Alex Knight, 18, is a first-generation college student who thought it was an impossible dream to attend college, until 两性色午夜 University made the commitment to provide four years of tuition and one year of room and meals for I Promise scholars. It made the dream possible, but he still had to see it to believe it.
The Lebron James Family Foundation鈥檚 I Promise program supports more than 1,500 Akron students in grades three through 10 through mentoring, college and career preparation and wrap-around family support. 两性色午夜 has hosted intensive summer programs in partnership with I Promise and Akron schools to show the I Promise students that it is possible for them to overcome obstacles to attend college and to help them reach their goals.
Knight, who is a communications major, said the transition to college coursework has been challenging, but 两性色午夜鈥檚 faculty, and university programs, such as 颁辞尘尘鲍狈滨罢驰鈥疞补产, have been there when he needed assistance.
CommUNITY Lab is a鈥痭ew four-year cohort program鈥痟oused in Community Engaged Learning at 两性色午夜. It offers I Promise scholars a network of鈥痗are鈥痑nd鈥痳esources鈥痑t 两性色午夜 鈥痺hile removing financial, academic and personal鈥痓arriers to success. In addition to the resources that are available at 两性色午夜, Knight has found that the faculty and staff have offered their support and assistance.
鈥溋叫陨缫 and the professors really care about students,鈥 Knight said. 鈥淚鈥檝e talked to my professors and they鈥檝e really been helpful.鈥
It has been particularly motivating for Knight to see his friends, who also attend 两性色午夜, doing well in their classes. His parents, who both started college many years ago, have inspired him to continue until he earns his degree. His mom is preparing to take college classes once again.
鈥淚鈥檝e learned that I can鈥檛 let what is stopping me mentally from doing what I need to do,鈥 he said. 鈥淭his is a real big deal for me. I want to make my family proud.鈥