During the recent Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) College Night, thousands of students filled the James Brown Arena in search of higher education opportunities, apprenticeships and future career paths at the Savannah River Site (SRS) and beyond.
Office of Environmental Management
October 3, 2023
minute read time
Over 3,200 attendees and $15,000 in scholarships awarded during Savannah River Site-sponsored event
AIKEN, S.C. – During the recent Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) College Night, thousands of students filled the James Brown Arena in search of higher education opportunities, apprenticeships and future career paths at the Savannah River Site (SRS) and beyond.
Fifteen local high school seniors won scholarships totaling $15,000 during the event, sponsored by SRS.
“We are filling a huge need in our community,” said Cindy Hewitt, Education Outreach specialist with Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS), the SRS management and operations contractor. “CSRA College Night highlights many different careers and opportunities for students. This enables us to connect with the future workforce, spark interest in our most needed occupations and prove to students that they can make their dreams a reality.”
Nearly 3,250 attendees connected with 116 colleges and universities, four branches of military and many local technical colleges at the CSRA College Night.
Serving area students for three decades, the annual event has awarded more than $300,000 in scholarships and reached tens of thousands of participants over the years.
“There is something here for everyone,” said Lukas Willard, a senior at Aiken Scholars Academy. “Trying to navigate admissions and opportunities online can be very difficult. Here, you can ask direct questions to representatives from different colleges, military entities and potential employers from SRS. I was surprised to see so much exposure and opportunity under one roof.”
Students and parents obtained information on scholarship and educational opportunities, and college admission requirements. They also participated in seminars on scholarships, learned about SRS apprenticeships and met with counseling centers.
Caitlin Norton, associate director of regional recruitment, represented the University of Alabama at Birmingham at one of the largest college recruitment events in Georgia and South Carolina.
“This was a fantastic way to get access to thousands of students who may be undecided or looking for their next big step,” said Norton. “With over 4,000 institutions in the country, this in-person event was a great way for a student to narrow down their options and find the perfect school without having to spend thousands on traveling or college visits.”
South Aiken High School senior Ariya Evans attended the career fair to gain better insight on her favorite universities.
“The career exploration activity further confirmed that the career path I’m pursuing aligns with my personality traits,” said Evans. “I was able to connect with representatives from some of my top schools to better understand the athletic training degrees offered. I’m 100% confident in my next steps after attending this event.”
Click here for additional information on CSRA College Night and SRS Education Outreach Programs.
-Contributor: Mackenzie McNabb
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