Paul Smith’s College Hosts Campus Showcase with K-12 Schools from Across the Region

First of Several Events to Strengthen Ties Between Regional K-12 Schools and  Paul Smith’s College

PAUL SMITHS, NY – On February 17,^th Paul Smith’s College hosted a Community Leaders Open House with teachers, counselors, and school administrators from Malone Central School, Watertown High School, Franklin Academy in Malone, Northwood School, and the North Country School. The event explored opportunities for regional K-12 schools to collaborate with Paul Smith’s College and take advantage of the college’s outstanding faculty, staff, and educational resources.

“Our doors are open to stronger collaboration with our partners in education and these showcases allow us to demonstrate all the great things awaiting prospective students—from natural resources, forestry, culinary, and more,” said Paul Smith’s Interim President Dan Kelting. “Not only does Paul Smith’s College offer a world-class hands-on education, we have a variety of outstanding community resources from research and environmental education opportunities at the Adirondack Watershed Institute, to a state-of-the-art eSports lab where we look forward to hosting high-school tournaments, and the college’s Visitor Interpretive Center—home to our PSC Nordic National Champions that also serves as an educational and recreational facility for the entire community.”

In addition to touring the campus via horse carriage (PSC has their own draft horse program), the regional K-12 group also participated in a roundtable discussion on the challenges and opportunities facing high-school students in the region.

Describing the importance of getting high-school students to visit colleges Rachel Vincent, Programmatic College and Career Counselor of Watertown High School said, “They can’t dream bigger than what they know about… we can offer high school students the opportunity to dream bigger by exposing them to the opportunities.”

The Community Leaders Open House concluded with two signature Paul Smith’s College experiences; a speed-chopping demonstration by the Woodsmen’s Team and a fireside Adirondack harvest lunch prepared by Paul Smith’s Chef Kevin McCarthy and his team of culinary students.

This is the first of several additional events. Special thanks to Brett McLeod, Chair of the Forestry Department, for spearheading the initiative.

At Paul Smith’s College, it’s about the experience. As the only four-year institution of higher education located in the Adirondack Park in upstate New York, Paul Smith’s provides real-world, hands-on learning in fields such as business and hospitality, culinary management, forestry, environmental sciences and natural resources. We are able to draw on industries and resources available in our own backyard while preparing students for successful careers anywhere. Our community of resourceful, enterprising, supportive and adventurous individuals collectively provide experiential education, student support in the classroom and beyond, and meaningful opportunities for our alumni. We pride ourselves on research and advocacy on issues that improve our planet and the lives of the people who inhabit it. Learn more at paulsmiths.edu »