SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $540K IN FED FUNDS FOR UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER & SUNY BROCKPORT TO WORK WITH LOCAL HIGH SCHOOLS TO INCREASE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNTIES FOR DISADVANTAGED STUDENTS
Federal Dept. Of Education Funds UR And SUNY Brockport To Provide At-Risk Monroe County Children With Mentoring, Tutoring, Academic Advising Services, Visits To College Campuses and More
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced a combined $547,200 in federal funds for the University of Rochester and SUNY Brockport to expand higher-education opportunities for disadvantage children. This funding was allocated through the U.S. Department of Education’s “the Talent Search” Program.
Schumer and Gillibrand explained that these funds will allow the universities to help better serve students in high-poverty areas throughout the City of Rochester and Monroe County via mentoring, tutoring and academic advising, in addition to classroom and after school workshops. The award also supports trips to colleges and universities for students, as well as referrals to community agencies for employment. The senators said these kinds of services are aimed at increasing middle and high school retention rates as well as the application to, and enrollment and persistence in, college for lower- income and first- generation students.
“This is about opportunity. A college degree is critical in this constantly changing and competitive world and ensuring all young men and women have the skills they need to compete in a 21st century global economy is essential. For many students, however, there are simply too many obstacles standing in the way of obtaining that diploma, and these federal funds will help clear those obstacles by enabling the University of Rochester and SUNY Brockport to partner with area schools to expand their programs focused on mentoring, tutoring, academic advising, organizing college visits for students,” said Senator Schumer. “The University of Rochester in particular is improving outcomes at East High and this funding will enable them to do even more to help these students. I will continue fighting to make sure a college education is an obtainable goal for every New Yorker who wants one.”
“In order for New York to stay competitive in the 21st century global economy - and keep our skilled workforce in the region – we must prepare our students with the education they need for the jobs of the future,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Training programs like the Talent Search Program through the Department of Education can help make sure our children are prepared for the future. This federal funding allows the University of Rochester and SUNY Brockport to provide tutoring, guidance and an educational network to help students in need. I will continue to work with my colleagues to support more funding for programs like this to help increase high school retention and enrollment in colleges and universities in the region.”
“The David T. Kearns Center at UR is thrilled to have received this new grant award, as it will allow us to deepen our already strong connections with the students at East and Vanguard in the Rochester City School District. We look forward to continuing to transform lives through educational opportunity,” said Beth Olivares, PhD, Dean for Diversity Initiatives at the University of Rochester.
“The College at Brockport's Educational Talent Search program has a tremendously positive impact on hundreds of students from disadvantaged backgrounds in the City of Rochester. The funding from this grant allows us to provide these students with academic, career and financial counseling in an effort to help them realize their true potential,” said College at Brockport spokesman John Follaco. “We are thankful that the Department of Education has reinvested in this truly difference-making program.”
Specifically, UR will receive $240,000 to serve 500 local students at East High within the Rochester City School District as well as the Vanguard Collegiate High School. SUNY Brockport will receive $307,200 to serve 660 students within the Rochester City School District, and specifically at Monroe High School, Douglass High School, and the Integrated Arts and Tech. Campus, which is part of Franklin High School.
According to the U.S. Department of Education, the Talent Search Program identifies and assists individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds who have the potential to succeed in higher education. The program provides academic, career, and financial counseling to its participants and encourages them to graduate from high school and continue on to and complete their postsecondary education. The program publicizes the availability of financial aid and assists participants with the postsecondary application process. Talent Search also encourages persons who have not completed education programs at the secondary or postsecondary level to enter or reenter and complete postsecondary education. The goal of Talent Search is to increase the number of youth from disadvantaged backgrounds who complete high school and enroll in and complete their postsecondary education.
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