Kessler Scholars Collaborative

It's uplifting to see Kessler Scholars from Cornell University and Syracuse University unite for a memorable cross-campus retreat in the mountains of upstate New York!! The Kessler Scholars Collaborative connects first-generation students across 16 partner institutions, and we are committed to leveraging our national reach to build students’ networks and expand their sense of possibility. We also are always up for karaoke and campfires! A big thank you to Carlota Deseda-Coon, Lourdes Morales, Shannon Musgrove, and Dannemart Pierre for making this retreat an outstanding success! #firstgenfirst Check out this thoughtful capture of the activities from Syracuse Kessler Scholar Chrissy James:

Love seeing this opportunity for cross-site connection between #kesslerscholars from The Johns Hopkins University and Queens College! Congratulations to the Kessler Scholars Program teams from both institutions for making this terrific big idea come to life! #firstgenfirst

Efforts to ensure success outcomes across the college experience and beyond for first-generation and limited-income students are dependent on a deep and nuanced understanding of how our educational systems are performing and where there are gaps in access and achievement. The Kessler Scholars Collaborative echoes this call from our colleagues at FirstGen Forward about the critical importance of preserving federal education research and data collection efforts to assure that all of us are able to rely on evidence-informed interventions to put first-gen students first and promote greater opportunity through higher education. 

The first year of college is a critical period that influences student success, especially for #FirstGen students. As part of the ongoing external evaluation of the Kessler Scholars Collaborative, colleagues at Ithaka S+R explored the effectiveness of three targeted interventions designed to support Kessler Scholars’ transition to college—peer mentoring, first-year seminars, and summer transition program. You can learn more about their findings in this blog post, and if you are attending the Annual Conference on the First-Year Experience hosted by the National Resource Center for the First-Year Experience and Students in Transition starting Sunday in New Orleans, we invite you to join the Collaborative’s Kristen Kuzmick Glasener, PhD and Ithaka’s Ifeatu Oliobi, PhD as they present insights from this report. https://lnkd.in/gBqn4VDm

Peer mentorship is one of the core components of the #KesslerScholars support model for first-generation, limited-income college students, and it is central to fostering students’ sense of belonging and well-being. As we close out January and National Mentoring Month, we want to thank peer mentors across our partner institutions for the guidance and support they provide to fellow #KesslerScholars. Read a testimonial about the power of peer mentorship from scholars at the University of Michigan below. #kesslerscholars #firstgenfirst #MentorshipMatters

On this day dedicated to honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the @Kessler Scholars Collaborative reflects on the values and commitments of Dr. King’s life and legacy around community and coalition building. We are honored to work in partnership with campus colleagues who strive to advance equity within and outside of higher education. Equally, we are honored to support and empower first-generation, limited-income college students to reach their fullest potential to contribute the world a better and more just place.  #kesslerscholars #firstgenfirst #MLKJrDay

We are incredibly grateful to our partners at SNY, for creating a unique and impactful experience for a group of Kessler Scholars to tour their state-of-the-art studio and gain career insights from the SNY leadership team. Thank you, SNY, for supporting the Kessler Scholars Collaborative's mission to prepare first-generation college students with career exploration opportunities and insider knowledge to thrive in their professional journeys.

Happy 2025! The start of a new year is always a powerful moment—a chance to reflect on the journey behind us and look ahead to the opportunities waiting in the months to come. In this year ahead, the Kessler Scholars Collaborative remains committed to closing equity gaps and promoting institutional transformation critical to the success of first-generation, limited-income college students. We are grateful to do this rewarding work alongside talented and inspiring #firstgen students, innovative campus partners, and amazing colleagues with Ithaka S+R and the American Talent Initiative. And we are grateful for the generosity of Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Judy and Fred Wilpon Family Foundation, whose support makes this work possible. Here’s to the new year and the work ahead! #HappyNewYear #firstgenfirst #kesslerscholars

Overcoming imposter syndrome and cultivating resilience were powerful themes during a week of transformative events hosted earlier this fall by Chrystle-Claire Greene, MSEd, Director of the Kessler Scholars Program at Queens College, a proud partner of the Kessler Scholars Collaborative.  These events illustrated the importance of connecting first-generation college students with alumni, mentors, and campus leaders who understand their unique strengths. Read more in this student-led newspaper article to learn how the Kessler Scholars Program is providing navigational support and empowering students for success in college and beyond. #CelebrateFirstGen #FirstGenFirst #KesslerScholars https://lnkd.in/esj4VY72

At the Kessler Scholars Collaborative, we are committed to understanding how to improve outcomes for #firstgeneration college students and providing insights from our work to #highereducation leaders. Across our 16 campus partners, first-year Kessler Scholars participate in tailored programming designed to acclimate them to campus, build community, and support persistence and degree attainment. A new report published by external evaluators Ithaka S+R showcases three interventions - peer mentoring, first-year seminars, and summer transition programs - offered to Kessler Scholars to enhance their first-year experience. Read the full report to learn more: https://lnkd.in/gBqn4VDm