University's Edgerley-Franklin Urban Leadership scholars to explore urban leadership in Boston
Friday, March 13, 2015
MANHATTAN — Kansas State University students who have been recognized for their outstanding urban leadership will be spending their spring break learning about leadership activities in one of America's major cities: Boston.
The university's Edgerley-Franklin Urban Leadership scholars are selected in their senior year of high school for their outstanding contributions to the urban communities in which they live. They receive a $3,000 scholarship for their freshman year at Kansas State University, where they have access to academic and social experiences to encourage successful careers in any field of study. The scholars, many of them first-generation college students, are inspired to become exemplary citizens for life who will shape all aspects of American urban society.
While at the university, the scholars also have the opportunity to become part of the Developing Scholars Program, where they conduct undergraduate research under the guidance of a faculty mentor, and to take part in the university's leadership studies program.
The city of Boston was selected for the scholars' spring break tour because it is a national hub for social entrepreneurism, said Bernard Franklin, assistant to the vice president for student life at Kansas State University.
"Boston is known as a leader in driving system change in education, workforce development, public health, community development/poverty alleviation and other daunting issues that nag urban communities," Franklin said. "We are so fortunate to have this opportunity to expose our Edgerley-Franklin Urban Leadership scholars to the work of some of the best young social entrepreneurs in the world."
"K-State selects its Edgerley-Franklin Urban Leadership scholars for their outstanding leadership, so it's important that we provide them with opportunities such as this tour and further develop their own leadership styles, " said Pat Bosco, the university's vice president for student life and dean of students.
For the Boston Urban Learning Tour, Franklin and Tess Hobson, graduate assistant in the university's Office of Undergraduate Research & Creative Inquiry, mapped out visits to some of the most successful and productive education and urban youth-serving agencies in the city, including the Boys and Girls Club; Year Up, a nonprofit organization that helps young urban adults achieve college and professional careers; the Gear Up program, a national initiative to prepare low-income students for college; Children's Hospital of Boston; and the Match Charter School, which is considered to be one of the best charter schools in the country. The scholars also will visit Boston 2024, the office preparing the city's celebration of the 2024 Olympics in Boston, and nearby Harvard University.
"They have an opportunity to visit with the leaders or actual founders of these organizations and hear their vision for serving the urban community," Franklin said.
In addition, each scholar has completed research on one of the organizations to be visited and will serve as host and guide discussion at the selected site. They also will prepare a journal to capture what they learned.
The following Edgerley-Franklin Leadership scholars will take part in the Boston Urban Learning Tour, March 14-21:
• Samantha Estabrook, freshman in architecture, Buhler. Estabrook, a first-generation college student, is part of the Developing Scholars Program and president of Environmental Design Student Association. She also received the Greater Kansas City Foundation Scholarship.
• Michael Zuniga, biology and pre-dentistry, Dodge City. Zuniga, who is a member of the Developing Scholars Program and is a first-generation college student, also serves as a private first class in the National Guard.
• Navanté Peacock, sophomore in psychology and anthropology, Haysville. The first-generation college student conducts research through the Developing Scholars Program, receiving its Promise Award for his work. He also received the university's Leadership Scholarship.
• Ismael Hernandez, senior in construction science and management, Kansas City. A member of the Developing Scholars Program and Sigma Lambda Chi Construction Science and Management honor society, Hernandez received the Gates Millennium Scholarship and Memorial Scholarship. He has served as an intern for J.E. Dunn Construction.
• Marco Loma-Jasso, freshman in engineering, Kansas City. Loma-Jasso, a first-generation college student, conducts research through the Developing Scholars Program and is a Kansas Honor Scholar.
• Chayce Wynn, senior in biology and pre-medicine, Kansas City. Wynn is a member of the Developing Scholars program, a Martin Luther King scholar and has received the June D. Hull Sherrid Cancer Center Scholarship and Putnam Scholarship.
• Yubisela Toledo, sophomore in biology and pre-optometry, Liberal. A first-generation college student, Toldeo takes part in the Developing Scholars Program and has received the Garmon Social Justice Scholarship and Frank Cortez Memorial Award. Toledo recently presented her cancer research at the 2015 Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol Building in Topeka.
• Geordy Williams, sophomore in computer science, Overland Park. Williams is a member of the Developing Scholars Program and a Kansas State University Leadership Scholarship recipient He also is a Google CodeU intern.
• Jonathan Bernard, senior in biology and pre-medicine, SouthHutchinson. Bernard, a first-generation college student, is part of the Developing Scholars Program and received a Cancer Research Award from the university's Johnson Cancer Research Center. He will begin medical school in the fall.
• Cipriana Sapien, sophomore in accounting, Wichita. Sapien has received the Promise Award from the Developing Scholars Program for her research. She will intern at the accounting firm KPMG this summer. She also is the recipient of the Ellis Foundation Scholarship, AVID Scholarship and Cargill Scholarship.
• Joseph "Miguel" Valdes, senior in mechanical engineering, Louisville, Kentucky. A member of the Developing Scholars Program, Valdes received the university's Purple and White Scholarship. He also is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.
• Sergio Ortiz, sophomore in electrical engineering, Kansas City, Missouri. Ortiz, a member of the Developing Scholars Program, is a Kauffman Scholar and Multicultural Academic Success Program Scholar. The first-generation college student also is a member of Golden Key, an international academic honor society.
The Edgerley-Franklin Urban Leadership Scholarship was made possible by the Paul and Sandra Edgerley and Bernard Franklin families. It was created in memory of Franklin's wife, Elsia, who was committed to helping better the lives of young girls in urban Alabama.
