It was announced that the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is providing Say Yes Buffalo a $2.9 million grant to help launch the Buffalo College Success Network. This organization is comprised of representatives from Say Yes Buffalo, Buffalo Public Schools and the five local higher education institutions that admit the largest number of Buffalo students receiving tuition funding from Say Yes Buffalo; Buffalo State College, Medaille College, SUNY Erie, the University at Buffalo and Villa Maria College.
The 22-month grant aims to help Buffalo students make successful transitions from high school to college and ultimately complete a postsecondary certificate or degree. The goal is to increase retention rates among Say Yes college students by increasing case management for increasing case management at all Buffalo College Access Network institutes of higher education, establishing mental/behavioral health clinics on-campus at four institutions of higher education (SUNY Erie, Buffalo State College, Medaille College and Villa Maria College), coordinating data systems between high school and higher education partners, creating seamless curriculum for the transition from high school to college and evolving a peer mentor program.
This grant was made possible by the collaboration between Say Yes Buffalo, Buffalo Public Schools, Buffalo State College, Medaille College, SUNY Erie, the University at Buffalo and Villa Maria College.
Congratulations to Say Yes Buffalo and all members of the Buffalo College Success Network!