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Too often, students from underrepresented groups and underserved communities miss out on valuable resources that can help them prepare for college. A public university, UCLA welcomes students of all backgrounds and works hard to achieve equity in education.
Preparing High School Students
Fortunately, UCLA’s alumni are just as committed to the cause. As a teacher working in Los Angeles and overseas, Gladys Haynie, MS ’60 did everything she could to help her students succeed. She offered college-readiness workshops on her own initiative and engaged parents in school activities, knowing that they, too, play a role in their children’s education.
Now Haynie has come full circle: The longtime educator and administrator has made a testamentary pledge of $250,000 to create the Gladys Haynie Endowment for the VIP Scholars Program, the first endowed fund for a UCLA initiative that prepares underrepresented high school students for four-year universities. The gift will support scholarships and outreach, including student recruitment and parent engagement.
A Unique and Effective Program
Founded in 2006, the Vice Provost Initiative for Pre-College (VIP) Scholars Program works with students at ten local high schools with historically low numbers of college applicants. Provided at no cost to the students or their families, the program offers college advising, application assistance, student and parent workshops, research opportunities, Buddy Days for high school students to shadow UCLA undergraduates, and a residential summer program. These activities have helped hundreds earn acceptance at institutions ranging from UC campuses to Ivy League colleges.
Propelled by Haynie’s generosity, the VIP Scholars Program will be able to give many more students the chance to thrive through and beyond college.
Published September 2019
The Gladys Haynie Endowment for the VIP Scholars Program will help prepare high school students for four-year universities, including UCLA.
The Gladys Haynie Endowment for the VIP Scholars Program will help prepare high school students for four-year universities, including UCLA.
