Pitt received a grant renewal for its Kessler Scholars program

The University of Pittsburgh has received a $1.1 million grant renewal from the Kessler Scholars Collaborative to extend its work supporting first-generation college students.

The four-year extension grant will bolster Pitt’s ongoing efforts to support first-generation, limited-income students through graduation, said April Belback, associate vice provost for student success and advising.

“At the University of Pittsburgh, the Kessler Scholars Program was the impetus for us to launch many of the institutional student success initiatives that we have in place today, such as the Student Success Hub,” Belback said. “Without the generous support of this program, we would not be able to cultivate and scale our first-generation student success efforts to such capacity — we are thrilled to have the opportunity to continue this great work.”

Pitt is one of 16 institutions participating in the national Kessler Scholars Program, funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Judy and Fred Wilpon Family Foundation. Since joining the collaborative in 2021, Pitt has offered financial support, academic advising, mentorship and community programming to cohorts of first-generation undergraduates, helping them navigate college life and prepare for life after graduation.

These students will join a growing network of Kessler Scholars alumni across the U.S. who are pursuing internships, research opportunities and graduate education.

The 2025 cohort is:

• Mia Artz of Spring Glen, Pennsylvania
• Laryn Boyd of Parkville, Maryland
• Heather Helwick of Pittsburgh
• Kelsey Hill of Coraopolis, Pennsylvania
• Talyn Hollingsworth of Charlotte, North Carolina
• Brayden Lindstrom of Minooka, Illinois
• Eman Marai of Lebanon, Pennsylvania
• Diana Munoz-Lopez of West Chester, Pennsylvania
• Brooke Natter of Dingmans Ferry, Pennsylvania
• Akriti Neupane of Lancaster, Pennsylvania
• Cratin Quinnelly of Corinth, Mississippi
• Ty Regan of Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania
• Daniella Reyes of Corona, New York
• Olivia Romero of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania
• Sarah Salem of Lansdale, Pennsylvania
• Bliss Terceira of Baltimore
• Omega Wade of Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania
• Karlee Warren of Youngwood, Pennsylvania
• Micah Weaver of Pittsburgh
• Makayla Williams of Wilmington, North Carolina

Learn more about the Kessler Scholars Program at Pitt.