Knowledge for Freedom
One Person Can Change the World
Nova Southeastern University's Knowledge for Freedom initiative is a free three-week program designed to give high school juniors in Broward County, Florida, an immersive college experience. The program will prepare students for college and give them the tools necessary to create change on an issue important to them. Students will study the humanities with NSU professors, reside in dorms on NSU's campus, and enjoy various social and leisurely activities for a full campus-life experience.
The program will take place each summer for the next three years, starting in the summer of 2023.
- Summer 2023 Program Dates: June 12 to July 1, 2023
- Commute to Campus: June 12 – June 16, 2023
- Residence on Campus: June 18 – July 1, 2023
- Application Deadline: April 24, 2023
Program Overview
The program includes
- A free three-week college experience for 15 high school juniors
- Food and Housing on NSU's main Fort Lauderdale/Davie campus for the final two weeks (Students will go home for the weekend on Friday night and return on Sunday night)
- College-level humanities seminars with NSU professors to study transformative texts about equality and change in America from thinkers like Theodore Roosevelt, Martin Luther King, Jr., Toni Morrison, and more
- Full daily schedules (8:30 am – 7 pm) consisting of meals, class time, workshops, reading time, and free time
- Guidance and resources from professors, teaching assistants, the Alvin Sherman Library, and NSU’s Writing Center to help students plan and implement a Change Project to create change in their community
- Workshops on the college application process, FAFSA, research, writing, and more
- Recreational and well-being activities like scavenger hunts, campus tours, games, and exercises
- Field trips to historic sites and museums in South Florida like the Haitian Heritage Museum, Mizell-Eula Johnson Beach State Park, and Morikami Gardens and Museum
- Continued support during students' senior year to help them carry out their Change Projects and apply for college and financial aid
To be eligible for the program, you must be
- A high school junior in Broward County, Florida
- Interested in attending college
- Interested in studying the humanities
- Able to attend all classes and activities throughout the program
- Able to commute to campus for the first week (June 12 – June 16)
- Able to live on campus for the final two weeks (June 18 – July 1)
Candidates will be selected based on their responses to the essay and personal information questions. Your written responses should demonstrate your creativity, writing ability, and personality.
Preference will be given to students who have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and a satisfactory academic record.
- Complete the online application.
- Complete the supplemental application forms below and upload them to the online application.
- You may digitally sign the forms or print, sign, scan, and upload. To digitally sign the forms, you may use the “draw” feature in your browser or programs like Adobe Acrobat.
Supplemental Application Forms
For Students
For Parents
Application Deadline: April 24, 2023
Andrea Nevins, Ph.D., M.F.A.
PI
Dean
Farquhar Honors College
Aileen Farrar, Ph.D.
Lead Faculty and Co-PI
Associate Professor and Associate Chair
NSU's Halmos College of Arts and Sciences
Melissa Dore, Ph.D.
Co-PI
Director of Academic Support and Administration
NSU's Halmos College of Arts and Sciences
G. Nelson Bass III, J.D., Ph.D.
Guest Lecturer
Assistant Professor and Associate Chair
NSU's Halmos College of Arts and Sciences
Vicki Toscano, J.D., Ph.D.
Guest Lecturer
Associate Professor
NSU's Halmos College of Arts and Sciences
Calling All NSU Students
Are you a current undergraduate NSU student interested in assisting faculty in the classroom and mentoring high school students throughout the program? Become a Teaching Assistant (TA) or Resident Assistant (RA)! Preference will be given to undergraduate humanities students and students in the Honors College.
TAs will assist with teaching and supporting high school students. TAs will help present course material, help coordinate in-class activities, and help provide writing support and mentorship to students. In addition to serving as peer mentors and providing support for students and faculty, the TAs will gain further exposure to the humanities through the preparation and presentation of seminar lessons and the development of classroom exercises. They will also participate in field trips and other non-curricular activities. TAs will:
- Attend each class (one class per day)
- Assist in six select Workshop Hours on writing and research (two per week)
- Be supervised by the lead faculty coordinator (Dr. Farrar)
- Receive training from Dr. Charlene Désir on how to provide support for students with emphasis on immigrant and minority communities and mental health awareness
TAs can anticipate working 20 hours a week during the program.
Application Deadline: April 20, 2023
Pay: $15/hr
RAs will work with the high school students attending the program. This position requires RAs to supervise students in the dorms for two weeks and serve as mentors. RAs must be committed to connecting with participants genuinely and significantly, creating a sense of belonging by creating a culture where all individuals feel cared for through various methods of recognition and support.
Training for this position will take place May 15 to June 11, not totaling more than 10-15 hours. June 17 to July 2 will be the period of time in which students are in the dorms; RAs can anticipate working 30-37.5 hours a week for these two weeks.
Application Deadline: April 20, 2023
Pay: $15/hr
Learn More
For more information, contact knowledgeforfreedom@nova.edu.
The Knowledge for Freedom program is hosted by NSU's Farquhar Honors College and funded by the Teagle Foundation.