News Release
Donnelly College has been named as one of 47 recipients nationwide that will share in nearly $10 million from the AT&T* Aspire local impact initiative designed to assist organizations dedicated to addressing the nation’s high school dropout crisis.
With more than 1 million students impacted since its launch in 2008, the AT&T Aspire program is one of the largest corporate commitments focused on helping more students graduate from high school ready for college and careers.
AT&T announced an additional $250 million expansion to the program earlier this year, bringing the total commitment to $350 million.
Educators in schools and non-profits across the country have a unique understanding of the challenges students face in their communities.
Through a competitive process, 47 schools and non-profits, including Donnelly College, were selected from thousands nationwide. To learn more about all of the organizations that were selected, please visit www.att.com/local-impact.
“AT&T is extraordinarily proud to support the great work of Donnelly College,” said AT&T Kansas President Steve Hahn. “It will take all of us working together and supporting the hard work of the education community to continue to improve graduation rates and preparedness for college and careers. Not just AT&T, but all of American business has an enormous stake in the success of our students. It’s time to commit more innovation and resources to the task.”
AT&T Aspire applicants were evaluated based on their accomplishments in serving students at risk of dropping out of high-school and their ability to use data to demonstrate the effectiveness of their work.
After a rigorous and competitive process, Donnelly College was identified as an institution that makes a measurable difference in its community.
Donnelly provides student mentors as part of a College Readiness program that helps at-risk students at two nearby urban high schools prepare for college.
The program is designed to motivate students – the majority of whom are first-generation college-goers – to enroll in classes and participate in extra-curricular activities that set the stage for college success.
In addition, students learn about financing their education and talking to their parents about their goals.
“Donnelly’s mission to provide affordable, private higher education is even more critical today than when we were founded. Today, educational attainment and equality are two of the most pressing issues facing our society at large,” said Steve LaNasa, PhD, president of Donnelly College. “This is what propels Donnelly to continue expanding our academic programs and support services to make sure students from all backgrounds have access to the education they deserve. Our College Readiness program is a perfect example of that. Because we have been an anchor in urban Kansas City, Kansas for 60 years, we are uniquely adept at this work.
Donnelly College, located in urban Kansas City, Kansas, is a private, liberal arts college sponsored by the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.
Founded in 1949, Donnelly strives to make Catholic higher education accessible to everyone, especially first-generation college students, and is recognized as one of the most affordable private colleges in the U.S.
Donnelly’s strong general education curriculum and career-oriented majors lead students toward bachelor and associate degrees and certificates.
“I was fortunate to serve as a college mentor to the freshman class at Harmon High School, where I graduated,” said Araceli Zamora, a Donnelly College student who participated in the College Readiness program in 2011-12. “It was a wonderful experience for me – and for the students, too. I got to share my experiences and answer lots of questions about college and how to prepare. I waited a full year to start college and was very nervous about enrolling. I knew many high school students who dropped out so I was so glad to share some of my experiences to help them. I wish I had that opportunity when I was in their shoes!”
