Specific goals for NSHSS - Academic Year 2007/2008

We believe a truly dynamic organization strives to communicate with and engage key stakeholders in a process of continuous improvement. With this in mind, we have published and continue to publish our goals and plans to meet the mission and vision of the Society. We actively seek your input to revise and improve our ideas, processes and activities to most effectively meet the needs of our members. Please email any specific suggestions to Maudelle Driskell, Vice President.

1. Recognize outstanding high school students and offer membership in a dynamic international student organization.

   NSHSS recognizes outstanding students in all U.S. states, territories, and in many countries around the world. Through our process of identifying high achieving students, we send letters of congratulation from Mr. Nobel to students and their families inviting the students to join NSHSS. We have created a secure nomination process for educators to register and nominate their qualifying students. For students to be eligible to join, they must be a sophomore, junior, or senior with a cumulative 3.5 or better GPA. We have a one-time lifetime membership fee for students who join NSHSS, without any annual dues or renewals. In order to be inclusive of all students, we waive the fee for students or families who find the fee to be significant economic hardship. All members enjoy a wide range of benefits as outlined in the member benefits section.

2. Award unique members-only scholarships for a wide range of talents and accomplishments.

   NSHSS has surpassed the number of scholarships and awards envisioned in our initial goals. Based on the strength of our scholarship candidates, we expanded academic scholarships from four college scholarships per year in 2002 to 68 in academic year 2007-08. These include the Claes Nobel Academic Scholarships; the National Scholar Awards; The Robert Sheppard Leadership Award; Griffith College Scholarships; Kaplan Test Prep & Admissions Scholarships for NSHSS members, and the NSHSS/Presidential Classroom Public Service Scholarship. Additionally, we awarded 25 Academic Paper Awards in 2007, which are published on the website. In 2008, we are awarding new scholarships from partner Abercrombie & Fitch, and the IBM "Innovation to be Greener" Awards. The scholarship program is managed by Dr. Susan Thurman; selections are based on academic achievement, leadership, community service, educators' recommendations, and personal essay. Recipients are invited to member events to receive their awards personally from Advisory Board Chair Claes Nobel.

3. The following unique scholarships and awards are available to NSHSS members in 2008:
   • Claes Nobel Academic Scholarships - $5,000
   • National Scholar Awards - $1,000
   • International Scholar Awards - $1,000
   • Robert P. Sheppard Leadership Award - $1,000
   • Academic Paper Awards - $250
   • Griffith College Scholars - $1,000
   • Kaplan Scholars - $1,000
   • Presidential Classroom/Public Service Scholarship - $750
   • Abercrombie & Fitch Global Diversity & Leadership Awards - $1,000
   • IBM - Innovation to be Greener Awards

   The following education program awards are available to NSHSS members through our partners:

   • National Honors Convocation - two free program scholarships annually
   • Presidential Classroom - one free program and discounts for all NSHSS members
   • Projects Abroad - one free program to NSHSS for every 10 participants
   • National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) - two free program scholarships annually

   NSHSS has awarded over $300,000 in scholarships as of December 31, 2007 (this does not include partner program awards).

   Scholarship selection process:

   All members may fill out scholarship applications on the secure member-only section of the NSHSS web site by stated deadlines. Selected semi-finalists are required to submit an educator's recommendation form and letter, transcript, and a personal essay. Winners are selected based on the strength of academic record, leadership activities, community service, educators' recommendations, and personal essay.

4. Develop electronic publications that inform, showcase members, and provide guidance on relevant issues.

   NSHSS publications have grown and evolved since 2002. The Scholar's Journal and the monthly updates provide a wonderful chronicle of the accomplishments of NSHSS and the members. We will continue to add more useful content and features to these publications.

   Monthly Update

   The monthly update is posted on the website and also emailed each month during the academic year to the membership and stakeholders, including partners, advisory board, and a variety of educators. The update provides important dates and deadlines, news of member events, college tips, partner news, high school highlights, and member highlights. NSHSS Student Council members provide advice about their college experiences.

   Scholar's Journal

   This electronic publication is issued semi-annually. It contains substantive articles written by and for students and allows members the opportunity to be published writers.

5. Provide exclusive information and web content for members.

   We recognize the power of the Internet and know that our members like to utilize electronic resources. We spend a great deal of time and energy on maintaining and improving our electronic capabilities and in making our website safe, secure user-friendly and content rich. The NSHSS web site provides complete access to who we are and what we are doing. We have qualified for the coveted BBB seal of online reliability after passing a thorough examination of our website and electronic practices. This provides reassurance to our members and the public that our website is accurate, honest, and reliable. Members can access the web to update their information, apply for scholarships, communicate with other members through our member connection forums, access partner information and opportunities, find research assistance through our online reference library, and utilize our "best-of" collection of resources for funding, preparing for, and applying to college.

   For the future we would like to add more content utilizing surveys and having experts respond to student questions and feedback on important issues. We will use this to create a knowledge database. We would also like to explore the idea of webcasting events so members can participate from home.

6. Build strategic partnerships with organizations which provide members with unique opportunities for educational assistance, volunteerism, leadership development, and scholarships.

   We have a great group of partners that provide unique value and opportunities for NSHSS members. We are taking particular care to partner with outstanding organizations that excel at doing good things for young people. We will continue to expand our partnerships and will start looking for ways to utilize the size of our membership to secure discounts for our members on things members utilize. We have recently partnered with Abercrombie & Fitch to provide scholarships for our students, with IBM to provide academic competitions, and with the United Negro College Fund.

7. Raise awareness of NSHSS in the secondary and post-secondary academic community

   NSHSS leadership attends conferences held by AAIE (Association for the Advancement of International Education), NACAC (National Association for College Admission Counseling) nationally and regionally, EAIE (European Association for International Education) and CIHE (Council for Industry and Higher Education) internationally, and NSPA (National Scholarship Providers Association). We have developed an exhibit booth to inform educators about our organization and to allow schools to register to nominate students. We have established a special section on our website for educators where they can recommend their top students for membership in NSHSS. The Society invites local educators to get involved in all member events as attendees, honored guests, and featured speakers. In 2008 we plan to include articles from educators in both the Monthly Update and Scholar's Journal publications. NSHSS has developed an electronic process for members to notify us of their top three college acceptances. We are going to utilize this information to build additional relationships with schools of high interest for our members.

8. Hold eight member events in different regions around the country to allow key stakeholders an opportunity to participate more actively with the NSHSS at the local and regional level.

   National Scholar Member Events are free for members and their families. At every event we honor and recognize all attending members, award scholarships, invite inspiring speakers such as Claes Nobel, integrate valuable information regarding the college admissions process, connect members with top colleges and universities, honor Educators of Distinction, and announce new scholarship opportunities, programs, and international trips. Every Society event focuses on celebration, inspiration, networking, and learning. This year NSHSS hopes to hold at least eight member events.

9. Continue providing value and benefits to members after high school graduation.

   We stay connected to our members as they move into college. These members are always invited to events and receive our publications. We solicit their input for articles about the transition to college and their first year experiences.

10. Parent Council

    We have established a Parent Council that has a primary purpose of advancing the mission of NSHSS through fundraising and awareness building. We have selected a National Parent Chair and several regional Parent Chairs for the Council. We encourage all member parents to become involved.

11. Community Service

    We are working to increase member participation in activities that strengthen their local communities. NSHSS has held various community service initiatives over the past five years with both Habitat for Humanity and Hands on Atlanta's Discovery Program. We plan to grow this area of member participation and volunteerism by providing opportunities for students to get involved in their home cities, as well as equipping them with resources to create and accomplish their own passions regarding community service.

12. University Partnerships

    We are establishing partnerships with top colleges and universities around the world through our Collaborating Universities program. At the end of 2007 we had six domestic collaborators and thirteen international collaborators. This year we hope to further expand our university affiliates including more top 100 domestic institutions. These partnerships will add value to student membership by increasing students' exposure to outstanding schools and by providing exclusive academic opportunities. In previous years we have participated with prestigious colleges as Harvard University, UCLA, and Emory University, and others to hold member events on campus.

13. International Opportunities

    We are expanding international travel opportunities for our members to explore and learn about other cultures to help develop a global awareness in our youth. Members will have the opportunity to travel to Australia and to Ireland in 2008 with Chairman Claes Nobel, and we are planning other global awareness programs for members. Additionally, we have inducted NSHSS members from over 180 countries.