Kessler Scholars Collaborative

One core value of the Kessler Scholars Program is cultivating a sense of civic responsibility among the first-generation college students we support and amplifying the strong desire to give back that is often a central motivator for #firstgen students to pursue higher education. For many #KesslerScholars, this election day marks their first time voting, and we celebrate that milestone of civic engagement as they continue to seek meaningful ways to get involved, make their voices heard, and support their communities!

Marking the start of this week’s national First-Generation College Celebration 🥳 , the Kessler Scholars Collaborative convened a delegation of 14 Kessler Scholars from 10 Kessler Scholars partner institutions this weekend to participate in the First Gen Summit. This annual student-led event was held this year at Southern New Hampshire University. We were delighted to have Shakima Clency moderate a student panel with Atif Mahmood, Zayra Hernandez, Sophia Mancinelli, and Daquan Johnson, sharing their experiences and the many assets and strengths shaping their involvement on the Kessler Scholars Collaborative Student Leadership Board. 👏 👏 👏 All participants had the opportunity to attend interactive workshops about the first-gen student experience, reflect on the college journey, and connect with peers with similar backgrounds and stories. The Kessler Scholars enjoyed meeting other first-gen student leaders and expanding their networks, and they look forward to sharing what they learned with fellow scholars at their home institutions. We are committed to connecting first-gen students across Kessler Scholars institutions, and we were inspired by these incredible program ambassadors! A heartfelt thank you to First Gen Leadership for hosting such a fantastic event. #KesslerScholars #FirstGenSummit #StudentLeadership

As Careers in Student Affairs Month concludes, at the Kessler Scholars Collaborative, we are grateful for the vision and leadership of senior student affairs administrators who use their platforms to drive institutional change, increasing access and opportunities to enrich the college experience for first-generation, limited-income college students. Check out what Tonya Bailey-Curry and Justin Lorts say about their efforts to foster community, belonging, and student success in higher education. 👏

Great to have Shakima M. Clency, PhD share the work of the Kessler Scholars Collaborative and her expertise on supporting well-being for marginalized student groups as part of this week’s Student Success US 2024 Conference!

October is Careers in Student Affairs Month 🎉, and at the @Kessler Scholars Collaborative, we are delighted to spotlight Dannemart P. for her transformational work leading the Kessler Scholars Program Cornell University. Trained as a therapist, she promotes self-exploration and a growth mindset, encouraging Kessler Scholars to embrace new opportunities that expand their horizons. See what Dannemart has to say about the transformational impact of the Kessler Scholars at Cornell. #KesslerScholars #CareersInStudentAffairs 

Careers in Student Affairs Month is a wonderful occasion to celebrate the impactful work of first-generation graduates now working as student affairs administrators and serving as role models and mentors for first-generation, limited-income college students. At the Kessler Scholars Collaborative, we want to recognize Brian Williams, an alumnus of the University of Pittsburgh who now leads the Kessler Scholars. As a first-year seminar course instructor and through one-on-one meetings and cohort-based programming, Brian creates opportunities for Kessler Scholars at Pitt to explore and realize their academic and personal goals. See what Brian has to say about his work.

With Kessler Scholars enrolled across 16 partner institutions, the Kessler Scholars Collaborative continually seeks out innovative ways to bring students together across campus boundaries, fostering opportunities to connect, learn alongside one another, and center their unique first-generation experiences. Last week, in early recognition of First-Generation College Celebration, the Collaborative hosted three virtual events, bringing together more than 400 Kessler Scholars for tailored workshops focused on resilience and mental health, exploring passions and purpose, and gaining valuable insights into post-grad life. Great thanks to amazing #firstgen facilitators: Juliana Londoño led a workshop on “Resilient & Rising: From Stress to Success,” and Julia Carter presented “Passion, Purpose, and the First-Gen Path.” We are especially grateful to Kessler Scholars alumni who gave back to the program by presenting on their post-graduate experiences. It was great to have Lubna Azmi, Andrew R., and Dylan Gongora share advice with current Kessler Scholars. We look forward to the many more activities to come from the Kessler Scholars campuses as part of First-Generation College Celebration on November 8!

The higher education field is enriched by administrators who return to their alma mater in student-facing roles and positively shape the college experience for first-generation, limited-income students. At the Kessler Scholars Collaborative, we are delighted to welcome Christina Miley to the team at The Ohio State University, where she uses a student success coaching model to help Kessler Scholars overcome barriers and identify resources that can support the college transition for first-year students, and map goals for success across the undergraduate journey. In celebration of Careers in Student Affairs Month 🌟 , see what Christina says about her work.

October is Careers in Student Affairs Month 🥳 ! Our team at the Kessler Scholars Collaborative recognizes the powerful influence of dedicated staff shaping the lives of first-generation, limited-income college students throughout higher education. In honor of this month-long celebration, we are delighted to spotlight Anthony Desiderio, a St. Francis College alum who values the opportunity to support and encourage students, just as those who inspired him to pursue a career in higher education 👏 . Take a look at Anthony's reflections on his work with students on his campus. #kesslerscholars #CareersInStudentAffairs 

At the Kessler Scholars Collaborative, we value the opportunity to work with outstanding colleagues supporting Kessler Scholars at 16 colleges and universities. In recognition of Careers in Student Affairs Month 🌟 , an initiative dedicated to celebrating student affairs professionals, we are pleased to spotlight a few of the leaders making a difference in the lives of college students. Over half of the staff supporting Kessler Scholars are first-generation college graduates. This shared identity allows colleagues like Christin Kloski, MPA, to draw from their own experiences when designing programming and leadership development initiatives through cohort-based activities to empower first-generation, limited-income students to reach their full potential. See what Christin has to say about her work supporting Kessler Scholars at her alma mater, Saint Mary's College. #kesslerscholars #CareersInStudentAffairs