On August 7th, Queens College announced its $1.1 million grant made possible by Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Judy and Fred Wilpon Family Foundation, expanding upon its involvement with the Kessler Scholars Collaborative through 2030.
The four-year grant renewal aims to propel first-generation, limited income (FGLI) students through academic and community guidance, peer mentoring, and professional development. According to Kessler Scholars, after receiving a total investment of $16.5 million, this collaborative will continue across 15 campuses including Brown University, Cornell University, St. Francis College, and Syracuse University.
“Queens College has long been an engine of social mobility for so many who are the first in their families to attend college. The continuation of this extraordinary support from Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Wilpon Family Foundation aligns with our mission of providing access to a quality academic experience in a supportive and welcoming environment for those who might not otherwise have been able to successfully pursue a higher education degree,” QC President Frank H. Wu said in an August 7th QC press release.
The Kessler Scholars Program at QC started in Fall 2020, and has since supported 93 FGLI students as of Fall 2025, by holding workshops, celebration events, student mentor retreats, and the signature Summer Bridge Program, which aims to help students adapt into college life.
QC has also reported that students involved in the program have a four-year graduation rate that is more than double the national average for first-generation students and that students are incredibly invested in the program leading to a 90% engagement and retention rate.
“The Kessler Scholars Program at Queens College is a transformative opportunity that empowers first-generation students to thrive. By fostering a strong sense of community and service, offering high-impact support, and honoring students’ unique backgrounds and journeys, the program reinforces QC’s commitment to equity—ensuring every student has the resources, guidance, and confidence to succeed and lead in a more just and prosperous society,” QC Director of Honors and Scholarships Taruna Sadhoo said in an QC press release on August 7th.
Students who are interested in joining the Kessler Scholars Program must do so through one of the program’s campus partners and will only be admitted if they are eligible to meet the criteria set by that institution.
QC’s requirements include being a first-generation student (with parents or guardians who do not have a college degree), freshman status (students who have not attended college, AP Credit and College NOW is acceptable), eligibility for financial aid via NYS TAP, NYS DREAM ACT, PELL, or EXCELSIOR, cannot be enrolled in other honors programs, and high school grade point average of 85 (3.2) or above.
The Collaborative which works alongside the University of Michigan, where the first Kessler Scholars Program started, supported 752 scholars in 2023-2024, and reported that 97% of its spring 2025 graduates took part in at least one high-impact activity such as research, an internship, or study abroad as a result of the program.
One of the goals of the Kessler Scholars Program is to help address the adversities and concerns of first generation students as only 24% of all first-gen students earn a bachelor’s degree six years after starting college, despite making up more than half of all undergraduates in the United States.
“We are thrilled about this exciting next chapter for the important student success work of the Kessler Scholars Program. We are demonstrating how a comprehensive, cohort-based approach can help close outcome gaps and promote a sense of belonging for first-generation students. We are so excited to be able to extend this effort and continue to amplify its work to provide guidance to colleagues and institutions across higher education,” said Gail Gibson, Executive Director of the Collaborative in a July 23rd Kessler Scholars press release.
If you or someone you know is interested in applying at one of the program’s 16 campus partners, you can learn more about the Kessler Program here or Queens College’s program here.
