Supporting College Success

Newaygo County Area Promise Zone Receives Generous Donation 

The Newaygo County Area Promise Zone has received a generous gift from the Dennis Adama Family of Newaygo. This donation will be used to increase the Promise Zone’s success coaching staff and directly support Newaygo County students through success coaching as they navigate their post-secondary journey.

When asked why his family chose to support the Promise Zone, Dennis Adama shared, “The Promise Zone gives kids the opportunity to go to college, but the goal is not just to go to college. It is to be successful in college. The success coach is a very important part of the Promise Zone program to help ensure successful students.” 

The Newaygo County Area Promise Zone provides high school graduates with a tuition-free path to an approved apprenticeship or an associate degree from Muskegon Community College. The Promise Zone believes that every student, regardless of financial means, should have the opportunity to earn post-secondary credentials.  

By helping to remove the financial barrier that so many students face, the Promise Zone is helping to shift a cultural stigma that college is too expensive. With the Promise Scholarship, many students are starting to believe that higher education is within their reach and taking steps to plan for their future. 

However, once in college, there are still obstacles for students: how to schedule classes, renew financial aid, develop strong study habits, how to manage their time. This is where the Promise Zone’s success coaching program partners with its students to help them reach their goals. The Adama family’s gift will help to continue to provide this valuable support for Promise Scholars.

Students who walk into the Success Coach’s office are often burdened with anxiety, uncertainty, and powerlessness. However, when they leave a coaching session, they do so with reduced stress, a noticeably different demeanor, and the sense that they do have the ability to navigate challenges and succeed.

Scott Swinehart, Newaygo County Area Promise Zone board member shared, “The Promise Scholarship is not just a great way for students to jumpstart their education and career while saving money, but the support they receive through success coaching is a unique and important way students gain personalized assistance in accessing college resources like tutoring or academic advising needs.”

Having positive adult relationships helps students build confidence, improve academic performance, and become more comfortable in seeking help while in college. The Promise Zone’s success coaching program is focused on providing consistent and beneficial connections that aim to encourage students as they navigate challenges.

Since beginning in 2017, the Promise Zone has awarded over $2.2 million in tuition in support of over 300 Newaygo County Promise Scholars who have enrolled in their post-secondary journey.

For more information about the Newaygo County Area Promise Zone visit www.promise.zone, email [email protected], or call 231-924-8888.