iMentor and KIPP Announce Inaugural Recipients of the 2019 Amplify Scholarship
New York, NY – May 1, 2019 — Today, iMentor and KIPP announced that 15 high school seniors have been selected as the 2019 recipients of the Amplify Scholarship. These students were selected to be part of the inaugural 2019 cohort of Amplify Scholars from among nearly 200 applicants.
The Amplify Scholarship was established by KIPP and iMentor in 2018 to support KIPP graduating high school seniors across the country who have demonstrated remarkable leadership and achievement. The Amplify Scholars Program supports leaders of tomorrow, amplifying the voices of students who embody the values of leadership, excellence, civic-mindedness, and the power of relationships.
“We’re thrilled to announce the inaugural class of Amplify Scholars. This group of students embodies many of the core values of iMentor—demonstrating excellence, leadership, and a commitment to the power of relationships to transform our society. Together with our partners at KIPP, we are honored to support these graduating high school seniors as they continue their educational path to college,” said Mike O’Brien, CEO of iMentor. “I look forward to seeing the impact of their lives amplified across their communities in the years to come.”
KIPP currently operates 224 public charter schools educating nearly 100,000 students across 20 states and the District of Columbia. KIPP students graduate from four-year colleges at a rate that is above the national average for all students, and approximately three times the average for students from similar economic backgrounds nationwide.
“Our partnership with iMentor not only makes us stronger but will help us empower a new generation of diverse leaders,” said Richard Barth, CEO of the KIPP Foundation. “The Amplify Scholarship allows our students to focus on their learning experience and not have to constantly be worried about paying for books, housing and other supplies for college.”
All 15 students in the inaugural cohort of Amplify Scholars will receive a unique combination of financial support and mentoring during their four-year college experience. Highlights include:
- A mentor to provide ongoing support throughout college.
- Financial support totaling approximately $15,000 a year to cover a range of non-tuition needs not traditionally covered by college-based financial aid.
- Participation in an annual Amplify Academy, where scholars will build connections, skills and community to support their success in college and beyond.
The 15 recipients of the Amplify Scholarship have attended KIPP schools in twelve communities: Memphis, Colorado, Houston, Chicago, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Austin, Baltimore, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Kansas City, and New York City. All of the recipients are students of color and many will be the first in their families to attend college. Any student who attended a KIPP school for either middle or high school and had above a 3.0 GPA was eligible to apply for the Amplify Scholarship.
The Amplify Scholarship is a natural extension of the important mission of iMentor — to empower first-generation students from low income communities to graduate high school, succeed in college, and achieve their ambitions. Even more exciting is the opportunity to partner with KIPP Through College, whose mission and work has already been and continues to be a powerful change agent in the lives of KIPP students.
The Amplify Scholarship is tailored to bring the experience and best practices of both iMentor and KIPP Through College together to support students’ success to and through college. The program provides key supports to students to help them successfully navigate college, develop career-readiness skills, and transition into the professional world.
About iMentor
iMentor builds mentoring relationships that empower students from low-income communities to graduate high school, succeed in college, and achieve their ambitions. Launched in 1999 with 49 students in a single school in the South Bronx, today iMentor serves students in 20 cities across the U.S., partnering with public high schools in communities in which a majority of students will be first-generation college graduates. Since 1999, we have matched more than 33,000 students with mentors.
About KIPP
KIPP, the Knowledge Is Power Program, is a national network of 224 public charter schools that are dedicated to preparing students in educationally underserved communities for success in college and life. KIPP schools are part of the free public school system and enrollment is open to all students. Started in 1994 as a middle school program, KIPP has since expanded to enroll students in all grades from preK through high school.
PRESS CONTACTS
Cynthia Olson
Tel: 646-573-9987
press@imentor.org
Maria Alcón-Heraux
Tel: (646) 381-1124
mheraux@kipp.org