Leadership Program Helps Community College Students Transfer and Earn Four-Year Degrees From Top Colleges and Universities

The Kaplan Educational Foundation (KEF) celebrates the latest college decisions from its 17th cohort of scholars in its Kaplan Leadership Program.

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The Kaplan Educational Foundation's 2024 Cohort. (Photo: Business Wire)

Established in 2006, the Kaplan Leadership Program helps high-potential, low-income and underrepresented community college students complete their associate's degree, successfully transfer and go on to earn a four-year bachelor's degree at the nation's most highly-selective schools. The program focuses on a holistic approach – providing extensive tutoring, academic advisement services, leadership and career training, stipends for living expenses, and other resources and support to help them expand their personal goals, and eventually attain leadership roles in their professions and communities.

Since KEF’s inception, Kaplan Leadership Scholars – primarily first-generation college students – have consistently earned admission to the country’s most competitive schools; 92 percent of Kaplan Scholars have earned a bachelor’s degree. (In stark contrast, data from the Aspen Institute shows that while 80 percent of community college students dream of transferring to a four-year school, only 30 percent manage to make the transfer happen, and of those who do, only 11 percent earn a bachelor’s degree – even fewer who come from low-income families.)

College decisions for the 2024 Kaplan Leadership Scholars are as follows:

• Barbara R. Abreu Bicelis, Borough of Manhattan Community College ‘24, Mount Holyoke College
• Joely Castillo, Borough of Manhattan Community College ‘24, Brown University
• Anthony Chimbay, Borough of Manhattan Community College '24, Lawrence University
• Shaquana Darden, Bronx Community College ‘24, Princeton University
• Yaxeny Hernandez-Ravelo, Hostos Community College ‘24, Lawrence University
• Shayla (Rose) Jimenez, Borough of Manhattan Community College ‘24, Smith College
• Paula Mayorga, Hudson County Community College ‘24, Mount Holyoke College
• Precious Opaola, UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ ‘24, Princeton University
• Vaughn Robinson, Westchester Community College ‘24, University of Southern California - Marshall School of Business
• Genesis Torres, Borough of Manhattan Community College ‘24, Brown University

This year's Scholars earned admission to more than 25 top schools nationwide.

"We're thrilled to celebrate the achievements of our students at this time, who continue to build on our scholars’ strong legacy of success," says Jonathan Chavez, Director of Academic Advisement, KEF.

"This year’s cohort continues to represent the wide diversity that exists in U.S. community colleges, including non-traditional age students, recent immigrants, first-generation and ESL learners, and students pursuing degrees in education, STEM, computer science, medicine, law and other fields. We’re excited to continue to remove barriers and provide greater access to higher education for talented, motivated individuals."

Earlier this year, KEF received a three-year grant from the Ichigo Foundation to fund a new Community College Bridge Program to extend its mission to a younger demographic – to help high school students from underserved communities prepare earlier for their community college experience while positioning them for successful transfer to and graduation from a four-year institution.

For more information on the Kaplan Leadership Scholars and how to apply to be a scholar: http://www.kaplanedfoundation.org

ABOUT THE KAPLAN EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION

The Kaplan Educational Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity, was initially established and supported by a generous endowment funded by Kaplan, Inc. executives with the idea of helping a small group of students in a big way. The Foundation provides high-potential, low-income students with academic and financial support and leadership training to raise their expectations for success and open doors to opportunities that will change their lives and communities. For more information, please visit www.kaplanedfoundation.org.

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