Columbia is forming a partnership with St. Augustine all-male Catholic High School in New Orleans to offer full-tuition scholarships beginning the next academic year.
The scholarships will be offered to up to 10 graduating seniors, two per academic year, over five years at St. Augustine and will provide collegiate-level resources and experiences to rising juniors and seniors.
Emmanuel Lalande, senior vice president of Enrollment Strategy and Student Success, told the Chronicle that the new initiative, which Columbia is funding, allows the college to create pipelines in markets that they have not traditionally served in the past.
“This partnership is one of several, including others with Chicago Public Schools and the City Colleges of Chicago,” Lalande said in an email.
The idea for aligning the two schools came from Kimberly Wilson, an alum who graduated from Columbia in 2001 with a bachelor’s in marketing. She is a supporter of the New Orleans school.
Kayciblu Wright, vice president of Columbia’s Black Student Union, said the new partnership gives prospective Black students a “sense of hope.”
“I am really excited to see this happen for the next year’s students coming in,” she said.
The college cited the steady decline of male college enrollment in its decision to pursue the scholarship program with St. Augustine.
According to 2023 data from the Pew Research Center, male enrollment in college has been decreasing since 2011, when 47% of male high school graduates were enrolled. In 2023, 39% were enrolled.
“We are actively developing multiple partnerships throughout Chicagoland and beyond, and our commitment remains to expanding opportunity across a host of communities,” he said.
Michael Kowalkowski, vice president of finance for Student Government Association, said working closely with other high schools through scholarships can better impact student success and retention at the college.
Kowalkowski said the initiative will also provide a “richer experience” on Columbia’s campus.
“Sometimes, a little push, like scholarships, puts students in a mindset where they can truly thrive,” he said.
Wright said the partnership will bring more diversity to classrooms on campus — something she thinks is needed right now.
“I really think this is an amazing turnaround,” she said.
Copy edited by Mya De Jesus
