WQPT, public media for northwestern Illinois, is focusing on education with its broadcast of Achieve Quad Cities: Tackling the Drop Out Crisis. Part of American Graduate: Let’s Make it Happen, the one hour program intends to foster conversation about rising drop out rates.
Hosted by Leigh Geramanis, Achieve Quad Cities: Tackling the Drop Out Crisis creates a roundtable discussion amongst educators, community leaders and community members about what can be done to keep kids in school. The show features panelists, including:
- Dr. Kim Armstrong, Dean, Black Hawk College.
- Tara Barney, Chief Executive Officer, Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce.
- Chris Lopez, Dean of Students, Moline High School.
- Dr. Matt Mendenhall, Vice President of Programs, Community Foundation of the Great River Bend.
- Laurie Phelan, President & CEO, iJAG (Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates).
- Ethel Reynolds, Executive Director School Support and Instructional Leadership, Davenport Community Schools.
- John Riches, Community Relations Manager, Alcoa.
The program has been very successful. It was named a Silver winner for the 34th Annual Telly Awards, the highest honor for outstanding local, regional and cable TV commercials and programs, the finest video and film productions and online commercials, video and films. “This is truly an honor," said WQPT General Manager Mary Pruess. "As one of the smallest PBS stations in the United States, we are delighted that Lora Adams (WQPT Director of Marketing and Local Content) and Chris Ryder (WQPT Production staff) have brought this honor home."
WQPT continues to work with Achieve Quad Cities and American Graduate, increasing their mentoring efforts by offering more adult mentors and expanding their school-based sites. They have also hosted a Community Conversation event for parents, teachers, students, business owners and more to discuss how to increase the graduation rate for Quad City Students.
For more information, visit the WQPT American Graduate website here.
You can view an episode of Achieve Quad Cities: Tackling the Drop Out Crisis here: