Five Phi Theta Kappa Members Named Kaplan Scholars
Jackson, MS -- The Kaplan Educational Foundation awarded scholarships
to a third group of community college students on May 29 and five Phi Theta
Kappa members were among the recipients. At the same time the Foundation
celebrated the transfer of its second group of scholars from community
colleges to four-year schools. Ranging from 18 to 32 years old, the participants
are made up of aspiring professors, attorneys and entrepreneurs.
The
Foundation's Leadership Program helps students at the community college
level with their continuing higher education goals. Targeted to help high-achieving,
lower-income, and under-represented students in the New York area reach
their full potential, the Program provides scholarships to help pay tuition
(historically as much as $30,000 per year). It also provides for a comprehensive
array of resources and personal support. Additional funds help the students
with living and other educational expenses. They also serve to guide the
students step-by-step through the transfer process from an associate's
to a bachelor's degree program. Leadership development training, academic
advising, tutoring, and career counseling are also offered.
"In
the knowledge economy of today, it is very important that not only deserving
high school graduates and students in four-year colleges get scholarship
opportunities, but students at the community college level also have a
chance to continue their educations," said Jennifer Benn, Director of
the Kaplan Educational Foundation. "We hope these students' success will
serve as a model to organizations striving to close the achievement gap
and to focus on individuals not typically targeted for scholarship opportunities
who have demonstrated great leadership potential."
Three
years ago Phi Theta Kappa's Executive Director Rod A. Risley worked with
Benn to help structure a program funded by Kaplan that would provide assistance
to need-based minority students attending New York City area community
colleges. "It is very much a hands-on program to help students complete
an associate degree and prepare to transfer to very good colleges," Risley
explained. "Kaplan provides scholarships and much needed personal advising
in the way of assistance."
The Program's first group of scholars
will graduate from four-year colleges next spring, including New York
University, American University, Goucher College and Morehouse College.
The Kaplan Educational Foundation continues to provide service and financial
support to these students through the completion of the Bachelor's program.
Scholars in the second cohort have already been accepted to four-year
schools, including Mount Holyoke College, Smith College, Howard University,
Syracuse University and George Washington University.
The
newly accepted Scholars are:
Janet Araya, a John Jay College
student and aspiring attorney.
Nolvia Delgado, a Borough of
Manhattan Community College student working as a legislative assistant
for a N.Y. State Assemblyman, interested in a career in public service.
Luis Feliz, a LaGuardia Community College student, volunteer
teacher for English as a Second Language (ESL) studies and aspiring professor,
who launched and writes for his school's literary magazine.
Bounyaminou
Gbadamassi, a trilingual Bronx Community College student and immigrant
from Togo, who hopes to lead a global business.
Kesha Montgomery,
a Queensborough Community College student and member of the Business Society
Club, hoping to work for the Federal Reserve.
Anastasia Morton,
a single mother and LaGuardia student, who wants to teach her community's
young people the importance of education and self-esteem.
Don
Patterson, a student at LaGuardia, where he holds multiple leadership
positions, including Executive Student Senator and liaison for the Student
Advisory Council.
Cristina Rodriguez, a LaGuardia student,
who wants to work on improving the public healthcare system.
Andrew
Santiago, an aspiring writer, Borough of Manhattan Community College
student, who works at Prep for Prep.
Norberto Taveras, Hostos
Community College student and aspiring occupational therapist, who serves
as Vice President of his school's Disability Awareness Club.
Phi
Theta Kappa members include Feliz, who serves as Publications Officer
for his chapter; Gbadamassi; Patterson, who serves as Phi Theta Kappa chapter
liaison for the Student Advisory Council on his campus; Santiago; and Taveras.
The
Kaplan Educational Foundation was founded by Kaplan, Inc., a global leader
in education and career services. The Foundation provides high-potential,
lower-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 their communities. For more information
about the Kaplan Educational Foundation, visit www.kaplanedfoundation.org.
Phi
Theta Kappa International Honor Society, headquartered in Jackson, Mississippi,
is the largest honor society in American higher education with 1,250 chapters
on two-year and community college campuses in all 50 of the United States,
Canada, Germany, the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands,
the Federated States of Micronesia, the British Virgin Islands, the United
Arab Emirates and U.S. territorial possessions. More than two million
students have been inducted since its founding in 1918, with approximately
100,000 students inducted annually.
