From left to right, Nicole Morden-Cormier, Interim Director of Education at Superior-Greenstone District School Board, Lakehead President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Moira McPherson, and Maria Vasanelli, Interim Director of Superior North Catholic District School Board, signed the memorandum of understanding on Tuesday, Sept. 25.

September 25, 2018 – Thunder Bay, ON

Nipigon students will have a greater chance of attending university thanks to a memorandum of understanding signed with Lakehead University on Tuesday, Sept. 25.

Current and future Grade 4 students from George O’Neill Public School and St. Edward Catholic School who are eligible will now have the opportunity to enroll in the Achievement program. Students who are eligible to participate, attend special on campus programming at the University and meet certain criteria to earn financial support toward their first year of tuition at Lakehead University. 

Lakehead President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Moira McPherson signed the memorandum of understanding with Nicole Morden-Cormier, Interim Director of Education at Superior-Greenstone District School Board, and Maria Vasanelli, Interim Director for Superior North Catholic District School Board.

“The Achievement Program is Lakehead University’s commitment to supporting access to postsecondary education by providing opportunities for students who experience socioeconomic barriers,” Dr. McPherson said.

“This program is about hope and opportunity, and encouraging students to see themselves as Lakehead University graduates at an early age. It’s about changing attitudes and expectations,” she added.

Lakehead introduced the Program in 2011 to help students obtain a postsecondary education at the University. Eligible participants enrol in grade 4 and continue with the Program until grade 12, with annual opportunities to earn financial assistance by completing specific requirements at their school, community and at Lakehead University.

At the end of those nine years, the accrued value of each student’s financial support will help fund their first year at Lakehead University. Lakehead provides additional spots each year, based on available funding, for eligible students to enrol.

Morden-Cormier said the Superior-Greenstone District School Board is pleased to partner with Lakehead University to bring the Achievement Program to students at George O’Neill Public School. 

“We know that students who feel a strong sense of belonging are more likely to succeed. Lakehead University’s Achievement Program has been designed to do just that – to ensure that students become familiar with and feel welcome at the University beginning in grade 4,” she said.

“This program reflects our strong belief in providing equity of access to education as it offers children who might otherwise not have been able to attend University the opportunity to experience it. We believe that this program will have a significant impact on our students.”

Vasanelli said: “Superior North Catholic District School Board is pleased to partner with Lakehead University in providing a progressive opportunity to our students. It is partnerships such as these that strengthen the community in supporting students to reach their potential through relevant education.”

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Media: For more information or interviews, please contact Brandon Walker, Communications and Marketing Associate, at (807) 343-8177 or mediarelations@lakeheadu.ca.

Lakehead University has approximately 9,700 full-time equivalent students and 2,000 faculty and staff in 10 faculties at two campuses in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Lakehead is a fully comprehensive university: home to Ontario’s newest Faculty of Law in 44 years, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, and faculties of Engineering, Business Administration, Health & Behavioural Sciences, Social Sciences & Humanities, Science & Environmental Studies, Natural Resources Management, Education, and Graduate Studies. Maclean’s 2018 University Rankings place Lakehead University among Canada's Top 10 primarily undergraduate universities, as well as first in Total Research Dollars, second for Citations, and third for Scholarships and Bursaries. In 2017, Research Infosource named Lakehead Research University of the Year in its category for the third consecutive year. Visit www.lakeheadu.ca.