Students Earn Kaplan Educational Foundation Scholarship

August 21, 2019

Two Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC/CUNY) students have been named 2019 Kaplan Scholars by the Kaplan Educational Foundation. BMCC psychology major Christina Persona and engineering science major Abubakar Yussif, join the 21 other CUNY community college students selected for this year’s cohort. This is BMCC’s 13th year participating in the Kaplan Educational Foundation Scholarship program.

More than 60 percent of American jobs require a two-or-four-year college education according to Kaplan.  Numerous studies and statistics show that a college degree significantly improves employment prospects and earnings.

The Kaplan program helps underrepresented students complete associate degree programs, then transfer and earn bachelor’s degrees from the nation’s top four-year institutions. Kaplan Scholars receive a comprehensive array of financial and academic support, transfer admissions advising and leadership skills development.

Persona, from Queens, says after graduating from BMCC, she hopes to attend either the University of North Carolina, Syracuse University or Brown University. “After BMCC, my plan is to pursue a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in business,” said Persona.

Persona also says she hopes to earn a graduate degree and one day open a mental health clinic or start a charity.

Yussif, from Ghana, plans to major in civil engineering at either Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Brown University or Stanford. His ultimate goal is to build homes, schools and hospitals in underserved communities.

“I am now almost ready to transfer and winning the Kaplan Scholarship is exactly what I needed to support my hard work here at BMCC,” said Yussif, who in ten years sees himself building homes, schools and hospitals in underserved communities in Ghana.

BMCC has a long and productive relationship with the Kaplan Foundation.

“This is one of the few scholarships that begins while recipients are working towards their associate’s degree at BMCC, and the financial assistance and many other support continues after they transfer to a four-year college or university,” says Sussie Gyamfi, BMCC scholarship coordinator.

The success of Kaplan Scholars on the campuses of their four-year schools, has led to the development of strong partnerships with both the community colleges and the senior universities that seek out our Kaplan Scholars according to the Kaplan Foundation.

The Kaplan Educational Foundation says it envisions a world where a college education is universally attainable, and where our society’s leadership reflects the full diversity of our communities.   For more information on how to apply to be a Kaplan Scholar, visit the foundation website.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

  • Psychology major Christina Persona and Engineering and Science major Abubakar Yussif named scholars
  • Kaplan program envisions world where college education is attainable to everyone
  • Kaplan scholars receive financial and academic support

share this story »