Villa Maria College is the recipient of a $40,000 grant from The Children’s Guild Foundation, Inc. The grant will provide scholarship funding for two incoming students who are enrolled in the College’s Achieve Program for Students with Learning Differences.
The Achieve Program is the only of its kind in Western New York. In addition to helping students adjust to the academic requirements expected of college students, it provides them with weekly tutoring sessions, career workshops, check-in meetings, assistive technology, and more.
“Because of the extensive additional academic and career support Achieve provides, there is an additional cost to students who elect to enroll,” said Mary Robinson, Villa Maria’s vice president for development. Despite our best efforts to make Achieve accessible the additional cost has been cited as a deterrent for some students who would truly benefit from the services provided by Achieve.”
“The generosity of The Children’s Guild Foundation will cover that cost for two students, making a college degree more accessible,” continued Robinson.
Each student will receive $5,000 per year, $2,500 per semester for a consecutive four-year period. This scholarship will cover the cost of the additional fee students pay to enroll into the Achieve Program.
Scholarship recipients were chosen by Laura Pietak, the director of Villa Maria’s Achieve Program for Students with Learning Differences.
The first Children’s Guild Foundation scholarship recipient is Kayla Barnwell.
Kayla is a digital filmmaking major who grew up in Buffalo. She was homeschooled her entire life; when she decided to pursue a college degree, she chose Villa Maria for its small size and advanced technology. As a student in the Achieve Program, Kayla benefits from the personalized tutoring services and additional assistance with her homework.
“From the first time I met Kayla I was excited to have her as part of the Achieve Program,” said Laura Pietak, director of the Achieve Program. “She brings new energy and excitement to Achieve, Villa, and the Digital Filmmaking program and I cannot wait to see her thrive during her time here!”
Braeden Thoms was also selected as a recipient of the Children’s Guild Foundation scholarship.
A graduate of Ken-Ton’s Big Picture Program, Braeden is now an animation major at Villa Maria. He chose the College because it felt like home right away and he was excited about the animation program. The Achieve Program helps Braden by helping him to stay on top of his course schedule and assignments and by helping him overcome his academic struggles.
“I have already learned so much from Braeden about what his goals are after graduation,” said Pietak. “He expressed an interest in travel and living abroad once he completes his Animation degree. By utilizing the Achieve Program he will receive academic and career support to help meet those goals.”
To maintain eligibility for the Children’s Guild Foundation scholarship, Kayla and Braeden must attend 85% of their Achieve sessions, earn a cumulative grade point average of a 2.5 each semester, and attend a donor reception annually.
“The support we have received from the Children’s Guild Foundation makes it possible to keep accessibility to higher education among our top priorities,” concluded Robinson. “It makes it possible for more students to meet their academic goals and get the education they deserve.”
