MEET OUR ALUMNI IN NEWARK

KIPP Newark Collegiate Academy Class of 2019 alumnus Kamil Vickers is making an impact as a senior at Villanova University.

Vickers has demonstrated a knack for impact already. At Villanova, he serves as the Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the Student Government Association. “That experience has helped me learn how to facilitate dialogue between people who are coming to the table with different backgrounds and really bridge the gap for our minority students,” said Vickers, who will graduate this spring with a major in political science and a minor in Japanese.

This February, Vickers earned an invitation from the White House—Vice President Kamala Harris asked if he would join a group of young people for a conversation about mental health and the Black community.

A recent partnership with Cooper Hospital has introduced students like Yeslian Nieves to the healthcare field. Every Wednesday, Nieves heads to Cooper Hospital for five hours in the afternoon to visit with elderly patients, support patient transport, and organize medical supplies. “I hope to become a nurse or a therapist, and this program has helped me get my foot in the door and steer me towards healthcare,” said Nieves, whose goal is to attend the University of Pennsylvania, a school she visited last year with KHS and loved.

KIPP Forward Director Kenny Reyes says KHS is constantly seeking to expand opportunities for students. “Next year, we’re offering opportunities for students to dual enroll in career technical programs with Camden Community College, and there’s many new partnerships in the pipeline,” said Reyes. “We know our families really care that students find a pathway that leads to a strong career, and we’re here to provide that support to every student,” he added.

"To be invited to the White House was the most incredible moment of my life so far. V.P. Harris gave us the opportunity to come to the table and discuss how we can all improve mental health in our communities. It was inspiring to see the work being performed at the federal level," said Vickers.

Vickers’ KIPP Forward counselor is Freddie Santana, and the two met up this winter to watch their respective college teams play football at Villanova. (Santana is an alumnus of the College of the Holy Cross.) "Having someone from KIPP in my corner has been really reassuring, " said Vickers, whose longterm goal is to support youth, particularly those in communities like his home city of Newark.