Rising Scholars
Removing Educational Barriers for Ashtabula Students
THE ASHTABULA FOUNDATION
RISING SCHOLARS FUND
In 2019, the Ashtabula Foundation created a designated fund in support of the Rising Scholar Program at Kent State University at Ashtabula. The purpose of the Ashtabula Rising Scholars Endowment Fund is to provide scholarship support for Ashtabula Area City School students accepted into the program. The Foundation and Kent State Ashtabula formed an agreement to provide monetary support for this program.
THROUGH THE MANY GENEROUS GIFTS RECEIVED, THE ASHTABULA FOUNDATION RISING SCHOLARS ENDOWMENT FUND HAS REACHED NEARLY $756,000 IN DONATIONS AT THE CLOSE OF 2022!
About the Program
RISING SCHOLARS is a college access program designed to give first-generation students from Ashtabula Area City Schools a pathway to achieving a degree in higher education at no cost to participants.
The Rising Scholars Program includes:
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Year-round academic enrichment workshops focused on STEM subjects, college preparation, and financial literacy.
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Summer courses offer applied learning and service experiences.
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Individualized mentoring and advising.
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Parent workshops.
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Eligibility to apply for a Rising Scholars Mentor Scholarship at the Kent State Ashtabula campus, contingent upon successful completion of the program. (Six 6th-grade students from Ashtabula Area City Schools are chosen each year to apply to the program.)
The Kent State Ashtabula Rising Scholars Program will offer first-generation students from Ashtabula County a college access program designed to give them and their families the knowledge, rigorous academic exposure, and social support they will need in order to be successful at a world-class university. Students who successfully complete the high school portion of the program will be eligible to apply for a Rising Scholars Scholarship at Kent State Ashtabula. Our goal is for every student in our program to complete postsecondary education with the credentials necessary to succeed in his or her career.
Rising Together in 2023
Year four of the RISING SCHOLARS program was successful in connecting up-and-coming scholars with strong mentors and fulfilling the program's desired outcomes: to be a successful student, engaged learner, socially savvy, workforce ready, and committed to the community. While students celebrated learning in the classroom and balanced challenges and commitments this school year, 23 scholars excelled to achieve high-grade point averages for 2022-2023!
Heading into 2023-2024, the program will welcome its fifth class to bring the total to 29 scholars in grades 7-11, as well as a group of five highly qualified and experienced mentors. Among the many things program director Natalie Huya and the mentors do to connect with the scholars during the school year, encouragement cards and packets are sent to scholars, and a six-week virtual summer camp is held with scholars built around STEM, literature, NASA, and the arts during the summer. Beginning in August, following an orientation evening on campus for all scholars and their families, scholars, and mentors will meet for individual weekly one-hour sessions at the scholars' schools, and there will be a number of special packages for the scholars - back-to-school supplies and a holiday gift project - all made possible through the generous support of the program.