The Institutional Resilience and Expanded Postsecondary Opportunity (IREPO) and the Opportunity Meets Innovation Challenge (OMIC) are grants awarded to Montclair State University to support students in Newark Public Schools. These collaborative grants will provide valuable college pathway opportunities to high achieving high school scholars.
The grants will address needs of vulnerable students by building resilience in the ongoing global pandemic. Each cohort of the grant will serve approximately 100 scholars, successful completion of the Dual Enrollment program & Summer Bridge will grant automatic admission to Montclair State University!
“The dual enrollment program will allow these high school scholars to engage in the college experience in and out of the classroom. This fully funded curricular and co-curricular experience will provide the pathway to successful careers and provide a structured opportunity for scholars to deliver COVID-related service to their community.”
– Dr. Daniel Jean, Assistant Provost for Special Programs at Montclair State University, EOF Alumnus, and Newark Native University H.S Class of 1992
Program Details
The IREPO and OMIC programs will give 300 High School Scholars the opportunity to earn up to 9 college credits prior to entering college. The first incoming cohort of 100 scholars will be class of 23’ with an expected completion date of December 2023. The program will offer courses that are required general education courses for any major. The course offering includes: Writing (WRIT105), Speech (CMST101), and other Gen Eds (e.g. Intro to Sociology/Psychology). In addition to earning 9 college credits, students will have direct access to success coaches, tutors, peer mentors, and MSU faculty!
The program will not only give you a head start to college but you will also receive services to enhance professional / career development, these services include:
- Transportation to campus for College Access
- Empowerment Events
- Virtual and In-Person Programming
- Collective Covid-related Service Project to benefit the city of Newark
- College readiness and career/major exploration workshops
- College Access/Financial Aid for Scholars/Families
Automatic acceptance into a Summer Bridge College Access Program (6 credits) *Educational Opportunity Fund, Health Career Program, Academic Launch, University Summer Bridge
Eligibility Requirements
High School Juniors and Seniors must meet the following eligibility requirements to apply:
- GPA: A minimum of 3.0 GPA
- Essay Question: The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? Your essay should be no more than 250 words.
- Recommendation Letter: One Letter of recommendation from your high school teacher or guidance counselor.
If you have any questions please contact: Dr. Daniel Jean at jeand@montclair.edu.