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SUNY Fredonia’s new “Leap 2 Success” program, which focuses on helping first-generation, low-income Latino students gain college entrance and emphasizes the importance of higher education, completed its first year on June 10. The occasion was marked with a reception in the Williams Center on the Fredonia campus that recognized the achievements of 27 Dunkirk High and Middle School students.
Through the program, students took part in activities such as tutoring, field trips and campus tours. They learned about the college application process, participated in financial aid workshops and listened to motivational speakers. Fifteen high school seniors in the program have enrolled in college programs for fall 2010.
Leap 2 Success was funded through the Wal-Mart Foundation’s SEMILLAS Grant. Semillas is the Spanish word for “seeds” and, in the case of the program, stands for Seeding Educational Models that Impact and Leverage Latino Academic Success. SUNY Fredonia was one of only 20 colleges in the U.S. to be awarded this grant.
The program’s success is the result of planning and commitment, funded by Wal-Mart, supporting collaborative efforts from the Dunkirk City School District, Dunkirk 21st Century Program, Chautauqua Works, Jamestown Community College and SUNY Fredonia.
“It is very rewarding to see the great importance this community places on encouraging local Latino students to enter higher education,” said Rachel Skemer, the program’s grant coordinator.
Vice President for Academic Affairs Virgina Horvath and Vice President for Student Affairs David Herman commended the students, advisors and program sponsors for helping to make the Leap 2 Success program so impactful in its initial year.
Approximately 65 people attended the reception including Dunkirk Superintendent of Schools Gary Cerne, Dunkirk High School Principal Paul Lyons, Wal-Mart Store Manager Brad Ballentine, and a variety of other administrators from SUNY Fredonia, Dunkirk City Schools, Fredonia Central Schools and other area education-based organizations.
