The Kessler Scholars, a Bobcat First Program, provides holistic support for a diverse community of high-achieving students who are among the first in their family to pursue a four-year college degree. Through peer-connections, co-curricular activities, workshops, academic support, and individualized guidance, the Kessler Scholars Program provides first-generation college students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed and thrive on campus and beyond. 

Each fall, the Kessler Scholars Program welcomes a new cohort of students to take advantage of this multi-faceted, transformative support, and to become active contributors to a close-knit Kessler Scholar community they help to create. Engagement with the program allows students to discover how to be their best and explore how their Bates degree empowers them to shape the future.

Read more on the Kessler Scholars Collaborative

Become a Kessler Scholar

Recruitment is currently open for our Class of 2029 Cohort and incoming first-gen students can apply via the Google Form linked here. If you have any questions please reach out by email to Director Misael Beltran-Guzman by email at mbeltranguzman@bates.edu

Who May Apply:

Students who have accepted admission to the Bates Class of 2029 and who are first-generation students. First-Generations students are students for whom neither parent/guardians have a bachelor’s degree at time of enrollment.

Selection Process:

Kessler Scholars are selected by a staff committee. The committee seeks students who come from diverse backgrounds and bring diverse experiences, have strong academic credentials, and the desire to engage in all aspects of the Kessler Scholars Program.