Kessler Scholars Program Boosts First-Gen Graduation Rates
An external evaluation shows first-generation students in the Kessler Scholars Collaborative graduate at significantly higher rates than their peers, with
First-generation students in the Kessler Scholars Program are earning bachelor's degrees at a much faster rate than their peers. According to an external evaluation by Ithaka S+R, 74 percent of Kessler Scholars who entered the program's six inaugural institutions in fall 2020 graduated within four years.
That figure compares to an average of 59 percent for all first-generation students at those same universities. By the end of summer 2025, 84 percent of that initial Kessler cohort had earned a degree. The data was reported by Inside Higher Ed.
Program Expansion and Core Model
The Kessler Scholars Collaborative formed in 2020 to support programs at six founding schools, including the University of Michigan where the first program began in 2008. In 2022, ten more institutions joined through a partnership with the American Talent Initiative. Backed by Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Wilpon Family Foundation, the program serves first-generation, limited-income students with more than just financial aid.
It provides community, mentoring, and individualized guidance. Nearly 1,200 students participated in the 2025-26 academic year, with nearly 1,500 expected this fall, including 392 new scholars.
Gail Gibson, the program's executive director, said a key metric is whether students outperform first-generation peers on their own campuses, not only national averages. "We're trying to make the case that 'Yes, you are talented and smart, and we want you in these institutions, but we don't want you to crawl through and finish without the same sort of rich experiences that your peers have,'" Gibson said.
Access to High-Impact Experiences
The program specifically aims to unlock what Gibson calls the 'hidden curriculum' of higher education and the workplace. An evaluation survey of graduating seniors at the six inaugural institutions found high participation in activities linked to post-graduate success.
Among those surveyed, 81 percent took part in at least one high-impact experience. The breakdown is shown in the table below.
| Experience Type | Participation Rate |
|---|---|
| Internship | 59 percent |
| Faculty-mentored research | 49 percent |
| Study abroad | 40 percent |
Nick Watson of Bloomberg Philanthropies highlighted the community component as critical. "Being a first-gen and limited-income student and having someone who's gone through the experience to then tell you 'Actually you do belong' and build connection-it's part of the secret sauce here," Watson stated.
Institutional Adaptation and Outcomes
The collaborative now includes 16 diverse institutions, from Ivy League Brown University to smaller Centre College. While core supports like peer mentoring and dedicated staff are required, campuses adapt the model to their context.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill uses it to recruit rural students. Washington University in St. Louis focuses on persistence for first-generation STEM majors. Kessler Scholars at the founding schools had an average cumulative GPA of 3.40, compared to 3.12 for other first-generation students there. Ithaka S+R noted its comparisons are descriptive and don't account for pre-college differences.
Ongoing Challenges and Sector Lessons
The evaluation identified engagement as a continuing challenge. Only 55 percent of scholars met with program staff at least twice a semester, and 57 percent attended at least three Kessler events per semester. Additional data across all 16 institutions is expected in spring 2027.
For schools outside the collaborative, Watson suggests starting small rather than fully replicating the model. Gibson emphasizes the program's external evaluation is intended to offer guidance across higher education. Kessler Scholars from 14 institutions attended a First Gen Summit at Wellesley College last year.
