FORDHAM PREP 2022 ANNUAL GIVING REPORT
“ For a long time , there has been the yearning for a mentoring program specifically for students of color ,” says Corey Punter ’ 07 , former Associate Director of Admissions and moderator of the George Jackson ’ 76 Mentoring Program . “ Yet ,” he continued , “ there just wasn ’ t a catalyst for that to begin .”
All of the young men in the program are first-generation college-bound students . The mentoring program motivates and supports these students by helping them with goal setting , study skills , college search , mock interviews , decision making , service and social justice .”
– Corey Punter ’ 07 Former Associate Director of Admissions and moderator of the George Jackson ’ 76 Mentoring Program
Currently in its pilot stage , the George Jackson ’ 76 Mentoring Program is made up of a group of over 20 young alumni who meet and work one-on-one with current Prep students throughout the year .
“ All of the young men in the program are first-generation college-bound students ,” says Punter . “ The mentoring program motivates and supports these students by helping them with goal setting , study skills , college search , mock interviews , decision making , service and social justice .”
In addition to the assistance provided by Fordham Prep ’ s teachers and counselors , Punter states that the mentorship program serves as “ another safety net , or another way to help support these students through the challenging time of junior and senior year .”
While the main focus of GJI is to guide students through the Fordham Prep experience , the mentorship program also bridges the gap between current students and alumni . “ It allows them to be more confident throughout their experience here as a student ,” Punter states . “ It helps them feel more included and better connected to the institution .” That , he notes , not only puts first-generation students at the Prep in a better position to succeed , but also furthers “ the legacy and reputation of Fordham Prep and what we stand for : men for others .”
“ Even though it was a bit challenging being surrounded by new faces when I first came in my freshman year I can definitely say that I feel at home ,” said George Jackson mentee Augustine Dadua ’ 23 . A member of the Prep ’ s Film & Television Club ( FPTV ), he is able to work on his God-given talent as one of the school ’ s volunteer video editors and co-producer for the studentrun Ramblin ’ podcast .
“ The Prep is a very open community ,” Dadua continued . “ While I admit it was a bit shocking coming to an environment where most of my peers were white , I found that they weren ’ t that different from me in the end .”
The GJI Mentorship Program has also given Dadua the opportunity to gather with many of the other African- American and Latin-American students attending Fordham Prep to advocate for diversity and social change .
Fordham Prep ’ s sophomore class will be the first group of students eligible for the scholarship component of the initiative .
Punter is grateful to those who have donated to the initiative . “ Their gift is indispensable to supporting the students at the Prep . It makes the reality of being a Fordham Prep alumnus easier to attain ,” he states .
Learn more at : fordhamprep . org / gji n
Augustine Dadua ’ 23 with former Prep President Rev . Christopher Devron and former trustee Maurice Hyacinthe , Esq . ’ 77 , after his speech about his George Jackson Mentorship Program experience at the Board of Trustee Christmas Party in December 2021 .
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