All three programs were expected to run during summer 2025 and focused on empowering Black, Latinx and Native high school juniors and seniors to pursue higher education.
The email was addressed to former student mentors and mentees of the aforementioned programs. Chalmers cited “funding challenges and uncertainty as the university navigates the evolving federal guidance and political climate” as the reasons behind the decision.
It is currently unknown if this affects all pre-college programs, or just those related to minority students, who are at the center of the Trump administration’s directive to eliminate all programs related to diversity, equity and inclusion.
Chalmers wrote, “I am writing to share an important update regarding Pre-College Programs: Emerging Scholars Academy, Native Education Forum and Caminos.”
The email went on to announce that “the Office of Undergraduate Admissions is unable to offer Pre-College programs this summer.”
“This decision was not made lightly, as we deeply value the incredible work you and others have done to support prospective students and make Pre-College successful,” the email said.
While The Nubian Message cannot confirm if this applies to all Pre-College Programs, it’s relevant to note that CAMINOS, Native Education Forum and Emerging Scholars Academy do not appear on the Pre-College programs website, while other programs still do. An article published by NC State in July 2022 included a link to an apparent Emerging Scholars Academy webpage, though as of March 5, the website is no longer accessible. Similarly, the Facebook page for the Native Education Forum includes an inactive link, as of March 5.
These programs facilitate support and mentorship for minority high school students interested in pursuing higher education, specifically at NC State. The Emerging Scholars Academy hosted rising 11th graders who identify as Black or have an interest in Black culture, CAMINOS mentored Latinx rising 11th and 12th graders and Native Education Forum hosted high schoolers who identify as Native American or have an interest in Native American culture.
Isabella Lerma Rios, a third-year studying business administration, said the elimination was a major loss. “CAMINOS gave me the confidence, guidance and community I needed to navigate the college admissions process, and as a mentor, I saw firsthand how it did the same for so many other Latinx students. It wasn’t just about applications, it was about feeling seen, supported, and empowered to pursue higher education.”
“CAMINOS played a crucial role in preparing first-gen Latinx students by offering workshops, mentorship, and a sense of community. It helped students understand the college application process, financial aid, and what to expect in college. Without this program, many Latinx students may feel less prepared and confident about applying to rigorous schools like NC State,” she said.
This is a developing story.
