KAUKAUNA (NBC 26) — Kaukauna High School alum Molly Ruffing's First of Many mentorship program has earned Lawrence University’s 2021 Community Partner Diversity and Inclusion Champion Award.
The award is given annually by Lawrence University to recognize individuals and groups who have demonstrated exemplary achievement in fostering the academic and personal success of groups that have been underserved and underrepresented in higher education and promoting intergroup, cross-cultural understanding.
"She came up with a 10 week curriculum ... really excellent stuff from things like filling out a college application to how to find scholarships, to filling out financial aid, to doing campus tours ... all sorts of the little things that maybe a family who doesn't have a lot of experience with higher education might not know," said Kaukauna High School Counselor Matt Binsfeld.
Ruffing’s program rolled out for the first time in January 2021 at KHS. The initiative matches first-generation college students at Lawrence University with potential first-generation students currently in their sophomore or junior year at KHS. The program seeks to reduce barriers for first-generation students by providing them with support and resources necessary for applying to and attending college.
"It's really awesome to see a young person take initiative and try and do something great for other kids," Binsfeld said. "It's really special to see that. Molly's a special student, with a great idea."
