Roanoke Daily Herald (Roanoke Rapids, NC) - "UNC chancellor visits Gaston Prep and KIPP Pride High School Monday"

By Hank Dewald
October 9, 2007

James Moeser, chancellor of UNC-Chapel Hill, spoke to students at both Gaston College Preparatory and KIPP Pride High Monday as part of his Carolina Connects initiative to strengthen UNC's ties to the state's people and communities.

Moeser did something much more important than just give a speech to students, though. He listened to them.

Moeser is UNC Chapel Hill's ninth chancellor and is also nationally recognized for launching the innovative Carolina Covenant program, which promises to graduate deserving low-income students debt-free. It ties in perfectly well with the KIPP Program (Knowledge is Power Program), a national network of free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory public schools in under-resourced communities.

During his early morning visit to Gaston Prep, Moeser told the students in grades five through eight how important diversity of all kinds is today, not just in terms of race, but also a diversity of interests and studies.

He explained how he attended segregated schools in Texas. “The University of Texas was my first encounter with black students and I became involved in the civil rights movement there," Moeser told them. His short speech ended with him telling them to strive for excellence in everything they do.

At that point, Moeser asked the students if they had any questions and students in the large group of seemed to all raise their hands at once. What is the best way to get into college? What qualities does it take to become a chancellor at UNC? How is enrollment different today? What did you go through to get your job?

The students were anything but shy and Moeser would have been there all day if he answered all of their questions.

Moeser added his own personal advice to his answers. He told the students they would have to do interviews for college and future jobs and stressed the importance of speaking skills, reading and even music.

“I say, we are educating you not for your first job, but for every job you will ever have; for jobs that don't even exist yet. We do this by teaching you to always continue to learn,” Moeser said.

He then took the short walk from Gaston Prep to KIPP Pride High, where he addressed a group of ninth- through 11th-graders with a slightly different version of the same message he gave the younger students.

Moeser told the more mature high school students they were in the critical time for preparing for college. He explained the covenant, which will graduate its very first group of students this school year.

“How many of you are concerned about how you are going to pay for college?” Moeser asked the group. “We will provide the full cost of your education (if they are qualified) if you are willing to complete our work-study program. There will be no cost to you after you finish.”

Once again, Moeser kept his speech short and let the students do the talking. Is the Carolina Covenant closing the achievement gap?, one student asked.

“Yes!” said Moeser. “Next spring, Carolina Covenant will graduate its first class. Our students are being successful across the board.”

Moeser told the students, “These schools (the KIPP program) are the answer to the achievement gap. This school here, KIPP Pride, sets the standard for the whole state of North Carolina.”

After fielding many questions, Moeser summed up what he thought the students needed to know. “Take all of the Advanced Placement courses you can. Go for the most rigorous program you can. Writing and speaking skills are critical.”

He told the students admission offices will look at three important areas - a strong academic transcript, leadership in organizations and public service in the community.

“Go the extra mile now,” Moeser continued, “It will pay enormous dividends when you are eventually trying to get into college. Take the hard route; think about the long term. Visit a lot of campuses and pursue your dreams. We are more than diverse at UNC; we are becoming a global university. We encourage our students to study abroad. Foreign languages are very important. Music is very important and great for the mind and self-discipline. Learn to read newspapers. Learn how to read The New York Times, especially the editorial pages and current events.”