CHC Honors students accepted to participate in Chautauqua Summer Scholars Program

Publish Date: Sept. 4, 2024

Four Crafton Hills College Honors students were accepted into this year’s Chautauqua Summer Scholars Program in New York State. This program, funded by Community Compact, Inc., is in the small New York town of Chautauqua, which features 19th century Victorian houses and inviting green spaces.

The mission of the program, according to its website, is “to facilitate opportunities for under-resourced students to acquire the social capital they need to be successful in their future endeavors.” Social capital is defined as “a network of assets (resources, connections, processes, and skills) that enables and enhances one’s ability to effectively pursue his or her goals” (https://www.chq.org/).

Summer Scholars have accommodations in a large house at the center of the property. Each day they choose which of the several morning and afternoon lectures to attend. They spend the rest of their days going to their choice of art exhibits, musical and dance performances, poetry readings, a rich variety of classes, and post-lecture dialogs.

Mornings are spent on the front porch having coffee or tea and conversing with people interested in helping them expand their social capital. They also get to meet and talk with lecturers, teachers, authors, and artists.

According to historian David McCullough, “There’s no place like [Chautauqua]. No resort. No spa. It is at once a summer encampment and a small town, a college campus, an arts colony, a music festival, a religious retreat, and the village square.”

Selected students attend one of two one-week sessions. Mina Garcia, who graduated from CHC in May, attended the first session in mid-July. She reports that she became close to others in the program in just a few short days. She includes the following evaluation: “It was electric - the love for the town radiated at every event I attended. I was happily enriching my social capital whilst also making lifelong friends (no kidding - I invited all the other Summer Scholars to my wedding)! I was able to make some incredible connections that I know will help me in my field, and I look forward to reaching out and staying in touch with them all - it was a fantastic experience!”

Three other CHC Honors Institute students attended at the end of July: Mikaila Keck, Melanie Bernal, and Brooklyn Child.