After moving from Ghana to New York City four years ago, Ada Comstock Scholar Bernice Agyeiwaa found herself in search of a community. Intending to attend a graduate program for nursing, she began taking classes at Bronx Community College.
Agyeiwaa’s motivation stems from her personal experience of receiving medical treatment in her youth and witnessing the tragic loss of a neighbor from malaria, due largely to a lack of quality healthcare access. Her ultimate goal is to establish a network of clinics offering primary and preventative care in rural areas on a global scale.
“I like helping people and any opportunity I get I want to make good use of,” said Agyeiwaa. “I got into Bronx Community College when COVID hit, so I didn’t get the feeling of a school community.”
Upon returning to the Bronx campus following the pandemic, Agyeiwaa became a peer mentor, a member of the student government and an active volunteer for health organizations.
Recognizing her dedication to her studies, Agyeiwaa’s academic advisor recommended her for a program to help further her studies — the Kaplan Educational Foundation (KEF). Following the application process, she was accepted as a student of the 16th cohort and gained the community she was searching for.
“I don’t have any family members here — I came here at the age of 18,” said Agyeiwaa. “I wanted people who were close by that I could rely on, and that was something that I found in Kaplan.”
Established in 2006, the Kaplan Leadership Program helps high-potential, low-income and underrepresented community college students complete their associate’s degree, successfully transfer and go on to earn a four-year bachelor’s degree at the nation’s most selective schools.
“This year’s cohort continues to represent the wide diversity that exists in U.S. community colleges, including non-traditional age students, recent immigrants, first-generation and ESL learners,” noted Nolvia Delgado, executive director of KEF. “We’re excited to continue to remove barriers and provide greater access to higher education for talented, motivated individuals.”
“As the recent affirmative action ruling will make it more challenging for selective colleges and universities to attract underrepresented students, the transformative work of KEF becomes more important and relevant than ever,” said Delgado. “We’re thrilled to celebrate the achievements of our students at this time, who continue to build on our scholars’ strong legacy of success.”
The foundation assisted with applications, college essays and financial aid for bachelor’s programs as Agyeiwaa finished her associate’s degree in dietetics and nutrition science.
“[Kaplan] sets you up for success,” explained Agyeiwaa. “They will push you to break through your limits, to not always stay in your comfort zone […] it helps you to do things you wouldn’t imagine yourself doing.”
Although she never thought of applying to Smith College, Agyeiwaa decided to submit an application at the recommendation of a peer.
“I wanted a place to call home — I already know someone who graduated from here who also was a Kaplan Scholar, and she had very good things to say about Smith,” said Agyeiwaa. “As much as I don’t like trying new things, I wanted an adventure. I was like ‘Okay, let me go to this small town and see what it offers me.’”
Agyeiwaa was accepted into the Ada Comstock program for non-traditionally aged students, where she intends to build her leadership skills and work towards a Ph.D. in nursing practice.
“I was worried about coming here as a non-traditional student […] I didn’t want to be missing out on things,” she said. “The Ada community helps me realize I’m not alone, and that we are in it together.”
“We can rely on each other — we are committed to helping each other,” said Agyeiwaa.
