KeyBank Foundation Grants Kent State University $200,000 to Help Continue Education Initiative for Underserved Students

The KeyBank Foundation has announced it has granted Kent State University $200,000 to continue its Key Connections program offered by the university to support student success initiatives for underserved students, including first-generation students and students from limited income backgrounds.

Kent State University said the grant will be used to provide funding to support professional development, including internships and conference participation, research support and other student success initiatives. Summer Advantage Bootcamp, the first opportunity for students to participate this summer, is a residential experience designed to give incoming students an impactful early college student experience. Students who enroll in the bootcamp will have access to campus resources, staff and services to prepare them for future careers. The summer experience includes academic support, service learning, and professional and personal development workshops.

“The KeyBank Foundation is proud to partner with the Kent State University Foundation to help the Key Connections program grow,” said Eric Dellapina, market president and commercial sales leader for KeyBank in East Ohio. “We are committed to helping local students and families thrive by providing financial assistance to help them reach their goals. This investment will help ensure a bright future for many Kent State students and build strong communities in our region for years to come.”

This grant follows an initial $1 million gift made by the KeyBank Foundation in 2017 that created the original Key Connections initiative. Four-year graduation rates for the inaugural group of students were 15% higher than the previous four-year graduation rate of underserved students.

“I am honored that KeyBank Foundation is committed to partnering with Kent State through University College once again to remove financial, personal and academic barriers for our students,” said Eboni Pringle, Ph.D., dean of University College at Kent State. “Our initial partnership led to substantial gains in student persistence and graduation, and we look forward to continuing this trajectory with its newest investment.”

“Receiving the Key Connections scholarship helped my family from being stressed about me continuing my education, and the scholarship helped cover my tuition balance and course supplies for two semesters,” said Jordan Pickrum, an applied engineering major in Kent State’s College of Aeronautics and Engineering. “From the bottom of my heart, thank you.”

Read more about KeyBank’s investment in Kent State:

KeyBank Foundation donates $200,000 to Kent State | Crain’s Cleveland Business

Kent State and KeyBank Foundation to Continue Key Connections Program for Underserved Students | Kent Campus News