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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Featured Photo

Kicking Off the Fall 2024 Semester

Dozens of students joined us to kick off the semester during the Kearns Kickoff event on September 11. Pictured left to right are Katy Gao, a Kearns Scholar, and Icesis Hinkson-Serrano, a McNair Scholar. The McNair program is currently accepting applications. Check it out! (Photo: Alexa Olson, University of Rochester)

McNair Program

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.

Symposium attendees listening to a speaker.

Feature Story

Research Scholars Present at 32nd Annual Kearns Summer Research Symposium

Exciting, fun, and amazing. That’s how some of the research scholars who took part in the 32nd Annual Kearns Summer Research Symposium described their experience.

Aerial drone photo of Meliora weathervane atop Rush Rhees Library Tower, as seen during sunset.

Message from the Director

Celebrating Community!

As we settle into the academic year, I want to take a moment to reflect on the significance of community. As you navigate your way through various educational settings – from middle school to graduate school – you will experience immense growth, discovery, and challenge, and the relationships you build along the way will be integral to your success.

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.