Today, The Kaplan Educational Foundation (KEF), a nonprofit that helps high-potential, low-income students with academic and financial support, welcomes 12 new scholars into its Kaplan Leadership Program (KLP).
Established in 2006, the Kaplan Leadership Program helps overlooked and underserved community college students complete their associate degree and successfully transfer and go on to earn a four-year bachelor’s degree at the nation’s most highly-selective schools. The program provides stipends for living expenses, extensive tutoring, academic advisement services, leadership and career training, and other resources and support to help them expand their personal goals, and eventually attain leadership roles in their professions and communities.
Among the 12 scholars selected for the Kaplan Educational Foundation’s 2026-2027 cohort is Arrin Shepp, a Bronx resident and Bronx Community College student. A first-generation college student, Shepp was inspired by the underrepresentation of Black students in STEM fields to pursue advanced study in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity, with a mission to increase representation in STEM and create lasting technological impact.
The newly accepted Kaplan Leadership Program Scholars for the 2026-2027 Academic Year are:
- Alan Grisales – Hudson County Community College;
- Alexis Silveira-Plaza – Borough of Manhattan Community College;
- Arielle Blair – LaGuardia Community College;
- Briseyda Rios – Borough of Manhattan Community College;
- Carlyne Torres – Kingsborough Community College;
- Daelani Quezada – Westchester Community College;
- Leandro Batista – UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ;
- Nicolas Neillands – Hudson County Community College;
- Valeriia Gordienko – Borough of Manhattan Community College;
- Vasya Turchin – Borough of Manhattan Community College;
- Arrin Shepp – Bronx Community College;
- Mekhi Patterson – Borough of Manhattan Community College.
Since KEF’s inception, Kaplan Leadership Scholars have been accepted to the country’s most competitive schools, including Yale, Stanford, Princeton, Brown, Amherst, Smith and many others. 93% percent of Kaplan Leadership Scholars earn a bachelor’s degree. In stark contrast, data from the Community College Research Center at Teachers College, Columbia University shows that while 80 percent of community college students dream of transferring to a four-year school, only 16 percent actually earn a bachelor’s degree – and only 11% who come from low-income families.
“Choosing this group was incredibly hard, but that’s a good problem to have, as it speaks to the talent and potential in the community college student population. Our students earn strong grades while holding leadership positions, carrying jobs and family responsibilities, and a full course load,” says Nolvia Delgado, Executive Director of KEF.
“Our program is designed to address the fact that while talent can be found everywhere, opportunity is not. Today, KLP alumni are practicing law and medicine, conducting scientific research, working in business, education and engineering, and leading in government, and public and private industries. We are thrilled to welcome a new cohort of talented, motivated individuals who will continue our record of breaking barriers and making an impact.”
Kaplan Educational Foundation (KEF) Key Facts:
● Mission: Kaplan Educational Foundation’s mission is to eliminate barriers to higher education for high-potential, low-income community college students.
● Bachelor’s Degree Attainment Rate: 93% of Kaplan Leadership Program Scholars attain a bachelor’s degree vs. a national average of 16% of community college students (and only 11% of low-income students).
● Top Transfer Destinations: Yale, Brown, Princeton, Amherst, Columbia, Smith.
● Kaplan Leadership Program Alumni: 170+ high-potential leaders across business, law, medicine, education, public policy, engineering, and other sectors.
About The Kaplan Educational Foundation
The Kaplan Educational Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity, was initially established and supported by a generous endowment funded by Kaplan, Inc. executives with the idea of helping a small group of students in a big way. The Foundation provides high-potential, low-income students with academic and financial support and leadership training to raise their expectations for success and open doors to opportunities that will change their lives and communities. For more information, please visit kaplanedfoundation.org.
Featured image credit: DepositPhotos.com
