Young Scholars Program recognized for improving college access for Ohioans

Young Scholars Program recognized for improving college access for Ohioans

YSP is a comprehensive pre-collegiate and collegiate student success initiative

The Ohio State University's Young Scholars Program (YSP)recently received statewide recognition for its impactful work in improving college access for first-generation college students in Ohio.

Chila Thomas, YSP executive director, accepted the award on behalf of Ohio State during the Ohio Women's Leadership Summit on July 13 in Cincinnati.

"It is an honor to serve Ohio and The Ohio State University community through the Young Scholars Program," said Thomas. "Leading a team of esteemed colleagues with which many of us share the experiences of the students we serve brings my team immense pleasure to partner with and guide students to support college access and success."

Founded in 1988, YSP is a comprehensive pre-collegiate and collegiate student success initiative offering academically talented, first-generation students with high financial need the opportunity to enhance their academic, personal and career development. YSP serves students from Ohio's nine largest public school districts: Akron, Canton, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Lorain, Toledo and Youngstown.

Connecting multiple levels of education, each year YSP assists over 1,000 students statewide, including 700 students in grades 8-12 and 350 undergraduate students, serving as a stepping stone for success at Ohio State and beyond.

"The Ohio State University is a land-grant institution with a long and proud tradition of educating all Ohioans," said Yolanda Zepeda, interim vice provost for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. "The Young Scholars Program is an embodiment of that mission to bring education to Ohioans from every corner of the state and walk of life. We are extremely proud of the role that we play in helping Young Scholars achieve their educational dreams and become leaders in their communities and in their professions."

YSP serves pre-collegiate students in grades 9-12 by providing year-round college counseling and programming to enhance college preparation and readiness in partnership with school district administrators and staff, Ohio State faculty, staff, students and alumni, and community partners.

YSP undergraduate programs assist Young Scholars in reaching their full potential and achieving their academic and career goals through personal, professional and leadership development. Undergraduate Students Success Programs begin with a summer early arrival program, followed by academic year programming, including an academic bridge program, holistic success coaching, peer mentoring, study skills enrichment, first-year seminar courses and scholarship support services.

To be eligible, scholars must complete a rigorous college preparatory curriculum and demonstrate high academic achievement. Scholars in good academic standing receive a robust financial aid package from Ohio State, which includes federal and state grants, work-study and the Young Scholars Award.

In addition to Thomas and Zepeda, Ohio State was represented at the conference by Wendy G. Smooth, senior vice provost for inclusive excellence and Ange-Marie Hancock, executive director of the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity.

"This award is a wonderful acknowledgment of the Young Scholars Program's transformative impact on students across Ohio," said Smooth. "We are deeply honored by this recognition and are committed to continuing our work to empower first-generation students, providing them the tools and opportunities to succeed academically and lead in their communities."

The Ohio Women's Leadership Summit is an annual nonpartisan, nonpolitical event hosted by U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown. YSP's award recognizes individuals or organizations that uplift Ohio women and serve their communities.

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