2024-2025
Annual Report
Letter from Executive Director
Our Impact at Year Five and Our Mission Ahead
The past year marked a series of extraordinary milestones for the Kessler Scholars Collaborative and our work to transform the college experience for first-generation, limited-income (FGLI) students. We celebrated the fifth anniversary of the launch of the Kessler Scholars Collaborative—a beginning that played out against the crisis headwinds of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the years that followed, the six campuses that led this emerging national project have demonstrated the impact of comprehensive, cohort-based student support that is core to the Kessler Scholars model. As you can read below, newly available data shows the cohort of first-year Kessler Scholars that entered in fall 2020 across the Collaborative’s inaugural program sites graduated at rates that exceeded four-year graduation rates for first-generation students across their campuses and far outpaced the national first-gen average for degree completion.
This anniversary year offered an important moment to look back at five years of impact for the Collaborative—a period in which we grew from six inaugural sites to program operations at 16 college campuses and from an initial reach of 320 students to approximately 1,300 students enrolled as Kessler Scholars this fall.
At the same time, our work this year boldly looked forward. In July, we announced grant renewal awards totaling $16.5 million following a rigorous application process in which campus partners closely assessed program performance to date and proposed strategic iteration to advance the work. We are grateful to our program founders, the Judy and Fred Wilpon Family Foundation, and to funding partner Bloomberg Philanthropies for championing this work and committing to this remarkable investment that will extend through 2030 direct-to-student support, shared learning and dissemination of program evaluation findings, and efforts for partner campuses to institutionalize best practices from the Kessler Scholars Program.
Our work in the past year has brought Kessler Scholars together across campus boundaries. It has enabled professional staff to unite in new ways to design innovative programming and reflect on the importance of student success initiatives in a period of unprecedented federal policy pressure on higher education. As we have from our launch in 2020, we also continued to ground the Collaborative’s work in rigorous evaluation with the goal of driving continuous improvement. We are delighted to share below highlights of that work from the 2024-2025 academic year, and we are especially pleased to have this annual report reach you within our newly redesigned and relaunched website (bookmark us at kesslerscholars.org) where you can learn more about the history and the bold future of our work to reimagine first-gen student success.
With gratitude and appreciation for your partnership,
Gail Gibson, Ph.D.
Executive Director
First Collaborative Class to Cross the Finish Line
From a College Start during COVID to Graduation Rates Outpacing First-Gen Peers
In spring 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered campuses nationwide and moved classes online almost overnight. That fall, the Kessler Scholars Collaborative welcomed its first cohort of Kessler Scholars across its six inaugural campuses—Cornell University, Johns Hopkins University, Queens College, St. Francis College, Syracuse University, and the University of Michigan.
As campuses closed, the Kessler Scholars Collaborative was preparing to officially launch in fall 2020, quickly shifting to virtual programming, designing opportunities to keep scholars connected and supported. Staff used interactive workshops, video calls, and peer mentoring to maintain community, while virtual cross-site events hosted by the Collaborative gave scholars a way to learn and connect across institutional boundaries. Program leaders also collaborated to address students’ basic needs, helping students secure laptops and internet access and providing virtual orientations and meetings.
Graduation Rates
Kessler Scholars (2020 Cohort)
First-Generation Students (6 Inaugural campuses)
First-Generation Students (National Average)
Four years later, that pioneering 2020 cohort reached the mark of college graduation, and more than 100 Kessler Scholars crossed the stage to receive their bachelor’s degrees. The Kessler Scholars Collaborative’s strong evaluation framework allowed us to follow the first cohort’s progress from start to graduation. Despite beginning college during the pandemic, these students achieved a 78% average four-year graduation rate, outpacing their first-generation peers at their home institutions (59%) and nearly tripling the national average for first-generation students.
From their first year to graduation, students reported strong belonging and engagement, both key drivers of persistence. In the spring of their first year, 84% of scholars felt part of their campus community, higher than comparable national averages, and by graduation, 9 out of 10 scholars rated their experience in the program as good or excellent, and 96% reported that they would recommend the program to other first-generation students.
Their journey–from navigating online classes in their first semester to leading campus organizations, conducting undergraduate research, and preparing for careers and graduate school–reflects their resilience and determination. Together with campus partners, the Kessler Scholars Collaborative celebrates this class as a powerful example of what first-generation, limited-income students can achieve when they are connected to community and opportunity.
of Kessler Scholars were satisfied with their program experience.
of Kessler Scholars would recommend the program to first-gen peers.
Learn more about the experiences and outcomes of the inaugural class of the Kessler Scholars Collaborative at this research brief produced by external evaluators with the non-profit research group Ithaka S+R.
View publicationProfiles from the Inaugural Collaborative Graduating Class
Alex Solis
Johns Hopkins University
Class of 2024
“Being a Kessler Scholar here at Johns Hopkins has truly enriched my experience, not only by allowing me to form a community with like-minded individuals who have the greater Baltimore community at the forefront of their minds, but also through providing truly beneficial guidance in navigating undergrad as a first-gen student, as well as offering professional development to prepare me as I begin to transition to life beyond campus.”
Kelvin Kwaku Boakye
Syracuse University
Class of 2024
“In high school, I received a letter that said I’d been selected to be a Kessler Scholar. There was nothing on the Syracuse University website yet about being Kessler Scholars because we were the inaugural class. My first encounter with Kessler was the summer before my freshman year and the cohort all met each other online. I was nervous going into college. That first Zoom made it all a little bit easier. Then, when we had our first group meeting after school started, and I remember being really excited because it was nice having a community, being able to say, “oh, I know her” or “I know him.” My best friend right now, I met her at that first Zoom.”
Brianna Baliat
University of Michigan
Class of 2024
“This program has been a major source of community and provided me with a space where I could be vulnerable and share my experiences without fear of judgment. As a first-generation student, navigating university life often felt daunting and heavy at times, but I found solace in sharing my journey with my peers in the program who understood the unique hurdles that first-generation students face.”
Our mission at the Kessler Scholars Collaborative is to provide transformative support to first-generation students across the undergraduate journey and beyond.
About the Kessler Scholars Collaborative
At the Kessler Scholars Collaborative, we believe that higher education institutions are stronger when we work together. Together with our network of partner campuses, we are transforming the college experience for first-generation, limited-income students and driving institutional transformation to improve student success. We use an evidence-based and collaborative approach to drive and measure our impact on first-generation students and the colleges and universities that serve them.
Working Together to Reimagine the College Experience for First-Gen College Students
For many first-generation students, navigating college life not only requires decoding the hidden curriculum of academic expectations and campus structures but also coming to terms with the often deep professional and personal networks of their peers whose parents hold an earned bachelor’s degree and the doors that those ties can open. At the Collaborative, we are committed to leveraging our national reach to connect Kessler Scholars to new opportunities and across campus boundaries, expanding students’ networks and their sense of possibility about professional pathways, academic exploration, and personal growth.
Our work is driven in part by research showing that experiential learning opportunities, like participating in study abroad, internships, or research programs, improve college success outcomes. At the Kessler Scholars Collaborative, we aim to ensure that 90% of all Kessler Scholars will participate in at least one such experience across their college journey, and an incredible 97% of Kessler Scholars seniors graduating in the Class of 2025 reported doing so. We also know that students can thrive and find a greater sense of belonging when they are part of a close, connected community, both on their own campus and beyond.
The past year saw Kessler Scholars embarking on bold opportunities and making new connections across our national network in exciting ways:
Kessler Scholars from Brown University, Johns Hopkins University, The Ohio State University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill joined high-achieving undergraduates from across the country to participate in the Summer Research Opportunity Program (SROP) led by the University of Michigan’s Rackham Graduate School, spending 10 weeks on the U-M campus learning from faculty mentors and exploring careers in research fields.
Campus teams from Cornell University and Syracuse University hosted a cross-site retreat in the mountains of upstate New York for Kessler Scholars from the two campuses, bringing students together for workshops on career and financial planning while also creating space for shared games and personal exploration, all with matching pajamas!
A spring break road trip for first-year Kessler Scholars from Johns Hopkins that focused on career and cultural exploration in New York City included a day of connection with fellow Kessler Scholars on the campus of Queens College and a send-off dinner in Manhattan that drew program alumni from the New York City region.
A delegation of 14 Kessler Scholars from 10 partner institutions came together last November to participate in the First Gen Summit, an annual student-led conference focused on experiences of first-generation college students. The conference included a panel discussion led by four Kessler Scholars who described the impact of their membership on the Kessler Scholars Collaborative Student Leadership Board. This Collaborative-led initiative features a student representative from each of our 16 program sites and focuses on student leadership development and emphasizes the role of scholar leaders in shaping Collaborative-wide and campus-level activities.
Enhancing the Kessler Scholars
Experience to Ensure College Success
We served more than 1,000 Kessler Scholars during the 2024-2025 academic year and proudly added 124 new graduates to our growing Kessler Scholar alumni base. The majority of Kessler Scholars reported a positive experience within the program, with 9 out of 10 Kessler Scholars rating their experience as good or excellent in spring survey results. Kessler Scholars students feel cared for and supported by the program and report a strong sense of belonging and mattering within these small, tight-knit communities that has been proven to improve retention, academic achievement, and degree completion.
1020
actively enrolled Kessler Scholars across 16 partner campuses
124
new graduates, adding to a growing alumni network of 500+ Kessler Scholars
90
of Kessler Scholars rate their experience in the program as excellent or good
“The Kessler Scholar program offered me a group of people I could connect with and gave me the opportunity to immediately make friends. It also provided me with a sense of security because I knew that I would always have resources in case I needed help or support.”
85% of respondents report a strong sense of belonging to Kessler Scholars Program
88% of respondents report strong feelings of mattering to the Kessler Scholars Program
97% of graduating seniors completed at least one high-impact practice
Advancing Learning and Innovation Through Campus Partnerships
Our work to improve the college experience and outcomes for first-generation, limited-income students would not be possible without close engagement by campus-based staff who are deeply committed to fostering student belonging, growth, and success. By leveraging the expertise of campus teams across our 16-institution network, we achieve meaningful progress together, grounded in a community of practice that is built on trust, engagement, and continuous improvement.
Through frequent engagement, campus team members share ideas openly, celebrate each other’s successes, and reflect on challenges to refine programming, foster innovation, and advance first-generation student success. Campus staff bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to their work with Kessler Scholars and their engagement with one another. Nearly three-quarters of the professional staff supporting Kessler Scholars identify as first-generation college graduates, and almost half have worked in the higher education field for a decade or more.
Kessler Scholars Program Staff 2025 Snapshot
First-Gen
Graduates
Breaking barriers and paving the way for future generations in higher education
Hold Graduate
Degrees
Committed to advanced learning and professional development to support college student success
Have Over a Decade of
Higher Ed Experience
Experienced professionals with deep institutional knowledge and experience
Dedicated Staff Supporting Kessler Scholars
Campus leaders are instrumental to the success of Kessler Scholars. They design and execute cohort-based workshops to build community and facilitate learning. Staff meet individually with students to assist them in achieving their academic and professional goals. For many program team members, the mission of the Kessler Scholars Program is personal, and their shared identity as first-generation or lower-income college graduates deeply influences their work with Kessler Scholars.
“As a first-generation college graduate, I understand the importance of incorporating student voices. My approach to creating programs is to allow students to have their voices heard and to create spaces where they feel comfortable sharing their insights.”
– Kessler Scholars Program staff member
Together, these higher education professionals are invested in the success of Kessler Scholars, and they are helping the Collaborative achieve our collective aim to close equity gaps in higher education and transform the college experience for FGLI students nationwide.
Monthly Learning Sessions to Support Campus Partner Community of Practice
Each academic year, campus partner staff connect virtually in peer-to-peer learning sessions to share strategies and promising practices to support Kessler Scholars programming. These regular points of connection enable campus staff to share strategies for building community, engaging students, and navigating complex campus environments. These conversations also allow teams to analyze student survey data from external evaluators and refine programming to reflect student input and feedback.
“The [community] conversations provide a space for like-minded and driven individuals to share ideas and to also learn best practices for their own campus culture. They are so helpful for me!”
– Kessler Scholars Program staff member
Across the 2024-2025 academic year, 99% of program staff reported these Collaborative-led sessions were relevant to their work with Kessler Scholars, and 85% rated them very or extremely effective in sharing knowledge across institutions.
“Working alongside such dedicated and insightful colleagues has been both a privilege and a learning opportunity. The spirit of cooperation, the willingness to share best practices, and the mutual respect that have characterized our interactions have significantly contributed to our collective progress. It is through this kind of collaboration that we are able to achieve meaningful outcomes and foster a culture of continuous improvement.”
– Kessler Scholars Program staff member
Name Name
Title or other info
Summer Convening 2025 Highlights
Campus colleagues came together in-person this year at our annual Summer Convening, held in July at Washington University in St. Louis. More than 40 campus staff members participated in a two-day event focused on shared goal setting, community building, peer guidance, and innovative program design. Highlights of this year’s Summer Convening included a panel discussion featuring Fred Wilpon, founder of the Kessler Scholars Program, along with WashU Chancellor Andrew D. Martin and Nick Watson, higher education program lead for Bloomberg Philanthropies, along with keynote remarks delivered by Anna Gonzalez, WashU Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, about the importance of sharing our own stories that guide this work and learning the stories of the students we support. Campus teams also gained insights from five current Kessler Scholars, representing St. Francis College, Centre College, and WashU. This energizing gathering showcased the impact of each campus program, facilitated collaboration, and set the stage for a successful year ahead.
“Every single thing about this conference was top notch, more than any other conference I’ve attended. From the prep, to the registration, to the sessions, to the opportunity to interact and learn from peers, it was amazing. Thank you for all that your team did to make this an inspiring and educational event.”
– Summer Convening attendee
Sharing Our Story
Shaping the field
From its early design and development at the University of Michigan to its national reach today, the Kessler Scholars Collaborative has consistently emphasized the importance of rigorous evaluation to measure our impact and assure that the program model can be nimble and iterative to best support evolving student needs and campus challenges. We work closely with an external evaluation team at the national non-profit research organization Ithaka S+R to ask meaningful questions about the first-generation student experience and develop evidence-based methods for promoting student success.
This multi-layered program assessment—focused on student outcomes, the experiences of campus staff leading the program, and the impact of Collaborative-led support—allows campus teams and our own to continuously improve and deepen our shared work. We also are committed to broader shared learning and disseminating findings from our work to support broader innovation in higher education around student success programming and specific support for first-generation, limited-income students. We share program evaluation updates regularly on this website, and we highlight here two ways to learn more about the work and outcomes of the Collaborative:
Peabody Journal of Education
A September 2025 compilation of emerging research on success interventions for college students from lower-income households features an exploration of the experiences of first-year Kessler Scholars who participated in summer transition programs. Findings highlight how these programs foster belonging, build peer connections, and help first-generation students prepare for the social and academic transition to college.
Ithaka S+R
Kessler Scholars Evaluation Overview
External evaluation of the Kessler Scholars Collaborative is led by Ithaka S+R, a national non-profit focused on higher education research and evaluation. This page provides an overview of the evaluation team’s work and goals and provides links to regularly-issued research briefs and reports that capture the impact of the Kessler Scholars Program and key takeaways from its design and execution.