Wichita State University is the destination for two Kauffman Scholars. Karla Arana from Wyandotte High School and Robbi Enna from Sumner Academy will attend Wichita State for the 2013-2014 academic year.

Kauffman Scholars Inc. provides opportunities for Kansas City metropolitan area youth to experience college first-hand by providing an earned scholarship. The four-year scholarship provides full tuition, books, fees and on-campus housing, which has opened the door for these scholars to attain a college education.

Wichita State is part of the Kauffman Scholars’ post-secondary network in which students are required to attend a partner institution. Five scholars were enrolled at WSU during the 2012-2013 academic year. As a partner institution, Wichita State will provide specific services and support to ensure Kauffman Scholar students have the best chance of graduating.

Alicia Sanchez, director of multicultural affairs at WSU, works directly with the Kauffman Scholars who chose Wichita State. She maintains a relationship with these students as they begin their transition from the program to college. As part of the first-year experience, scholars will receive ample resources through the Multicultural Student Mentoring Program.

“We are thrilled to have these two young ladies attend Wichita State,” said Sanchez. “It is our job to provide them the tools to be successful in their future endeavors and ensure they graduate. We look forward to seeing the great things they will accomplish on campus this year.”

Enna plans to major in psychology and has always wanted to attend Wichita State. She followed her older sister, senior Cree Enna, to WSU. Robbi was first exposed to campus through her involvement in TRIO programs hosted by Wichita State. The Enna sisters are both alumni of the Upward Bound Math Science program.

Arana plans to study forensic science and chose WSU because of the opportunity for an internship in her field through the Office of Cooperative Education and Work-Based Learning.

About Kauffman Scholars Inc.

Kauffman Scholars Inc. was created by founder Ewing Marion Kauffman. One of his most important goals was to help young people, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, get a quality education that would enable them to reach their full potential.

Kauffman Scholars is a comprehensive multi-year program designed to help urban students in Kansas City prepare for and complete a college education. The program provides support to students beginning in seventh grade and works with students until they complete their college education. The program was launched by the Kauffman Foundation in fall 2003, when the first class of seventh-graders joined the program.