Boston, MA – May 3, 2021 – Today, iMentor and KIPP, a network of public charter schools, announce Serena Porte from KIPP Massachusetts as one of the 15 recipients to receive the 2021 Amplify Scholarship , which provides KIPP students and alumni with support in the transition to college. Each Amplify Scholar will receive mentorship, professional development and $60,000 to cover a range of expenses not traditionally covered by college-based financial aid. This video shows the moment Serena receives the news she has been selected for the scholarship and this is a compilation video of all the students’ reactions. Attached is Serena’s headshot for the story.
“Our students have the power to transform the world,” said Richard Barth CEO of the KIPP Foundation. “Our partnership with iMentor supports them in their freedom to explore the professional paths they choose in college without the financial burden of non-tuition expenses. The Amplify Scholarship continues to show the incredible power of mentorship and it gives us a picture of what can be achieved when barriers are removed for talented young leaders!” Serena Porte, a senior at KIPP Academy Lynn Collegiate, plans to study Civil Engineering at Bucknell University in the fall. During her time in school, she participated in various STEM projects including the Samsung Project, which deepened her interest in 3D design. Serena aspires to become a mentor, encouraging young women of color to take up careers in STEM by exposing them to new opportunities.
“When thinking of going to college, I was always worried about the financial aspect of it and how I would afford some of the extra materials I may need when majoring in a STEM field. Earning this scholarship has alleviated a lot of that worry,” said Serena.
“I am thrilled to announce our third cohort of Amplify Scholars. This group of KIPP students embodies many of the core values of iMentor – demonstrating excellence, leadership, and a commitment to the power of relationships to transform our society. Each student has a unique story and we are thrilled to support these graduating high school seniors as they continue to and through college,” said Jana L Reed, Interim CEO of iMentor. “I look forward to seeing how our scholars use the skills they develop to impact their communities and bring change to the world.”
iMentor will work closely with staff from the KIPP Through College program to ensure scholars are building the knowledge, skills and mindsets necessary to thrive in college and beyond. While in college, Amplify scholars will receive guidance from an iMentor program manager, work one-on-one with a volunteer mentor who will support scholars through their educational and professional pathways, and benefit from the iMentor community to learn about summer internships, scholarship stipends, and career opportunities.
About KIPP
KIPP, the Knowledge Is Power Program, is a national network of 255 public charter schools dedicated to preparing students in educationally underserved communities for success in College and life. KIPP schools are part of the free public school system and enrollment is open to all students. Started in 1994 as a middle school program, KIPP has since expanded to enroll over 112,000 students in all grades from PreK through high school. Nationwide, KIPP students complete their bachelor’s degree at a rate of 35 percent, comparable to the national average for all students and approximately three times higher than the average for students from low-income families.
About iMentor
iMentor builds mentoring relationships that empower first-generation students to graduate high school, succeed in college, and achieve their ambitions. iMentor was founded in 1999 by John Griffin, Richard Buery and Matt Klein. Launched with just 49 students in a single school in the South Bronx, iMentor has served nearly 38,000 students since its founding in 1999 through direct-service programs in Baltimore, the Bay Area, Chicago, and New York City, and through our partnerships with local non-profit organizations that implement the iMentor model in communities across the country
