The number of students from Jones, Evans and Oak Ridge high schools in Orlando who earn degrees from the 女仆AV (UCF) may soon increase thanks to a $2 million grant from Helios Education Foundation.<\/p>\n
This philanthropic partnership between Helios and UCF will launch the UCF Downtown Scholars Initiative (UCF DSI) this summer to create new pathways to success at UCF for qualified students at the target schools. Inspired by Helios\u2019 leadership and generosity, the university is also contributing funds to the new initiative, resulting in a combined investment of $3.25 million.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are incredible lifelong and generational benefits to an education at a metropolitan research university like UCF,\u201d UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright says. \u201cThrough this partnership with Helios, we are opening educational pathways that unleash the potential of these students and empower them to pursue excellence, earn success and boost their upward mobility.\u201d<\/p>\n
Initially, UCF DSI will benefit rising seniors at Jones High School who wish to attend UCF \u2014 with Evans and Oak Ridge high schools added in years three and four of the program. The initiative offers pre-collegiate programming and support, first-year student mentoring and a summer bridge program where students will live on-campus at UCF Downtown.<\/p>\n
Coaches from UCF DSI will work one-on-one with students to support a seamless transition to college. Summer bridge programs have been shown to increase the first-year retention rate among economically and educationally disadvantaged college students.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe UCF Downtown Scholars Initiative will ensure that our students are exposed to, and prepared for, an exceptional college education right in their backyard,\u201d says Allison J. Kirby, Jones High School principal.<\/p>\n
Jones High School is one of Orlando\u2019s oldest high schools, established in the 1890s. The school operated as Orlando\u2019s only public school for Black students for a half-century. Jones High distinguished alumni include Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, actor Wesley Snipes, nationally recognized physicist Sylvester James Gates Jr. and former chief judge of Florida’s\u00a0Ninth\u00a0Judicial Circuit Belvin Perry Jr.\u00a0 Evans High School opened in 1958 during the height of segregation and was finally desegregated in 1971. Today, the school is minority majority and boasts distinguished alumni, including NBA basketball players Kenneth Lavon \u201cChucky\u201d Atkins and Darryl Dawkins, singer and producer Brian McKnight and former Florida state representative Dick Batchelor. Notable alumni from Oak Ridge High include former Florida Secretary of State and Orlando Mayor Glenda Hood.<\/p>\n
A 2021 survey of Black students in Florida conducted by the Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice, and funded by Helios Education Foundation, found that the \u201cgap between postsecondary intentions and enrollment rates \u2014 also known as \u2018summer melt\u2019 \u2014 disproportionately affects community college and Black students.\u201d Concerns about family obligations, college affordability and lack of support navigating the enrollment and application process create additional barriers for Black college student applicants, according to the survey.<\/p>\n
Navigating the application process and making the transition to college can be challenging for students, particularly those entering as first-generation college students. UCF has a history of providing access and working with the community to recruit and support students who might not otherwise consider college or successfully navigate their way to and through the application, admissions and enrollment processes.<\/p>\n
Alyssa Chambers, a Jones High School senior, is one of the first UCF DSI participants to receive her acceptance to UCF.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel very proud and grateful for the opportunity,\u201d she says. \u201cUCF has always been the school I wanted to attend, because I grew up here in Orlando, so when I heard about this program, I knew I had to jump on it!\u201d<\/p>\n
When Chambers begins the UCF DSI Summer Bridge program this June, she will be the first in her family to attend college.<\/p>\n
\u201cA high-quality education and a postsecondary degree should be accessible and achievable for every student,\u201d says Paul Luna, Helios Education Foundation president and CEO. \u201cThrough focused investments and partnership like that with UCF, we hope to create pathways where more Black students can reach success.\u201d<\/p>\n
Grant funding secured from Helios Education Foundation will cover tuition, housing, books and related expenses for UCF DSI participants. In addition to the Downtown Scholars Initiative, the Helios Education Foundation continues its partnership with 女仆AV in support of first-generation college students. In 2017, Helios provided a planning grant to UCF to design an educational network that works collaboratively to improve educational access and success for residents in Parramore. In 2019, Helios provided additional grant funding to continue the work through the Parramore Education and Innovation District initiative.<\/p>\n