An expansion of a partnership between Missouri State University and KIPP will enable more students – often first-generation college students – from economically disadvantaged families to attend college and get a degree.

A leader in charter schools, KIPP comprises KIPP Foundation, KIPP St. Louis Public Schools and KIPP Kansas City Public Schools (KIPP KC).

“Through this partnership, we’ll add KIPP KC to our Access Programs. We hope to expand access to MSU and opportunities that come along with a higher education,” said Dr. Ryan Reed, director of access and success programs at MSU.

The first class of KIPP KC students will come to MSU in fall 2022. There are currently four KIPP St. Louis students at the university.

“As a longstanding KIPP St. Louis partner, MSU’s continued commitment to enhancing access and affordability for our alumni will contribute greatly to the persistence of our KIPP alumni at MSU and the continued growth of our partnership,” said Richard Barth, CEO of KIPP Foundation. “I’m excited to see the positive impact this collaboration will have on the lives of our students.”

What the partnership entails

This partnership aims to:

• Attract more KIPP students to attend MSU, where they’ll be able to excel academically.
• Provide opportunities for KIPP and MSU leadership and staff to create new strategies to address college challenges faced by students from families facing economic hardship and/or first-generation college students.
• Ensure that insufficient financial and persistence support does not affect access, admission or graduation for KIPP students.

Both MSU and KIPP will oversee various responsibilities related to partnership management, access, admission, affordability and student support.