Project Promise
Dr. Susan Johnsen developed Project Promise in 1999 to ensure that income was not a barrier for gifted and talented students wishing to participate in programming offered through Baylor's Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development. Originally funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), local participants had to meet HUD scholarship qualifications to participate. Project Promise participants were awarded full scholarships to attend summer programming and were provided with mentoring to support their growth.
To date, it is estimated that more than 450 students have been served by Project Promise since 1999. Historically, 100% of Project Promise students graduated from high school, and 90% attended college. Project Promise students reported that the program prepared them for higher education and careers and that their participation in the program positively impacted them socially and emotionally, as well as academically. We are actively working to obtain new grant funding to support this vital and long-standing part of our Center's mission.
You can support Project Promise today through a tax-deductible donation to Baylor University.
A $75 donation will fund a student's participation in a Super Saturday class, and a recurring donation of $250 a month will support a student for a full year, including summer programming and personalized college advising.
Kaul, C. R., Johnsen, S. K., Saxon, T. F., & Witte, M. (2016). Project Promise: A long-term follow-up of low-income gifted students who participated in a summer enrichment program. Journal for the Education of the Gifted. 39(2), 83 –102. https://doi.org/10.1177/0162353216640938
Kaul, C. R., Johnsen, S.K., Witte, M., & Saxon, T. F. (2015). Critical components of a summer enrichment program for urban low-income gifted students. Gifted Child Today, 38(1), 32-40. https://doi.org/10.1177/1076217514556533