The Kaplan Educational Foundation\u00a0(KEF) celebrates the latest college decisions from its 19th cohort of scholars in its Kaplan Leadership Program (KLP).\u00a0Established in 2006, KEF\u2019s Kaplan Leadership Program helps high-potential, low-income, and underserved community college students complete their associate degree, successfully transfer and go on to earn a bachelor\u2019s degree at the nation\u2019s most highly-selective schools. The program focuses on a holistic approach \u2013 providing extensive tutoring, academic advisement services, leadership and career training, stipends for living expenses, and other resources and support to help them expand their personal goals, and eventually attain leadership roles in their professions and communities.<\/p>\n
Kenny Lin, a first-generation college student from the Bronx<\/a> and graduate of LaGuardia Community College<\/a>, just accepted his transfer to Georgetown University<\/a> to pursue a degree in Political Science.<\/p>\n He achieved this through the Kaplan Leadership Program (KLP), which helps high-potential, low-income community college students transfer to the nation\u2019s most selective four-year universities.<\/p>\n Kenny\u2019s journey is deeply tied to the city. Growing up in a tenement home in Brooklyn\u2019s Chinatown, he saw his family struggle financially, which sparked a lifelong passion for housing affordability and community advocacy. Now a Bronx resident, his ultimate \u201cBig Dream\u201d is to enter the federal government as an elected official to expand the social safety net for working families.<\/p>\n College decisions for the 2026 Kaplan Leadership Scholars are as follows:<\/p>\n Nura Baalla \u2013 Borough of Manhattan Community College, University of North Carolina \u2013 Chapel Hill;<\/p>\n Pamela De Le\u00f3n Berroa \u2013 Queensborough Community College, Yale University;<\/p>\n Nataly Briones \u2013 LaGuardia Community College, Brown University;<\/p>\n Mame Fall \u2013 LaGuardia Community College, Princeton University;<\/p>\n Cristina Hill \u2013 Westchester Community College, Princeton University;<\/p>\n Kenny Lin \u2013 LaGuardia Community College, Georgetown University;<\/p>\n Ty Porter \u2013 Borough of Manhattan Community College, Brown University;<\/p>\n Emmanuel Rodriguez \u2013 Hudson County Community College, Cornell University;<\/p>\n Kelly Constante Yanzapanta \u2013 UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ, Pomona College.<\/p>\n This year\u2019s Scholars earned admission to more than 34 top schools nationwide.<\/p>\n \u201cTwenty years ago, KEF set out to prove that talent abounds in U.S. community colleges; it just needs a door opened. Our scholars embody the exceptional, yet often overlooked talent in community colleges, including non-traditional age learners, recent immigrants, and first-generation college students,\u201d said Nolvia Delgado, Executive Director, KEF.<\/p>\n \u201cThis year\u2019s KLP cohort is the latest example of what is possible when talented students get the support they need, with scholars headed to several of the nation\u2019s top schools. As we celebrate this year\u2019s cohort, we are not just marking their individual achievements, but honoring KEF\u2019s 20-year legacy of transformational impact.\u201d<\/p>\n Since KEF\u2019s inception, Kaplan Leadership Scholars have been accepted to the country\u2019s most competitive schools. 92% percent of Kaplan Leadership Scholars earn a bachelor\u2019s degree. In stark contrast, data from the Aspen Institute shows that while 80 percent of community college students dream of transferring to a four-year school, only 14 percent actually earn a bachelor\u2019s degree \u2013 even fewer who come from low-income families.\u00a0KEF\u2019s programs include KLP plus:<\/p>\n The Bridge Program,\u00a0which prepares high school students for a successful community college experience and future transfer through workshops, campus visits, early mentorship and practical resources<\/p>\n The Transfer Hub,\u00a0a digital platform that centralizes key resources and simplifies the transfer process, connecting students, advisors and institutions to help underserved learners navigate their path forward.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n About The Kaplan Educational Foundation<\/p>\n The Kaplan Educational Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity, was initially established and supported by a generous endowment funded by Kaplan, Inc. executives with the idea of helping a small group of students in a big way. The Foundation provides high-potential, low-income students with academic and financial support and leadership training to raise their expectations for success and open doors to opportunities that will change their lives and communities.<\/p>\n For more information, please visit here<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n