Baylor Community Outreach Grant Supports Project Promise

Previously, Project Promise had received partial funding from a federal community block grant given to the City of Waco; however, over the years, public funding has gradually decreased and government constraints on spending have increased.

On July 31, Interim Provost Michael K. McLendon announced that funding will continue through a Baylor community outreach grant. The new funds will allow Project Promise to continue to provide tuition, transportation, meals and mentor support at no cost to approximately 60 students from Waco ISD.

“Project Promise stands as a shining success and an example of the kind of partnership between Baylor University and the Waco community, of which we can be most proud,” McLendon said. “Over the past 20 years, the program has improved both the lives and educational prospects for hundreds of Wacoans from all economic backgrounds. [This grant] underscores Baylor’s commitment to these children, to their families and to our local community.”

In 2016, a team of Baylor researchers, including Dr. Terrill F. Saxon, interim dean of the School of Education; Dr. Susan Johnsen, professor of educational psychology; Dr. Mary Witte, interim chair and professor of educational psychology; and Corina Kaul, educational psychology graduate student, published a study in the Journal for the Education of the Gifted about the results of the program. The team surveyed 89 past Project Promise students, finding that 100 percent had successfully completed high school and 90 percent who attended UYP for three or more years subsequently attended postsecondary education.

“Through the research, we learned that we are the only program like this in the nation for low-income kids,” Johnsen said. “And because of our longevity, we could really look at long-term effects.”

The research showed that Project Promise participants indicated perceived long-term positive education, career, social and personal bene ts resulting from their participation. Former students reported that their experience led them to select more rigorous courses in high school, influenced their decision to attend college and prepared them for college.