Celebrating ACES 10th Anniversary
Over 2,700 students are participating in the ACES program; more than 400 have graduated from Montgomery College and/or transferred to a four-year university to complete their studies.
More than 40 donors, educational leaders, scholars, and staff gathered to celebrate the Achieving Collegiate and Excellence (ACES) program 10th anniversary on March 28 at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center. ACES is a collaboration among Montgomery County Public Schools, Montgomery College, and the Universities at Shady Grove (USG) designed to provide students with a seamless and supportive pathway from high school to a bachelor’s degree.
“ACES is truly unique in that three major educational institutions have united to help students with the greatest needs to earn degrees and compete in our workforce,” said the program’s Founding Director Karen Callender-Price.
Julia Francis, an ACES alum who works at NIH as a cancer researcher, completed a master’s degree in epidemiology at Columbia University. About her experience in the program, she said: “I truly believe that I wouldn’t be where I am today without the guidance and moral support I received from my ACES family.”
Since 2013, more than 8,300 Montgomery County Public School students have participated in ACES and received more than $4.75 million in scholarships.