MANSFIELD, PA— Providing targeted and sustained support to low-income, first-generation college students is the focus of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Mansfield University and The Milton Hershey School signed on Wednesday, November 15.
“The intent of this agreement is to help Milton Hershey School graduates succeed here at Mansfield University and in their chosen careers,” MU interim President Scott Barton said. “By partnering together, we can offer these students assistance as they matriculate here and as they progress through their academic programs. We look forward to helping these students be successful.”
“We’re excited about developing relationships for first-generation, under represented populations,” Tanya Barton, Milton Hershey School vice president of Graduate Programs for Success said. “I think it’s important that the support we’ve offered at The Milton Hershey School continues after they graduate and Mansfield has agreed to be a partner in assisting our students with that successful transition. We’d like our students to be alumni of The Milton Hershey School and Mansfield.”
The MOU outlines responsibilities for Mansfield and The Milton Hershey School including information sharing with the goal of improving The Milton Hershey School student success and degree completion rates, access to admissions counselors, campus tours and participation in collaborative college and career days.
Students from The Milton Hershey School will also be provided with access to Mansfield’s TRiO Summer Bridge Program or the 101st Leadership Program, as well as other programs to assist them in the transition to college. Work study and campus employment opportunities will also be available.
Christina Fry, director of Education Relations and Field Experiences, has been named the MU liaison for the collaborative.