News
Manhattanville Receives Grant from Goldman Sachs
7.13.07
Manhattanville College has recently received a $150,000 grant from the Goldman Sachs Foundation. The grant is in support of the College’s MPALS (Manhattanville Promotes Academics and Life-Long Success) program, and as stated in the awards letter: “will be used to prepare talented students from underrepresented backgrounds for admission into selective colleges and universities.”
The MPALS program targets highly motivated students in seventh through twelfth grade, and helps them develop skills to become well rounded leaders in a diverse world. Students must be in the top 20% of their class, from modest income families, and attend school in Westchester County. This year students have come to Manhattanville from schools in Bedford, White Plains, New Rochelle, Mamaroneck, Port Chester, Ossining and Tarrytown.
James Finger is the director of MPALS at Manhattanville. When asked about the application process for students interested in MPALS, he said: “Teachers identify qualified students in the seventh grade and they submit their information to MPALS. A representative then speaks with the student and their school counselor. Applicants must also submit a writing sample. If the student is accepted into the program they will attend their first MPALS program at Manhattanville in the summer before 8th grade. They take a variety of classes such as psychology, math, science, and theater. They will also attend MPALS classes on 10 or 12 Saturdays during the school year.”
In addition to academics, students also participate in various activities. This year students have visited Columbia University, the Apollo Theater, Yale University, Wesleyan University, the Museum of Modern Art, and have gone ice skating at Rockefeller Center. They also had a week-long sleepover in the campus dorms.
Students also are matched with mentors from various businesses in the community. For example, if a student has an interest in architecture, MPALS will put in a request for a volunteer in that profession to come and speak with that student. MPALS is always looking for volunteer mentors. If you are interested, please contact James Finger in the Special Programs office at 914-323-5368.