It’s that time of year again! We’ve made it through College Decision Day 2022, and our KIPPsters who have chosen to enroll in college this fall are looking ahead to the next chapter. As always, we want to recognize the incredible work and collaboration of our KIPP staff, students, families, and communities that have led up to this point. Thank you, as always, for everything you do.
As we celebrate our college-bound KIPPsters, we are thrilled to announce two new cohorts of scholarship winners!
Goldberg Scholars
We’re so proud to announce the 2022 Goldberg Scholars! This year’s cohort includes 17 KIPP seniors from 10 KIPP regions, selected from hundreds of applicants across the country.
Created in partnership with the Sheryl Sandberg and Dave Goldberg Family Foundation, the Goldberg Scholars program honors the life and legacy of Dave Goldberg. As an entrepreneur and longtime friend of KIPP, Dave believed in the power of ideas and understood the importance of connection for leveling the playing field. This scholarship supports graduating seniors who embody Dave’s legacy of leadership, resilience, achievement, character, and entrepreneurial spirit.
In addition to receiving financial support for college costs, Goldberg Scholars are paired with a Goldberg Mentor to provide guidance and support throughout their college years. Goldberg Scholars also have access to a network of professional contacts who can help open doors to career-building opportunities, including summer internships and job opportunities.
Sheryl Sandberg, Meta COO and founder of Lean In and Option B., shared the following with me: “Dave believed that everyone should have the opportunity to excel and was a dedicated mentor and a source of support to so many. As we welcome the newest class of Goldberg Scholars and celebrate the first graduating class, I am filled with so much pride for all that these students have accomplished and know Dave would be too. Finding ways to extend his legacy means the world to our family and there is no better way to honor his memory than to see the impact these students will have in the world.”
There is nothing more inspiring than seeing these videos of the moment the students find out they have been selected as Goldberg scholars. Watch it once, or a million times.
Of the 30 Goldberg Scholars from our inaugural cohort in 2018, 28 are set to graduate this spring and the remaining 2 plan to graduate in the fall. All of these graduating seniors are on track to secure a strong job, and several have already received signed offer letters. Of our four annual Goldberg Scholars cohorts to date, every scholar is currently persisting through college!
We were able to catch up with a few of the graduating Goldberg Scholars in the last few months and here is what they told us about their college journey and how it feels to graduate from college and move to the next chapter of their lives.
Amplify Scholars
Fifteen KIPP seniors have been named Amplify Scholars for 2022! Created in partnership with iMentor, the Amplify Scholarship Program is now in its fourth year and recognize college-bound KIPP seniors who have demonstrated excellence in academics and leadership.
The 2022 Amplify Scholars represent 10 KIPP regions from across the country. They will receive financial support for school-year and summer expenses, as well as technology for learning. In addition, they will be matched with an Amplify Mentor for in-college support, and will have the chance to attend the annual Amplify Academy in New York City. Amplify Scholars receive ongoing support from the iMentor community throughout their college journey to set them up for success in career and beyond.
“The talented young people in this Amplify class inspire me with their leadership, their perseverance, and their excellence,” said Heather Wathington, iMentor CEO. “At iMentor, we see each day how mentoring relationships have the power to transform individual lives, and we are eager for our scholars to achieve their highest aspirations with the financial and mentorship support of the Amplify Scholarship. We need their voices and ideas to shape our world; we need them to lead our communities to meet tomorrow’s challenges”
It is amazing to see the community the Goldberg and Amplify scholars have been able to build with their mentors and with each other. Both the Goldberg and Amplify scholarships are a true example of how the power of mentorship and network can make a huge impact in students’ lives. Today, let us all celebrate and rejoice with these students and their families.
