Southern will provide residential leadership scholarships that cover housing expenses for 10 incoming New Haven Promise scholars beginning next fall.
The selected students — known as Promise Community Ambassadors — will provide mentorship and outreach to Southern’s New Haven Promise scholars and high school students in the New Haven Public Schools. To date, SCSU has had more New Haven Promise scholars (339) than any other university. To be eligible, students will be able to indicate interest and submit an essay on the New Haven Promise senior application. In addition, they will be instructed to supply a letter of recommendation.
“At Southern we are committed to academic excellence, access, social justice, and service for the public good,” said SCSU President Joe Bertolino. “As part of this mission, it is vital that we support our home community by providing educational opportunities and pathways to academic and personal success for New Haven students.”
University officials — in collaboration with New Haven Promise — will select the recipients of the residential leadership scholarships.
“We are thankful to Southern for providing this deep leadership development opportunity designed to support our many scholars at the university and for those students to give back to New Haven Public Schools,” said New Haven Promise President Patricia Melton. “This immersion into campus life is guaranteed to provide voice and agency for our scholars and we are proud that Southern has committed to that.”
New Haven Promise Community Ambassadors will participate in the Freshman Leadership Experience (FLEX) program, a six-week leadership experience beginning in August of their first semester, which will prepare them to serve in their campus and community roles. Ambassadors will explore their leadership potential, participate in meaningful leadership experiences, interact with current student leaders, faculty and staff, and discuss topics impacting students. The program commitment will last the entire academic year.
The New Haven Register, New Haven Independent and Channel 8 each ran stories about the press conference and the new scholarship program.
