New York, NY – June 11, 2014 – Yesterday, Khan Foundation (KF), a not-for-profit organization serving low income and undocumented youth hosted a celebration for their first cohort of College Access Program Scholars at Macaulay Honors College. Dr. Ivan Khan, Founder, Melissa Johnson, Program Director, and Ashely Azor, Program Coordinator, lead the celebration for graduating KF scholars, their families, board members, and supporters.
The Khan Foundation honored Dr. Nina Ahmad, member of the President’s Advisory Commission. Dr. Ahmad is the first Bangladeshi-American appointed by President Obama to a 14 member advisory commission on Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders. She and 13 other individuals serve on the commission advising the President on innovative ways to engage Asian American and Pacific Islanders across the country and to improve their health, education, environment, and wellbeing. Dr. Ahmad, a large supporter of our mission praised the foundation’s work and hopes to further connect Khan Foundation leaders to a larger audience including the deputy mayor of NYC, education leaders in Philadelphia and Washington DC and even the federal government.
“The vast majority of first generation immigrants who go to college are more likely to return to their community to give back versus non first generation college students,” said Dr. Ahmad.
In addition to celebrating the success of this year’s graduates, the event was held to raise money for Khan Foundation’s future programs. KF’s FREE College Access Program (CAP) works to help high-achieving underprivileged students over the course of 8 months to effectively find, apply to, and attend colleges that are best suited to them as well as assist them with securing financial aid and scholarships. Through targeted guidance and mentorship during workshops, Khan Foundation Instructors & Coordinators provide college admissions preparation as well as application & scholarship assistance over the entire college admissions process. The Khan Foundation believes that all young people should have an opportunity to apply to college, regardless of their personal backgrounds or financial statuses.
“As an immigrant woman of color and first generation student, I have known the challenges of navigating the educational system and the professional world without much guidance or assistance. Therefore when a friend introduced me to KF and Dr. Ivan Khan, I instantly knew I had to be involved. The mission of ensuring access to higher education for all high school students, particularly underrepresented students in New York City, empowering young women through mentorship in college prep and leadership skills, and assisting college students and young professionals with transitioning into professional fields moved me to become more than just a supporter,” said Melissa Johnson, Program Director.
After its first year, KF’s CAP graduates have been accepted to the following universities:
New York University
Cornell University
UNC-Chapel Hill
Boston University
Syracuse University
Penn State
Hofstra University
Seton Hall University
Stony Brook University
St. John’s University
SUNY Buffalo
SUNY Albany
Baruch College
Hunter College
Brooklyn College
New York Institute of Technology
Khan Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that strives to enrich the lives of low-income youth and rising professionals through college and career readiness. Khan Foundation works to achieve social equality for low-income communities through education, increased awareness of leadership opportunities and community empowerment.