May 11, 2026

Gloria Willis Middle School Students Get a Glimpse of College Life at Rockhurst University

A bronze statue in the foreground with a group of people walking on a walkway in the background outside a stone building.

On a bright sunny day in April, students from Gloria Willis Middle School boarded buses for a trip that could shape their future after graduation.

Around 180 eighth-grade students visited Rockhurst University, near the Country Club Plaza. For many, it was their first time visiting a college campus.

A diverse group of students walks together on a sunny outdoor school campus.

The trip was part of a partnership between their school, Gear Up, and Prep-KC’s Data in Action program, part of Diploma+, a district-wide initiative from Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools to help students graduate high school prepared for college and careers.

At Gloria Willis, students had been learning how to understand and analyze data. Some had even earned certificates as young data analysts, and nearly 300 students had passed the exam over the past three years.

A group of people gather and converse outdoors on a sunny day near a pathway and green lawn.

“The Rockhurst visit was unique because they had an opportunity to connect what they learned in Data in Action to careers and college majors,” said Gloria Willis Middle School Diploma Liaison Cindi Thomas. “I always hope our students gain a new perspective from everything we do in Diploma+.”

When they arrived, students toured the small, but beautiful campus and learned what college life is like.

A bronze statue stands in the foreground on a sunny college campus, with students walking in the background.

“The Rockhurst campus had a lot of history that was interesting to learn about during the tour,” said eighth-grade student Kamari Tiller.

“The Rockhurst campus is very pretty. It was much bigger than other community colleges I've visited. It is a really competitive school that would make me work hard if I decided to go there,” added eighth-grade student Jean Gonzalez.

A speaker in a suit sits on a chair, addressing a row of audience members holding papers in a large hall.

While on campus, students also met professionals who explained how they use data in their jobs every day.

The students asked questions and began to see how the skills they were learning in class could be used in real life.

Later, they spoke with current college students, who shared their experiences and gave advice about the future. The eighth graders listened carefully, starting to picture themselves in those same classrooms one day.

A speaker leads a discussion with a small group of seated students in an auditorium.

“I really liked the conversations we had with professionals and students about how they use data in their work. I can see myself on a four-year college campus after high school because that is my future plan,” shared Miller.

For Ms. Thomas, the visit to Rockhurst was an incredible opportunity. “Students need to experience a range of options in real-life settings to make the best post-secondary plans.”