LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The University of Louisville Office of Institutional Equity is bringing in a new program called Cardinals Rising.
It's focused on bridging the gap between college, and first generation, low-income, and underserved students.
Directors of the program, currently in its first year, are selecting 200 8th to12th grade students from the Jefferson County Public Schools.
Many of those students may think college is not an option, but director, Daquarius Mahone thinks differently.
"This is to provide students with access and tools, so when they get to UofL, they are able to persist, we retain them, and ultimately they succeed to graduation and their careers," Mahone said.
As a product of a program like this one, Mahone knows how well these programs can help students.
"The transition would've been much harder had I not had access to those opportunities," he said.
Currently, Mahone is attending UofL as a PhD student. He says the program is focused on building a NEST. That means to nurture innovation, elevate students' engagement, strengthen community, and transform lives.
When the 200 students are selected, the journey for them is immersive. Students will be assigned a student ambassador, who is also a current UofL student. They'll also have interactive workshops with hands on activities, financial wellness goals to gain knowledge how to manage money, and mental health support to prioritize well-being.
Mahone says it's important the program recognizes world events that students recently had to face, like the COVID pandemic.
No matter what, he wants the students to know they can reach their full potential but sometimes they need a little push.
"They'll build upon these skills, become cardinals rising, so I say, why not you?" he said.
If this program goes well, directors will expand to the entire state of Kentucky.
In a statement, JCPS leaders praised the program saying, "We appreciate any effort to help us foster a college-going culture among students who may never have dreamed that a college career could be available to them."
If you'd like to learn more about the program, click here.
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