WU announces commitment to reporting, supporting KIPP students

Bailey Winston | Contributing Reporter

Washington University has clarified its role as a sponsor, and now partner, with KIPP public charter schools, as the University announced it will actively search for qualified KIPP students who otherwise may not have known of opportunities offered at the University.

KIPP St. Louis is the first of two charter schools that Washington University officially sponsors. The relationship includes direct access to the University and its resources for KIPP students. Further, Washington University is now a partner with KIPP schools nationwide, as the University’s recruiters visit KIPP schools outside of just St. Louis.

While controversy surrounds charter schools around the country, KIPP’s mission for over 20 years has been to “[help] students from educationally underserved communities develop the knowledge, skills, character and habits needed to succeed in college and the competitive world beyond,” according to their official website.

Assistant Provost for Student Success Anthony Tillman clarified that the University’s involvement with KIPP is not a scholarship program, but rather a commitment to consider applicants from KIPP schools.

“In terms of the scholarship, the story was initially misrepresented. There’s not a designated KIPP scholarship at Washington University. It simply means we are investing in the opportunity to support any of those students, if they are admissible into Washington University, and we will celebrate that accomplishment on their behalf,” Tillman said.

Tillman further elaborated on what Washington University is currently doing for KIPP and what it plans on doing in the future.

“My responsibility is to address the KIPP alumni who matriculate into Washington University. Right now, there are three of them, and our hope is that [this] number will grow as time goes on,” Tillman said.

In working with KIPP at the national level, Director of Admissions Julie Shimabukuro hopes the University will be able to identify qualified applicants from not only St. Louis, but other places, as well.

“Now that we have partnered with KIPP as a national member, we are in touch with the KIPP national office and all of the KIPP guidance counselors to try to identify and connect with students who may be a strong match for Wash. U.,” Shimabukuro said.

Washington University’s involvement with KIPP is just one of the many times the University has shown a commitment to giving students of all financial backgrounds the education they deserve, Tillman said.

“We are an institution that does care about social economic diversity; that for us is not a rhetorical exercise, it’s something that we firmly believe in as an institution and we’re committed to ensuring that the opportunity to receive an education at Washington University is open to all students regardless of background as long as they meet our admissions criteria,” Tillman said.

In terms of what makes KIPP special, Tillman noted the importance of the school’s long-term commitment to its students along with the commitment these students often show in return.

“What KIPP is beginning to find is that some of their alumni who have gone on to get college degrees are coming back and investing back into KIPP in terms of working with them, which is, of course, what you’d like to see happen,” Tillman said.

Charter schools across the country often face controversy, due to misallocating state funding and running the schools too much like a business, a problem Tillman further explained.

“What gets charter schools in trouble, in my opinion, is more of a management issue because it’s no different from anything one does in life,” Tillman said. “Not everyone is cut out to be a doctor; you may want to be a doctor and open up your own mini clinic, but you might not have the experience necessary to be a doctor. The same applies to educational administrators.”

Shimabukuro summed up the University’s hope for what its relationship with KIPP will foster.

“We want to encourage students to think about higher education and to consider applying to and enrolling at Wash. U. and other institutions,” Shimabukuro said. “Building relationships is an important part of admissions, and we are looking forward to strengthening our relationships with KIPP schools and other schools around the country.”

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