What Happens Here Matters
M-PALS: Paving the Way to College
A recent survey found that Westchester County students from families with modest incomes, especially African-Americans and Latinos, were dramatically under-represented in high school honors and advanced placement (AP) classes. This puts them at a disadvantage when it comes time to apply to colleges and universities.
Through the Manhattanville Promotes Academics and Life-Long Success (M-PALS) program, Manhattanville College is providing promising minority and other economically challenged students with access to many of the same academic opportunities and supports that are available to more affluent children. These include academic enrichment, internships, summer jobs, and college guidance.
M-PALS targets highly motivated students in 7th through 12th grades who are in the top 20% of their class, and whose families meet the income qualifications. This year, students from schools in Bedford, White Plains, New Rochelle, Mamaroneck, Port Chester, Ossining, and Tarrytown are participating in the program, which involves a five-week summer session and weekends on campus during the school year. According to M-PALS Director James Finger, “We offer classes in math, science, English/writing, photo-journalism, art, social studies, and theater. The goal is to make the students successful and well-rounded, as the focus is always on preparing them for college and beyond.”
M-PALS students are also matched with mentors from various businesses in the community. For example, if a student has an interest in architecture, M-PALS will put in a request for a volunteer in that profession to come and speak with that student. The program is funded in part by the Goldman Sachs Foundation, which for the second year in a row awarded Manhattanville College a $150,000 grant to help the program achieve its important objectives.
From Manhattanville Magazine
Thumbnail Photo: Students from the M-PALS program with Director James Finger.
Banner Photo: Reid Castle at Manhattanville College