FROM THE TRUSTEES
We are happy to share this Renaissance Scholars Program update for 2021-2022, our seventeenth year in operation
Continued upgrading of our program management team has enabled controlled growth and the development of a scalable platform. Our volunteer community, which performs the vital task of reviewing applications, now numbers 39 and continues to grow. Thanks to our staff and volunteers we can increase the number of students we serve while maintaining program quality
Seventeen years ago, and early into our Trusteeship of The Renaissance Foundation, we started the scholarship program for first-in-family college students with financial need, with eight students at Portland State University. With the invaluable help of Diana Hoff, the Foundation's administrative officer, we got to know them, learned their stories, and followed them through the trials and ultimate successes of their college careers They were a revelation to us! Everything else sort of followed, as we moved more and more of our attention and resources to this program, so close to our hearts.
As you read the update, you shall see that the 2022-2023 enrolled scholars numbers over 880 students 110 times the number of that first group!
We are so proud of our scholars, and so grateful to our team of Callie, Charlotte, Katie, and of course Diana, our wonderful volunteers and our many partners.
Regards,
Stephanie Fowler Irving Levin
Stephanie Fowler Irving Levin Trustees
THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
THE SCHOLARSHIP
The scholarship provides a maximum of $4,000 a year towards tuition and fees, housing, books and supplies, depending on each student’s individual financial need The award may be used at any accredited, four-year college in the United States.
The scholarship is renewable for up to four years. Scholars are eligible for renewal if they maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA, have continued financial need, and are enrolled full-time
PARTNERSHIPS
RSP works closely with several mentoring organizations in Oregon and Chicago to ensure that scholars are supported beyond the scholarship funds they receive from the program.
BEHIND THE SCENES
RSP is outcome-focused We carefully collect and analyze data and scholar feedback to refine the program The program also has a dedicated team of volunteers that help select each new cohort
OUR SCHOLARS
All scholars must meet rigorous standards: Will be first in their family to earn a bachelor's degree
3.0 GPA or higher High financial need Currently residing in Oregon or Illinois (or planning to attend a partner HBCU) Demonstrated strength of character and strong work ethic
SCHOLAR SUPPORT
RSP's first priority is encouraging scholars to connect with resources at their college. However, we do provide a few RSP-specific resources. These include our online resource library, seasonal resource newsletter, virtual career panels featuring RSP alumni, and a few inperson social gatherings per year where scholars can meet one another, the Trustees, and RSP staff
CURRENT SCHOLARS
MOST-ATTENDED COLLEGES
Portland State University 116 enrolled scholars
University of Oregon 98 enrolled scholars
Oregon State University 67 enrolled scholars
University of Illinois- Urbana Champaign 46 enrolled scholars
University of Portland 34 enrolled scholars
Renaissance Scholars attend 179 unique colleges in 36 states.
$3.2M SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT IN 2022
882 ENROLLED SCHOLARS* 85% SCHOLARS OF COLOR
MOST
COMMON MAJORS
Biology
Nursing
Computer
Science
Psychology
Business
SCHOLARS SOURCED FROM
*"Enrolled scholars" includes all scholars in school (842), at community college (26), or on temporary academic break (14), including the new cohort of 2022-23
**Initially, our scholars were sourced through Oregon- and Chicago-based mentoring programs, and partner colleges Over the years, that has expanded to include students in Oregon and Illinois unaffiliated with those programs as well In 2021 as a test, we considered applicants from any state. The "Other" category includes the accepted scholars from this pool. (Without these scholars from outside our two initial states, the "Other" category would be 1% ) We ended this test after 2021 for new applicants and returned to our traditional applicant restrictions, but will continue to support those selected throughout their college careers, and will analyze results to reconsider our criteria in the future
3
IMPACT TO DATE
1,270 SCHOLARS SUPPORTED 87% 6-YEAR GRADUATION RATE
A NOTE ON GRADUATION
331 RENAISSANCE GRADUATES
$10.1M INVESTED IN SCHOLARSHIPS
Including those students who took more than six years to graduate, the "all-time" graduation rate is 89%.
Though not captured in the graduation rate, RSP also considers the possibility that some scholars from the early years of the program who stopped out later went back and completed their degrees. According to The Pell Institute, the national average graduation rate for first-generation, low-income students is 21%. We are especially proud of our scholars' success in the face of this enduring disadvantage
ENRICHMENT PROGRAMMING
VIRTUAL CAREER PANELS
This spring, we hosted two virtual career panels: Finding Your First Job After Graduation Beginning a Career in Healthcare
All panelists were RSP alumni who were able to share their experience and advice with current scholars
IN-PERSON SOCIAL EVENTS
This fall, we hosted our first in-person events since 2019 The RSP team traveled to Chicago, where we held a social event for Chicago-based scholars A few weeks later, we hosted a brunch event in Portland for Oregon-based scholars
Each year, we survey RSP alumni to learn more about their college experience We have consistently heard that they wish they had more support in academic success, financial wellness, career development, and finding mentors. This year, we are proud to offer several new resources to address these interests.
ONLINE RESOURCE LIBRARY
The Resource Library is a hub of information where current scholars can find external and RSPcreated resources in four categories: Academics 1 Finances2. Career and Mentorship 3. Personal Development 4.
RESOURCE NEWSLETTER
Each quarterly newsletter contains upcoming deadlines, events, and resources which vary depending on scholars' grade level The newsletter works in tandem with the Resource Library, directing scholars to relevant information.
PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS
In 2005, the Renaissance Scholars Program was founded in partnership with Portland State University. Since then we have expanded, partnering with other organizations that promote college access and success In 2018, our expansion to Chicago was made possible by partnerships with Chicago Scholars, Cristo Rey Network, and College Possible
Throughout the year, we work with our partners to support student progress on the scholarship application We know that the support scholars receive from their mentors in addition to the scholarship funding they receive from us work together to support them on their path to a bachelor's degree
163 enrolledscholars
116 enrolledscholars
38 enrolledscholars
HBCU PROGRAM
102 enrolledscholars
37 enrolledscholars
74 enrolledscholars
27 enrolledscholars
In 2020, in an effort to support more Black students with scholarships, RSP established partnerships with two Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), North Carolina Central University and Stillman College. In 2021, we added a new HBCU partner, Elizabeth City State University. We have started small in this program to learn about particular needs, staff support, and scholar performance at these institutions, with the hope that we can scale our HBCU program.
ELIZABETH CITY STATE UNIVERSITY
Elizabeth City, NC | 2,003 undergrads
8 enrolled scholars
NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY
Durham, NC | 5,476 undergrads
8 enrolled scholars
STILLMAN COLLEGE
Tuscaloosa, AL | 699 undergrads
10 enrolled scholars
THE VOLUNTEER COMMITTEE
The volunteer selection committee has always been an essential part of the Renaissance Scholars Program In the beginning, our volunteers were primarily staff of founding partner, Portland State University As the program has grown and diversified, so has our selection committee
Every year, new volunteers are trained to score applications and interview prospective scholars and returning volunteers participate in a training "refresher" to be updated on application improvements Each application is read and scored by three different committee members to ensure a fair average score. Finalis
Many volunteers serve with us year after year. They come from a variety of different professional backgrounds, including many current and former educators. This season, we are especially proud to share that nearly half of our volunteers were alumni of the Renaissance Scholars Program.
39 TOTAL VOLUNTEERS
18 RSP ALUMNI VOLUNTEERS
ALUMNI FEATURE
NICOLE YIP
is a Renaissance Scholars alumnus and current volunteer on the RSP selection committee She attended Portland Community College with the support of Future Connect, a Renaissance partner program. Nicole obtained her bachelor’s in international studies at Pacific University. After graduating in 2018, Nicole received a prestigious Fulbright Scholarship to teach English in Panama and completed her master’s degree through Florida State University. This winter, Nicole moved to Austin, Texas to work as a Global Intelligence Analyst
Why did you decide to attend college?
It’s kind of a long story, but I never planned to go to college as a kid. I grew up with a single mother who was a refugee from Cambodia, so education was never her priority. She wasn't able to finish college, though she did complete some coursework. I grew up hearing constantly that we will never be able to pay or contribute to your college fund. I also grew up in a poor, marginalized part of Portland, where I was surrounded by illicit activity and temptations that veered me away from focusing on school I had low resources and just a lack of role models who had a higher education, so it just was never a priority of mine
I never thought college was available for people like me, but I learned that’s not true College is for everybody, and it's especially for people like me Actually, I wish that more opportunities were available to people with similar backgrounds as me. I basically dropped out of high school because I didn't do well in school. Then, I enrolled in a 'second chance' program called Gateway to College, which completely changed my life.
I did a complete 180 as a person. I entered the program which allowed me to begin in a community college, receive credits towards my high school diploma, and I just hit the ground running I've been in honors ever since and I realized slowly but surely that college and academics are a huge part of my life and something that I greatly value
How was your experience at Pacific University?
My experience at Pacific was so rewarding, academically. It really exceeded any kind of academic standard I had set for myself. It challenged me and I was determined to continue to make it on honor roll, so I worked really hard! It was very academically challenging, but so rewarding because of that. The social aspect was also amazing I met so many people from all over the world that I'm still in touch with Though, it was only two years so I don't think I had the same experience as the traditional college student, but it was amazing
Nicole in Buenos Aires, Argentina, 2018
Ineverypossibleway,lookingbacknow,Irealizethat.Ihadno comprehensiontofullybeabletograspwhatanimpedimentthatwas untilnowthatI'vemetpeoplewhohavehadthoseresourcesgrowing up Therearesomanybarriersthatpeoplewouldoverlook,like tutoringfortheSATortheGRE ThosearethingsthatIhadtopayfor out-of-pocketorIdidn'tevengetbecauseitwassoexpensive Other financialbarriers,likebeingabletopaytopayrentonyourown, presentamassivebarriertopursuinganeducationforfirstgenerationstudents
Also,notknowinghowtonavigatethecollegesystemwasprobably thebiggestthing.Ididn'thaveanyadultinmylifethatknewhowto navigatethecollegesystem,fromapplyingforactualschools,to attendingcollege,andhowtokeeptrackofyourcreditsandwhatnot Idon'tthinkIwouldhavemadeitwithoutmycounselorsfrom GatewayorFutureConnect
WhydidyoudecidetovolunteerwithRenaissanceScholars?
ImadeapromisetomyselfwhenIwas17togiveback IrecognizeI wouldn'tbewhereIamandwouldn'thaveaccomplishedthingshad peoplenotshownmekindnessandvolunteeredtheirvaluabletime Myvolunteeringhasalwaysbeenrelatedtoat-riskyouthor youth/education,butIdidn'thavethetimeorresourcestogiveback inthewaysthatIcannow Renaissanceisgreatlyrewardingandit's taughtmealot It'snottoomuchofatimecommitment,butIfeel thatIstillhaveanimpact BeingaRenaissanceScholarmyself,Iknow howinvaluabletheorganizationisandwhatitdoesforitsstudents.
What surprised you the most about college?
I did not expect how much it would change my life and my perspective of the world and the people I met. It totally just opened my eyes to different realities and backgrounds and whatnot. Beyond that, it opened a multitude of doors for opportunities for my future, like Fulbright. My past careers and my career now all resulted from my background in higher education The thing that surprised me the most is how different my life is than I could have ever envisioned when I was younger
Read Nicole’s full interview, and learn about her experiences as a Fulbright Scholar at rscholars.org.
Howhasyourexperiencebeenonthescholarshipselectioncommittee?
AsapreviousRenaissanceScholar,I'vebeenabletocomefullcircleandIseewhereIwaspreviously Seeingotherstudents’uniquebackgroundsandwhattheywantedtogivetotheworldanddointheir livesisthecoolestthingever It’ssuperimpactfulformetohearthosestoriesandwhatpeopleintendto dowiththeirscholarship.
Nicole in Santiago, Chile, 2018
Nicole in Boquete, Panamá, 2021
LOOKING AHEAD
In 2024, the Renaissance Scholars Program expects to reach the exciting milestone of 1,000 enrolled scholars!
Achievement of this milestone fulfills a goal set years ago, and is the conservative estimate of sustainable scholar population based on the Foundation's funding capacity.
Each year, more of our scholars graduate and become Renaissance alumni As our alumni group grows, we are expanding opportunities to keep interested alums engaged as career panelists, scholarship committee volunteer readers, and attendees at scholar events.
GRADUATES
THE RENAISSANCE FOUNDATION
Irving Levin, Trustee
Stephanie Fowler, Trustee
Jonah Edelman, Advisor
Lizzie Levin, Advisor
OUR TEAM RENAISSANCE SCHOLARS PROGRAM
Callie Forrest, Scholarship Program Manager
Callie was hired to be the Foundation’s first Scholarship Program Manager in early 2020 She is focused on growing the number of scholars, developing and refining systems to support that growth, and building partnerships with mentoring organizations and colleges that support our scholars She has previously worked as a college access coach and virtual advising program coordinator at College Possible Callie earned her bachelor’s degree in human services from Oregon State University
Charlotte Crabtree, Special Projects Coordinator
Charlotte joined RSP in early 2022. As Special Projects Coordinator, she works on a variety of programs and projects to support scholars and alumni, which includes RSP social media content, career development events, and the scholar newsletter She has previously worked as a social studies teacher and AVID tutor Charlotte attended Portland State University, where she earned her bachelor's degree in history and master's degree in education
Diana Hoff, Director of Operations & Administration
Diana has served as the Director of Operations and Administration of The Renaissance Foundation since its inception. She worked closely with the Trustees to launch RSP, develop the operations, and manage the program through its first 15 years She continues to advise the RSP staff, as well as serve on the selection committee Diana was a first-generation college student at Boise State University and earned her degree in business administration
Katie Varness, Scholarship Program Coordinator
Katie took over the role of Scholarship Program Coordinator in summer 2022. Katie began her work in college access at College Possible, working as a virtual college advisor As Scholarship Program Coordinator, she manages the scholarship application and funds distribution processes and supports current scholars as well Katie graduated from Lewis & Clark College with bachelor's degrees in both psychology and political science.
