With support from the KINSC, the new program launched by Chesick Scholars Liz Mari' 23, Finley Medina '23, and Tien Vu '23 provides structured peer mentorship to first-years who are from first-generation, low-income (FGLI) backgrounds or other minoritized communities.
Students who are first generation to college and students from low income backgrounds (FLI students) are essential members of Haverford’s community. While definitions of first generation and low income vary, some of the characteristics of Haverford’s first generation and/or low income students include:
- Students among the first in their families to attend a four-year college
- Students who have parents or guardians with some collegiate experience
- Students who are attending college with the expectation that graduating from Haverford will expand a student’s opportunities for socioeconomic mobility
- Students may have a parent who completed college but grew up with a parent or guardian who did not
Note that not all students who identify as first generation also identify as low income, and vice versa. FLI students’ stories, like all students’ stories, are complex and unique and allowing students to self-define is central.
The Chesick Scholars Program provides a welcoming community and a suite of workshops, seminars and experiences that have been especially designed for first-generation college students and/or students who come from low-income (FLI) backgrounds.
The staff of the Chesick Scholars Program, together with faculty and FLI Student Leaders, run a variety of programs, which include: First In (summer workshops for incoming first-year students), Summer Reading Groups (led by Haverford faculty), Horizons (a Pre-Customs residential experience), expanded faculty mentoring, monthly academic and social gatherings during the school year, and more.
The focus of all Chesick activities is to provide practical guidance for students to achieve their personal, academic and professional goals as part of a supportive community of fellow students, staff and faculty. All first-generation and/or low-income students are automatically Chesick Scholars, but students can pick and choose to commit to any (or all) of the program’s offerings. More details for each component of the Chesick Scholars Program can be found on this site.
The Chesick Scholars Program was originally funded in 2012 by a pilot grant from the San Francisco Foundation, and is currently supported by generous donations and grant recommendations made by alumni, parents, and friends of the College. Support Chesick and other programs helping students