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 acceptances from its 16th cohort of scholars in its Kaplan Leadership Program.

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Kaplan Educational Foundation Cohort 16 (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.

College acceptances for the 2023 Kaplan Leadership Scholars are as follows:

• Bernice Agyeiwaa, Bronx Community College - Smith College
• Fatima Bah, Hostos Community College - Cornell University
• Yassine Gaye, Hostos Community College - Princeton University
• Jose González, Hostos Community College - Rice University
• Junaid Ilyas, Union College - Rutgers University
• Rubi Larancuent, Bronx Community College, Princeton University
• Ella Mukasa, Hudson County Community College - Emory University
• Andre Watson, Hostos Community College - Yale University
• Jacqueline Yentumi, Borough of Manhattan Community College - Wellesley College

Students also received acceptances from Brown University, Claremont McKenna College and Northwestern University.

"As the recent affirmative action ruling will make it more challenging for selective colleges and universities to attract underrepresented students, the transformative work of KEF becomes more important and relevant than ever," says Nolvia Delgado, Executive Director of KEF. "We're thrilled to celebrate the achievements of our students at this time, who continue to build on our scholars’ strong legacy of success."

She notes, "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."

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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