The David T. Kearns Center : University of Rochester

A Kearns Center student celebrating at commencement.

Transforming lives through educational opportunity

About Us

Students sitting in an audience and listening to a presenter at a symposium.

Supporting a diverse student body in higher education

About Us

Providing guidance, scholarship and support services

About Us

Pre-College

Providing educational resources, training, and support to area high school students.

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Undergraduate

Supporting existing undergraduates in achieving their academic goals.

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Graduate

Growing the academic pipeline and diversifying the academic population.

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Rosebell Onuma holds up a t-shirt that says Kearns Class of 2025.

Featured Photo

The David T. Kearns Center Congratulates the Class of 2025

The Kearns Center congratulated the class of 2025 during its annual Celebration of Graduates on May 5, 2025. Ronald E. McNair Scholar Rosebell Onuma was one of the seniors recognized during the event. Onuma graduated from the University of Rochester on May 16, 2025, with a degree in environmental health. (Photo by: Alexa Olson, University of Rochester)

Check Out Our Upcoming Events

A collage of photos of first generation students at the University of Rochester with 1st as a text overlay.

Student Spotlight

First-generation students find mentors, resources, and niches at Rochester

About 20 percent of Rochester’s undergraduate student body are the first in their family to make the higher education leap.

Jessica smiling at the camera against a backdrop of ivy.

Feature Story

Get to Know Kearns Center Academic Coach Jessica McCane

If you come into the David T. Kearns Center on any given day, you will likely find the door to Jessica McCane’s office open with a sign that reads “everyone is welcome here.” If you take a step into her office, you’ll find a space filled with color and art, and bright lamp light—making her office a warm and inviting place to visit.

Williams standing on the University of Rochester campus.

Message from the Director

Introducing New Kearns Center Interim Director, Dr. Antonio Williams

The David T. Kearns Center is pleased to announce that Dr. Antonio Williams, Director for Graduate Diversity, has been named Interim Director of the Kearns Center effective April 21.

22full-time employees

The Kearns Center has 22 full-time employees who help run the federally grant funded programs that support individuals pursuing undergraduate, graduate, and professional education.

1500+students served

The Kearns Center supports well over 1,500 students from high school through doctorate annually, with lots of educational experiences, social and emotional support, financial resources, and connections to support their lifelong dreams.

5federal TRIO programs

The Kearns Center administers five federal grant funded programs that help provide educational guidance, scholarships, and support services to students who are low-income, first generation, or from historically racialized backgrounds.