AT&T Connecticut Supports Wesleyan’s Program for Student College Success

Olivia DrakeOctober 22, 20124min
High school students assisted by the Wesleyan's Program for Student College Success gathered on the steps of Usdan University Center Oct. 12 where they received a visit from State Senator Paul Doyle and AT&T Connecticut representative Abby Jewett.
High school students assisted by the Wesleyan’s Program for Student College Success gathered on the steps of Usdan University Center Oct. 12 where they received a visit from State Senator Paul Doyle and AT&T Connecticut representative Abby Jewett.

Wesleyan’s Program for Student College Success received a $10,000 award from AT&T Connecticut on Oct. 12. State Senator Paul Doyle was on hand to celebrate the announcement.

This program replaces the former Upward Bound program, which lost its federal funding this year for the first time in 45 years.

Wesleyan’s Program for College Success is a comprehensive program that supports first-generation, low-income and underrepresented students as they move through high school and into college. The program serves 100 high school students (25 in each class), helping them to make a successful transition to college. Led by a director and operated by college students and recent graduates, the program consists of a four-week summer session and 40 weeks of programming throughout the academic year. Wesleyan students will offer tutoring and other academic support as needed.

“Everyone involved in the program would like to thank AT&T Connecticut for this generous contribution,” said Sonia Manjon, vice president for Institutional Partnerships. “This donation will help us move students with great potential toward a brighter future. The program really opens up the world for our students.”

AT&T Connecticut’s support will help the students successfully transition into college.

“Wesleyan’s Program for Student College Success fulfills a need by helping secure a future for deserving students in our community” said State Senator Paul Doyle (Dem-9), ”I appreciate AT&T’s support of the program. Partnerships like this are vitally important to the future of our young people. ”

Other local donors include Middlesex United Way, the Middletown, Portland and Meriden board of education, the Middletown Youth Service Bureu, 3M Company and Middle Oak Insurance.

The Program for College Success was featured in the Oct. 15 Middletown Press and the Oct. 16 Hartford Courant.