{"id":4844,"date":"2025-02-03T14:24:17","date_gmt":"2025-02-03T19:24:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.goucher.edu\/magazine\/?p=4844"},"modified":"2026-02-13T12:19:07","modified_gmt":"2026-02-13T17:19:07","slug":"launching-students-toward-success","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.goucher.edu\/magazine\/launching-students-toward-success\/","title":{"rendered":"LAUNCHING Students Toward Success"},"content":{"rendered":"

T<\/span>his spring, the first cohort of Goucher\u2019s LAUNCH Scholars Network will graduate, and director Melissa Alexander, who has been with them, guiding the program since the beginning, couldn\u2019t be happier.<\/p>\n

Developed to offer support to Goucher\u2019s first-generation and Pell Grant-eligible students, the LAUNCH Scholars Network provides four years of support services, skills development, and community-building.<\/p>\n

Alexander joined Goucher in August 2021 and immediately got to work with the new LAUNCH students. Now, after four years, she says it\u2019s surreal to see this first group ready to walk the stage this spring.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt feels like it\u2019s been a long time coming and also like it just went by very fast,\u201d Alexander says. \u201cI still remember everyone coming to campus and trying to find their way and make these connections with each other. It\u2019s been so interesting and exciting to see these students navigate that.\u201d<\/p>\n

The first exposure to Goucher for many LAUNCH scholars is the Summer LAUNCH Program, held in early August just prior to the start of the fall semester. During Summer LAUNCH, students have the opportunity to get acclimated to campus and start building friendships with fellow first-year students. In addition to the bonding, there are mini-courses, skill-building workshops, and one-on-one mentorship from a LAUNCH crew peer mentor.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I talk to LAUNCH students, Summer LAUNCH is one of the things they talk most about,\u201d Alexander says. \u201cIt\u2019s just so significant in terms of them learning about our resources and making connections early on to set them up for success.\u201d<\/p>\n

While Summer LAUNCH is an impactful part of the program, it\u2019s just the beginning. There\u2019s specific support provided for each academic year, be it conquering the sophomore slump, applying to internships and figuring out a study abroad experience for junior year, or preparing to graduate with their next steps identified. In addition to support, there are also community-building activities throughout the four years, from craft nights to the elaborate rope courses of their sophomore retreat.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur program provides one space on campus where students can feel like they belong, and we encourage them to find other pockets of affinity across campus to add to their support,\u201d Alexander said. \u201cThe research says that our first-gen students tend to exhibit more stress than their continuing-generation peers, so we are always thinking about ways to provide spaces for our students to de-stress.\u201d<\/p>\n

With a full cycle under her belt, Alexander said the time is right for the LAUNCH Scholars Network to expand. Currently, the LAUNCH Scholars Network works as an opt-in program. First-generation and Pell Grant-eligible admits are notified of the program and invited to apply. Alexander said she would love to see both resources for and interest in the LAUNCH Scholars Network expand so that they can reach 100% of eligible students.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe see such positive and promising retention numbers for students who participate in this program that we want to expand the number of students who participate in LAUNCH,\u201d Alexander says. \u201cSo we have to think about how to make this program more accessible, especially to our first-generation and Pell Grant-eligible populations.\u201d<\/p>\n

One of her ideas for scaling up the program is to create events and workshops that reach the wider Goucher campus.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe do workshops with our ACE [Academic Center of Excellence] partners that focus on skill-building, like note taking and college-level reading and writing, and those could benefit all students,\u201d Alexander says. \u201cIt\u2019s just one more way to reach the first-gen and Pell Grant-eligible populations that might not participate in the cohort experience.\u201d<\/p>\n

As the LAUNCH Scholars Program expands, Alexander says there is need for members of the Goucher community to get involved. Any faculty, staff, or alumnae\/i interested in participating or aiding the LAUNCH experience can contact her at melissa.alexander@goucher.edu.<\/p>\n

She says that alumnae\/i connections are particularly important for their junior and senior classes. While students have opportunities to connect with alumnae\/i during events like the Jewell Robinson Dinner, she hopes to begin incorporating alumnae\/i panels and mentorship opportunities as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou talk to these students, and they have all of the great, grand ideas about where they want to go and what they want to do,\u201d Alexander says. \u201cLAUNCH is the way to help them achieve everything that they already know that they can.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Daisy Barillas<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Class:<\/strong> 2027<\/p>\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Lawrenceville, New Jersey<\/p>\n

Major:<\/strong> Business Management<\/p>\n

Scholarship:<\/strong> Virginia Howe Young 1928 Scholarship<\/p>\n

My first year at Goucher was a big growing opportunity. Over time I was able to meet new people and build a sense of community.<\/p>\n

I am in the LAUNCH Scholars Network, serve as a resident assistant in a first-year residence hall, and am the lead assistant of the Children\u2019s Program for the Futuro Latino Learning Center.<\/p>\n

I plan to pursue a career in business. I intend to obtain an internship this upcoming summer to help explore possible career areas. Goucher has a partnership with Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT), which is a nonprofit organization that connects underrepresented students with mentors and networking opportunities with employers. I plan to apply to their MLT Career Prep Program this semester.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Aaliyah Briddell<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Class:<\/strong> 2027<\/p>\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Salisbury, Maryland<\/p>\n

Major:<\/strong> Business Administration<\/p>\n

Scholarship:<\/strong> Stromberg Family Scholarship<\/p>\n

I\u2019m a shy person, so it was difficult finding friends right off the bat. But after two weeks of being in the LAUNCH Scholars Network Program, I\u2019ve found five incredible friends that I am blessed to have to this day. They have made my Goucher experience amazing.<\/p>\n

I am a part of the Student Athlete Advisory Council; Black Gophers; the Center for Race, Equity, and Identity; and the track & field team.<\/p>\n

I have wanted to have my own business since sophomore year of high school\u2014my own hair and cosmetic business\u2014while also working somewhere that I enjoy.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Shaun Chaney<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Class: <\/strong>2027<\/p>\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Capitol Heights, Maryland<\/p>\n

Major:<\/strong> Political Science<\/p>\n

Scholarship:<\/strong> Eleanor Watts Black 1920 Memorial Scholarship<\/p>\n

As a first-generation college student, my transition to college hasn\u2019t been easy, but I\u2019m happy to say that the supportive LAUNCH Scholars Network has given me the confidence to proudly call myself a Gopher!<\/p>\n

I am a senator and member of the Ways and Means Committee for the Student Government Association, a Goucher guide, the treasurer of the Nomad Student Organization, a member of the Facilitated Dialogue Team, a student assistant at the Goucher College Library, and a participant in the Jewish Learning Fellowship.<\/p>\n

I came to college uncertain about my future, but over the past two years, interacting with people from diverse backgrounds and experiencing different cultures and languages has inspired me to pursue a career as a diplomat.<\/p>\n

As a first-generation college student, graduating means so much more to me than just earning a degree. My time here is shaping me into a thoughtful person who can make a positive impact on those around me while laying a strong foundation for future generations in my family.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lily\u00a0 L\u2019Oiseau<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Class:<\/strong> 2026<\/p>\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Hamilton, New Jersey<\/p>\n

Major: <\/strong>Environmental Studies and Engineering Science<\/p>\n

Minor:<\/strong> Studio Art<\/p>\n

Scholarship:<\/strong> Class of 1904 Scholarship<\/p>\n

Before I came to Goucher, I wanted to make sure I felt supported academically and financially. Goucher met and then exceeded those expectations.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m a student leader with the Office of Community-Based Learning, an Arsht Diplomat, the Community Outreach Committee chair for SGA, a member of the Goucher College equestrian team, a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, a Suzanne Fineman Cohen \u201956 International Scholar, a LAUNCH Scholars Network Student, and former LAUNCH Scholars Network mentor.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve recently been named a Newman Civic Fellow. This is a cohort of college students with a passion for civic service and for supporting their communities.<\/p>\n

After receiving my bachelor\u2019s degree from Goucher, I\u2019d like to pursue a master\u2019s in environmental engineering. I want to work in communities at the local scale to support their efforts to be sustainable and have environ[1]mental autonomy. I feel like if we can connect with our environment better, we can learn more about how we can best function as humans.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m so grateful to be part of Goucher\u2019s community and I look forward to cherishing the rest of my time here.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Kemarco Monger<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Class:<\/strong> 2027<\/p>\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Jessup, Maryland<\/p>\n

Major:<\/strong> Psychology<\/p>\n

Scholarship:<\/strong> Stromberg Family Scholarship<\/p>\n

My first year of Goucher was a great experience, especially with being a part of the LAUNCH Scholars Network. I\u2019ve been blessed enough to obtain the opportunity to make new friends, join the track team to break a few records, meet many people with various backgrounds and stories to tell, and genuinely make nice memories. It made me feel more welcome knowing others had struggles and hardships like I did going to college for the first time or with being the first in your family to go to college.<\/p>\n

My goal is to become a licensed therapist or psychiatrist in hopes of providing the mental help and stability that people need. I have explored many ways to be involved in my field of choice, including applying for internships and going to events within campus and online.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Skye Washington<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Class: <\/strong>2026<\/p>\n

Hometown: <\/strong>Washington, DC<\/p>\n

Major: <\/strong>Environmental Studies<\/p>\n

Minor:<\/strong> Spanish<\/p>\n

Scholarship: <\/strong>Bouis-Peake Women in STEM Scholarship<\/p>\n

My college experience started when I spent the first two weeks in August with the LAUNCH Scholars Network. It was a great way to get familiarized with the campus, students, and staff.<\/p>\n

As a sophomore, I became a lot more comfortable doing hard things, such as tackling complex topics in my economics classes. Coming this far at Goucher has given me a sense of accomplishment due to my resilience, patience, and awareness.<\/p>\n

My goals are to learn a wide range of topics in environmental studies. I want to keep doing research, and I want to make sure I have a strong understanding of humanity, social science, and life science.<\/p>\n

I run for Goucher\u2019s track and cross-country teams, I am a member of the Suzanne Fineman Cohen scholarship program, and I am also a member of the Black Gophers Club, which is a club for student athletes who identify as Black or African American.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This spring, the first cohort of Goucher\u2019s LAUNCH Scholars Network will graduate. Director Melissa Alexander, who has been with them, guiding the program since the beginning, couldn\u2019t be happier.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":352,"featured_media":4835,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[7935],"tags":[],"ppma_author":[87512],"class_list":["post-4844","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-goucher-today"],"yoast_head":"\nLAUNCHING Students Toward Success | Goucher Magazine<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The LAUNCH Scholars Network provides four years of support services, skills development, and community-building.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, 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