Colleges offer programs for area students

New York's independent colleges and universities provide summer enrichment programs for middle and high school students. These programs offer students the chance to learn about new topics, while also providing them an opportunity to experience the college environment first-hand.

The 2011 edition of "New York's Private Colleges and Universities Outreach and Enrichment Programs for Junior High and/or High School Age Students" is now available from the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities. Complete with program descriptions, dates, age range for participants, and college contacts, the booklet catalogs hundreds of summer learning opportunities.

"Summer programs in a college setting offer a unique window of opportunity for middle and high school students to learn new subjects, advance their knowledge and personal growth, and develop new friendships," said Laura L. Anglin, president of CICU, "New York's independent colleges and universities are offering something for everyone this year, while giving students a taste of the college experience and top-notch teaching and facilities."

Several Western New York colleges and universities will be offering exciting summer programs for area middle and high school students this year. Below are just a few examples of the fascinating summer programs available from Western New York's independent colleges and universities.

•Alfred University will offer its Astronomy Institute, which will allow high school students to explore the field of astronomy, as well as its Summer Theater Institute, which will allow area students to learn about theater production and performance. Alfred's Confucius Institute will offer students an introduction to Chinese language and culture, and its Entrepreneurship Institute for High School Students will teach students about business development. Alfred also will offer engineering camps, a creative writing institute, and theater day camps for area students. (www.alfred.edu)

•Canisius College will offer its Buffalo Engineering Awareness for Minorities (BEAM) program this summer, which will allow minority students to expand their knowledge in the fields of science and technology. Also, the college's Summer Honors Program will allow high school students to earn up to six college credits from the college. (www.canisius.edu)

•D'Youville College will hold its Math at DYC program, which will offer area middle school students the chance to explore careers in mathematics. (www.dyc.edu)

•Houghton College will offer its Summer Excellence Camps for high-achieving high school students. The camps will include programs exploring leadership, forensic science, and visual arts. (www.houghton.edu)

•Niagara University will offer its NUSTEP program for area high school students, which will allow participants to complete college courses at the university over the summer. (www.niagara.edu)

For program descriptions, dates, age range for participants, college contact, and other information on these and other summer programs offered by New York's independent colleges and universities, visit http://www.nycolleges.org/resources.php to download "New York's Private Colleges and Universities Outreach and Enrichment Programs for Junior High and/or High School Age Students - 2011." For a schedule of open houses, admissions, and financial aid information, visithttp://www.nycolleges.org/.