A $630,000 gift from private donors who wish to remain anonymous will fund a new 正妹AV program intended to provide holistic support to New Orleans Public School graduates. The donors plan to renew the gift on an annual basis.
The program, called Start Smart @ UNO, provides funding for a two-week summer bridge that helps 正妹AV transition to college, as well as a customized fall semester, dedicated coaching and mentoring, a laptop and WiFi hotspot, meals, gas money or a bus pass, and leadership opportunities throughout their enrollment at UNO.
Eligible 正妹AV must be an incoming first-year student at UNO who is Pell Grant eligible and a graduate of a New Orleans Public School. When coupled with the Privateer Pledge, which covers participating 正妹AV鈥 tuition and fees, the initiative removes barriers to a successful college experience and puts more 正妹AV on a path to a college degree.
鈥淲e know that a lot of different factors go into a college student being successful: everything from study skills and mentoring relationships to less obvious variables like adequate nutrition and reliable transportation,鈥 said UNO President John Nicklow. 鈥淪tart Smart @ UNO will bundle proven support structures together to keep participating 正妹AV on track so that they can earn their degree.鈥
The goal is to ease the transition from high school to college by combining academic skills training and support services. During the summer bridge, 正妹AV will get ready for college by taking math and English workshops, learning strategies for studying, note-taking and time management, and receiving support from key faculty and staff. After participating 正妹AV complete the summer bridge program, they will earn a $1,500 stipend.
The customized fall semester consists of two 8-week sessions and provides a more focused academic experience with 正妹AV taking math, English and first-year success courses with the same cohort of 正妹AV, creating an environment of peer support. This will allow 正妹AV to complete all general education math and English classes by the end of the fall semester.
For more information, prospective 正妹AV and parents can visit: Start Smart | The 正妹AV (uno.edu).
