![]() ![]() Juan Paula, a sophomore attending Alvernia as a Reading Collegiate Scholar, said the scholarship was huge for him. Many seek admission to Alvernia in hopes of getting an RCSP-funded scholarship. Reading High students who participate in the RCSP are free to apply to any college they wish. “It’s easy for me to relate to them, because I was right where they are now.” “I went to school with these students and I understand what they’re going through,” said Noray, a healthcare science major and member of the Alvernia women’s tennis team. Working with students enables her to give back to the Collegiate Scholars program, and to provide hope and encouragement for those who may not believe college is possible for them. She now mentors students at her former high school. PICTURED: Alvernia freshman Jebediah Walston works through a problem with one of the high school students in the college readiness program.Ĭassandra Noray ( pictured top, right), graduated from Reading High School in 2014 and received RCSP scholarship to attend Alvernia. Reading High students also visit Alvernia in order to acclimate to campus life and be introduced to university academics. Teams of Alvernia students travel to Reading High School several days a week after school to provide guidance, direction and support. Long before these students are accepted for admission at any college or university, they work with Alvernia students and/or a college advisor to prepare for the SATs, learn how to fill out admission applications, identify appropriate colleges and work on financial issues. All but one of the first group is enrolled this semester (with the outstanding scholar attending military bootcamp), and all members of the second cohort are adjusting well to college life.įunded by donations from individuals, businesses and foundations, and also supported financially by Alvernia, the program is twofold. The first group, or cohort, of five scholars enrolled at Alvernia in 2014, and another cohort of 10 began in 2015. “This will make Reading a better place and a place with greater opportunity,” Butz said. Initiated in 2013, the innovative and ambitious Reading Collegiate Scholars Program (RCSP) works to give inner-city students an opportunity to rise above challenging circumstances by preparing them to attend and succeed at college.Įmily Butz, program coordinator for the college readiness portion of RCSP, said the program is good for students - and for the City of Reading. Polanco is one of the very first Alvernia Reading Collegiate Scholars, a group of students hailing from the City of Reading who graduated from high school and received full scholarships to attend the university. Now a sophomore, she is a member of Lambda Sigma Honor Society, and is confidently working toward graduation. Supported by other members of her cohort and assisted by her faculty mentor and the university's Educational Planning Center, Polanco quickly got back on track.īy the end of her first semester she had a 3.95 grade point average. “I was falling behind.”įortunately, she didn’t struggle for very long. Polanco never had a lab course as a student at a charter school in Reading, and found the work to be overwhelming. She also was confronted with two labs during her first semester. Majoring in nursing, she was daunted by difficult coursework and the task of adjusting to college life. Karina Polanco admittedly struggled during her freshman year at Alvernia. College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and MathematicsĮmpowering the Future | Alvernia Magazine.College of Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences.College of Business, Communication, and Leadership.
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