More than 800 Whatcom and Skagit county fifth-graders became Western Washington University students for the day Tuesday, Oct.

Cyndie Shepard, who is volunteering her time as head of the Compass 2 Campus mentoring program at Western Washington University, was interviewed by Joyce Taylor on KING 5 Television's Morning News program Oct. 26.

Also interviewed was WWU student Tatum Hoskinson, who is a mentor in the Compass 2 Campus program.

The video below is from KING5 television in Seattle.

Hundreds of Western Washington University students have become mentors to fifth-graders this fall in a proactive effort to get more kids to see themselves as college-bound. On Tuesday, Oct. 27, those fifth graders from Skagit and Whatcom counties visited Western’s campus to see firsthand what a university campus is like.

Modeled after a successful program in Wisconsin, Compass 2 Campus aims to get more kids thinking early about college with the help of mentors and role models to show them the importance of higher education.

WWU Compass 2 Campus Director Cyndie Shepard and WWU student Tatum Hoskinson discuss the Compass 2 Campus program, which encourages elementary aged students to not only stay in school, but to think of college as the natural next step after graduation.

Cyndie Shepard, who is volunteering her time as head of the Compass 2 Campus mentoring program at Western Washington University, was interviewed by Joyce Taylor this morning on KING 5 Television's Morning News program.

Also interviewed was WWU student Tatum Hockinson, who is a mentor in the Compass 2 Campus program.

Watch the video online at http://www.king5.com/video/featured-videos/Compass-2-Campus-66550782.html.

Hundreds of Western Washington University students have become mentors to fifth-graders this fall in a proactive effort to get more kids to see themselves as college-bound. On Tuesday, Oct. 27, those fifth-graders from Skagit and Whatcom counties will be visiting Western’s campus to see firsthand what a university campus is like.

Modeled after a successful program in Wisconsin, Compass 2 Campus aims to get more kids thinking early about college with the help of mentors and role models to show them the importance of higher education.