Bay Path University Receives $50,000 Grant for College-Readiness Bootcamp Program from the State

State Senator Eric Lesser of the First Hampden and Hampshire District, and State Representative Brian Ashe of the Second Hampden District presented Bay Path President Sandra Doran with a check for $50,000 at a press conference held on Friday, October 29. The funding is for Bay Path’s College-Readiness Bootcamp for Young Women to be launched in the spring.

“Even before the pandemic, getting ready for college was difficult,” said Senator Lesser. “When COVID-19 hit, many of the supports traditionally available for students preparing for college weren’t as accessible. There’s a gap in college readiness, access to support, and success in college, and I want to applaud Bay Path who has been a leader in preparing young people and in particular our young women. That’s what this College-Readiness Bootcamp is all about. We’re so proud and excited to see the inaugural class participate in this program.”

In 2013, Bay Path developed the groundbreaking Academic Learners and Leaders Initiative, or ALLI, to offer instruction in the areas of math, reading, and writing, as well as to provide strategies to navigate the college experience to first-year students entering Bay Path. This funding will now allow the University to build on this very successful initiative and offer the College-Readiness Bootcamp for Young Women.

"We are so grateful that Senator Lesser, with the support of Representative Ashe, has been able to secure $50,000 in funding for our Academic Learners and Leaders Initiative/College-Readiness Bootcamp for Young Women," states Bay Path University President Sandra J. Doran, J.D. "Because of their work, we can now enhance and expand our ongoing efforts to help young women throughout the Commonwealth with strategies to transition and persist in a college environment."

Many school districts, particularly in underserved areas, were adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Identified as “learning loss,” the months of educational instability compromised many high school students, undermining their skill set and confidence to navigate college. With this funding, Bay Path will address the needs of young women and help them succeed in college in a very personal and intentional way. In addition to being introduced to technology-enhanced learning, these young women will hone their skills in conflict resolution, critical thinking, team building, negotiation, self-advocacy, and information literacy, among others. Most importantly, this program offers a jump-start to University life for first-generation and low-income students, as well as students from otherwise underrepresented populations, who may need help making the transition from high school to college. Ultimately, these young women will enter a career of promise leading to personal or family financial stability, thus strengthening our communities.

More details on the program will be available in the coming months.