MLT Ascend Launches in San Francisco, Chicago, New York City and Washington, D.C. with the support of the Citi Foundation

NEW YORK, Sept. 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- MLT, a national non-profit that prepares high-potential minority talent for success at leading corporations, social sector organizations, and business schools, launches MLT's Ascend Program this month. MLT Ascend leverages the collective power of MLT alumni and college access partners to help ensure that low-income, first-generation college students, complete college and are ready for professional jobs that lead to long-term employment and financial stability. The program is made possible through a $1.1 million grant from the Citi Foundation.

While the national high school graduation rate approaches 75 percent, more than 40 percent of students who move on to college do not graduate within six years. This gap widens for first generation college students, minorities, and those from low-income communities. The problem is becoming more urgent as minority young people make up an increasing portion of our nation's population.

To help close this gap, MLT has recruited 150 first generation college freshmen from four cities: Chicago, New York, Washington, D.C. and San Francisco. These student scholars will be paired with MLT alumni or coaches who will provide the students with guidance, skills, a personalized career map, and networking opportunities to help them realize their full potential. The coaches are early- to mid-career rising leaders, many of whom were first generation college graduates and who are now successfully employed and ready to invest in the next generation.

The scholars were nominated by MLT partner organizations and universities: KIPP, College Track, Cristo Rey, American University School of International Service (SIS) and East Harlem Tutoring Center (EHTC). This program will be guided by a newly-launched curriculum utilizing best practices from MLT's best-in-class program model.

"I am so happy to be a part of the MLT Ascend program," said Theresa Atanoa, MLT Ascend Scholar and freshman at UC Santa Cruz. "I am the first in my family to go to college, and I want to get an economics degree and work towards fair trade. I want to have a career that ensures good wages for future generations and families like mine. I'm excited to work with a coach who can help me realize my dreams."

"I know first-hand that MLT strives to give all motivated minority students the chance to become successful in college and beyond," said Melvin Pina, MLT Ascend coach and a first-generation college graduate from Baruch College, now working at Citi. "Without MLT, I wouldn't be where I am now. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to pay it forward to the next generation through this important initiative."

MLT Ascend complements and reinforces the objectives of the Citi Foundation's Pathways to Progress initiative, a three-year, $50 million commitment to connect 100,000 low-income youth to economic opportunities through mentoring, civic engagement, summer employment and entrepreneurship training.

"Through MLT Ascend, we have an opportunity to work with first-generation college students to connect them with dedicated mentors who can provide seasoned advice, skills, and networks to help move them along the path of career success," said Brandee McHale, Chief Operating Officer of the Citi Foundation.

"In the past 10 years, MLT has successfully prepared over 4,000 African Americans, Latinos and Native Americans for success at the undergraduate, MBA and mid-career levels," explains MLT Founder and CEO John Rice. "Now, with the support of the Citi Foundation, our college access partners, and our dedicated alums, we are eager to make even greater strides in improving college completion rates and career readiness of low-to-moderate income and first generation minority students."

About MLT:
Over 30% of the US population is minority, but only 3% of our senior leaders are diverse. While broad investments at the K-12 level have expanded college access, MLT (www.ml4t.org) provides the coaching, hard & soft skills, and door-opening relationships that transform young professionals into high-impact future leaders. These ingredients are critical to realizing one's potential but historically have been delivered through informal channels to which minorities have limited access. MLT has delivered breakthrough results for its 4000 fellows (50% of whom are women) and has demonstrated it can fundamentally transform America's minority talent pipeline for the private and social sectors and develop 1000 leaders who catalyze change in our most vulnerable communities:  

• 95% of MLT undergraduates obtain fast-track jobs upon graduation (vs. 19% of all college graduates)
• 40% of the minority MBAs at Harvard, Wharton, Kellogg, Columbia, and Chicago are MLT Fellows
• MLT is #1 source of minority talent for many top firms including PepsiCo, Target, Goldman Sachs, Procter & Gamble, and Teach for America

For more information, visit http://www.ml4t.org/ and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

About the Citi Foundation:
The Citi Foundation works to promote economic progress in communities around the world and focuses on initiatives that expand financial inclusion. We collaborate with best-in-class partners to create measurable economic improvements that strengthen low-income families and communities. Through a "More than Philanthropy" approach, Citi's business resources and human capital enhance our philanthropic investments and impact. For more information, visit www.citifoundation.com.

SOURCE MLT