News & Media
View the latest news related to the Kessler Scholars Collaborative and our partner programs across the country.

New Kessler Student Center welcomes first-generation students to U-M LSA Building

WashU hits major milestone: Class of 2026 is 20% Pell Grant-eligible, 15% first-generation
Washington University in St. Louis has hit a major milestone in its quest to enroll more students with limited resources: 20% of the incoming Class of 2026 is Pell Grant-eligible, a 15 percentage-point increase from 10 years ago. In addition, 15% of incoming students...

Saint Mary’s College Receives $1 Million Grant for First-Generation College Students
Saint Mary’s will join 15 other institutions in bringing a comprehensive, cohort-based model for first-generation student success to campus

A groundbreaking LSA program closes gaps with continuing-generation students.
LSA has long been a leader in liberal arts education—not just delivering outstanding academics to a large, diverse student population, but repeatedly inventing new approaches that support students and make their education more effective and accessible. For instance,...

Ithaka S+R Announces a New Partnership with the Kessler Scholars Collaborative
First-generation students face unique challenges upon entering college. Compared to their peers whose families have a history of college attendance, these students are more likely to have additional responsibilities outside of the classroom, receive less financial...

Centre College Bolsters First-Generation Student Success Through Cohort Scholarship Programs
An interview with Sarah Scott, director of the Grissom Scholarship Program

The Kessler Scholars Program Expands to Ten More Leading Colleges and Universities
Source: Forbes The Kessler Scholars Program, a highly successful support program for first-generation college students first developed at the University of Michigan, is expanding to ten additional institutions.

Centre College receives $1 million to join Kessler Scholars Collaborative, a national network of first-generation focused institutions
Centre named among 10 colleges nationwide for highly selective program ensuring first-generation student success on campus.

Ensuring first-generation student success: UNC-Chapel Hill to join Kessler Scholars Collaborative
UNC-Chapel Hill receives $1 million to join Kessler Scholars Collaborative, a national network of first-generation-focused institutions.

New Kessler Scholars Program at Brown will expand support for first-gen, low-income students
Building on the success of the University’s existing FLiSP program, a new five-year, $1 million grant will create the Kessler Scholars Program, a cohort-based model that bolsters support for first-generation, low-income students.

Two $1M gifts boost UD Sinclair Academy
The University of Dayton will offer new scholarships and support to students in the UD Sinclair Academy with two major gifts — $1.25 million from a local couple who wish to remain anonymous and $1 million from Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Judy and Fred Wilpon...

Ohio State receives $1 million to join Kessler Scholars Collaborative
Participating institutions bring comprehensive model for first-generation student success to campus