MERCY UNIVERSITY PARTNERS WITH KIPP PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO EXPAND COLLEGE ACCESS AND SUCCESS FOR FIRST-GENERATION STUDENTS

Mercy University President Susan L. Parish and Tessa Kratz, Senior Managing Director of the KIPP Forward Postsecondary Success Collaborative (front and center), surrounded by Mercy and KIPP staff and students.

Dobbs Ferry, New York – Today, Mercy University announced it has partnered with KIPP Public Schools’ innovative KIPP Forward Postsecondary Success Collaborative to expand college access and address the unique challenges faced by students of color from low-income families who are often the first in their families to pursue a college education. Through this partnership, Mercy and KIPP will work together to support alumni from high schools across New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island throughout their Mercy University experience so that they are better equipped to succeed.

“Mercy University is dedicated to breaking down barriers and ensuring equitable access to education,” said Susan L. Parish, Ph.D., M.S.W., president of Mercy University. “This collaboration with KIPP reflects Mercy University’s unwavering commitment to empowering students to succeed in their academic journeys and beyond.”

“We are thrilled to work in partnership with Mercy University on behalf of the alumni we serve; Mercy has been a leader in addressing the challenges faced by so many first-generation college students and we look forward to continuing to improve student outcomes together for many more students to come,” said Tessa Kratz, Senior Managing Director of the KIPP Forward Postsecondary Success Collaborative.

To support these students throughout their college experience, Mercy University will provide robust support services. This includes assistance with the application and financial aid processes, as well as assigning a dedicated Student Facing Liaison to each student. The Student Facing Liaison will facilitate mentoring meetings and activities between the Collaborative’s alumni across all class years, from freshmen to seniors. This mentorship will foster a strong sense of community and provide invaluable guidance to help these students thrive.

KIPP Forward Postsecondary Success Collaborative will ensure that seniors across KIPP Public Schools, Achievement First, and other partner high schools understand the benefits of a Mercy University education. Central to its program, all alumni attending Mercy will receive a KIPP Forward advisor who will meet with them regularly on campus for coaching sessions. This trusted advisor will work closely with the Mercy Student Facing Liaison to tackle any critical challenges that could impede their persistence along the way.

For students like Calvin Minaya, a sophomore at Mercy University and graduate of KIPP NYC College Prep, this type of support makes a difference. “I was really appreciative my freshman year of the support I received from my [Mercy] PACT counselor and my KIPP counselor,” said Minaya.  “My Mercy and KIPP counselors are always checking up on me and I know I can go to them if I ever feel like I am struggling or need help.”

As part of this collaboration, Mercy looks forward to working with KIPP to develop innovative programs and strategies to address college access, admission, persistence, and financial challenges faced by these students.

For more information, visit www.mercy.edu, and https://kippnyc.org/kipp-forward/.