Our Urban Scholars Initiative (USI), launched in 2013, is graduating its first student, Natalia Rosa.
She graduated magna cum laude and earned the Edith Lesley Wolfard Award, an honor given to a graduating senior who exhibits a commitment to lifelong learning, professional excellence, and the promise of a future best exemplifying Lesley's ideals.
Rosa, an English major, joined the program in her sophomore year. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences' newsletter, “News from 29 Mellen,” published her story in her own words, as she reflected on her time at Lesley while preparing for the university’s May 21 Commencement.
“At first I wasn’t sure what it really meant to be part of USI,” Rosa wrote. “I knew that it would be a great financial help throughout my years at Lesley, but later I came to realize that that was just the first of many advantages.”
Urban Scholars like Rosa are recommended by one of Lesley’s 15 nonprofit community partners. If they meet the university’s admissions criteria, they are admitted to Lesley and are provided with a 50 percent tuition scholarship, which follows them for four years as long as they maintain the academic standards set by the program. In this way, the program supports young people with a vision of a better life for themselves and their families.
But USI doesn’t stop at covering half of the tuition. In addition, a full-time program director serves as an adviser to the USI students, who participate in monthly success workshops. Along with the support of the director, students are assigned a peer mentor from USI to support them through their first-year transition. The customized support these students receive boosts their academic and personal confidence, helping Urban Scholars integrate fully into the university community and assume leadership roles.
“What makes USI unique is the fact that it goes beyond the financial support,” Rosa wrote. “After all, I came to realize that tuition alone isn’t enough to help make a student successful.”
USI Director Maritsa Barros praises Rosa's drive and work ethic.
"Natalia has raised the bar and set the tone for what it means to be an Urban Scholar," Barros says. "I could not be more proud to have her represent as the first graduate of USI. She is not only an amazing student and community leader she is an inspiring role model for all future graduates."
According to Rosa, the things that differentiate USI from other scholarships are the mentor relationships, monthly seminars and advisory sessions.
“USI has enabled students to build their confidence, impact the Lesley community and take charge in shaping their college experience,” Rosa wrote. “To me, USI is a community of friends who’ve become family.”