Campus Compact has been awarded funds from Lumina Foundation for Education to engage states in Lumina’s KnowHow2GO (KH2GO) Campaign 2009-2010. Now, grantees in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin are receiving additional monies to expand college access and success programs in their states and regions.

BOSTON — Young people in all socio-economic groups have college aspirations. But despite their aspirations, low-income students and those who are the first in their families to pursue higher education are severely underrepresented on college campuses. Now, Campus Compact state affiliates in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin have been awarded grants to reinforce and expand efforts already underway to prepare students as young as 6th grade for college.

The grants are the result of a generous donation to Campus Compact’s national office from Lumina Foundation for Education, an Indiana-based organization committed to enrolling and graduating more students from college—especially low-income students, students of color, first-generation students and adult learners. Lumina’s goal is to increase the percentage of Americans who hold high-quality degrees and credentials to 60 percent by 2025.

Awardees include the Illinois Campus Compact, which is led by Executive Director Kathy Engeklen; Indiana Campus Compact led by Executive Director Margaret Stevens; Michigan Campus Compact led by Executive Director Renée Zientek; and Wisconsin Campus Compact led by Executive Director Pamela Proulx-Curry, Ph.D.

KH2GO is a multiyear effort sponsored by the American Council on Education, Lumina Foundation for Education, and the Ad Council that encourages 8th through 10th graders to prepare for college using four simple step or messages:

1. Let everyone know that you’re going to college and need their help.
2. Take the tough classes to be ready for college.
3. Find out what kind of school is the best match for you and your career goals.
4. If you think you can’t afford college, think again. There’s lots of aid out there.

In making the announcement, Campus Compact President, Maureen F. Curley, noted, “Access to and success in college have been issues of deep concern at Campus Compact for many years. We were honored when Lumina Foundation chose to fund us so significantly earlier this year, and—in turn—we are happy to pass along some of their largess in the form of these modest grants.”

“Thanks to Lumina, Campus Compact will also convene a first-of-its-kind, invitation-only summit on October 12th and 13th for our 1,100 member college and university presidents,” Curley continued, “We will meet at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. to explore new partnerships that may help ensure success for students and for institutions alike.”

About Campus Compact

Campus Compact is a nonprofit coalition of more than 1,100 college and university presidents—representing some 6 million students—who are committed to fulfilling the civic purposes of higher education. As the only national association dedicated to this mission, Campus Compact is a leader in building civic engagement into campus and academic life.

For more information about Campus Compact, visit http://compact.org or contact Sue C. Kelman, Communication Director, at 617.357.1881, x207 or skelman@compact.org.

About Lumina Foundation

Lumina Foundation for Education, an Indianapolis-based private foundation, strives to help people achieve their potential by expanding access to and success in education beyond high school. Through grants for research, innovation, communication and evaluation, as well as policy education and leadership development, Lumina Foundation addresses issues that affect access and educational attainment among all students, especially underserved student groups such as minorities, students from low-income families, first-time college-goers and working adults. The Foundation believes postsecondary education is one of the most beneficial investments individuals can make in themselves and that a society can make in its people.

For more information about Lumina, contact Kate Snedeker, Communication Associate, at 317.258.3748 and ksnedeker@luminafoundation.org.