Scotiabank donates $241K to KPU to support underrepresented high-school students
The Strive Dual Credit Program aims to make higher education more accessible
Pictured left to right: From KPU, Prospective Student Support Specialist Erin Lee, Advancement Officer Major Gifts Drew Dennis, and Advancement and Alumni Affairs Executive Director Steve Lewarne. From Scotiabank, Greater Vancouver South District Vice-President Jenifer Lee and BC and Yukon Region Senior Vice-President Stephen Gaskin. (Submitted)
Scotiabank has donated $240,750 to Kwantlen Polytechnic University to financially support underrepresented high-school students in taking post-secondary courses.
The donation was made through Scotiabank’s investment initiative, ScotiaRISE, which provides financial aid to BIPOC and low-income students, as well as those facing academic and social barriers. It also aims to support underserved youth during their transition from school to employment.
The funding will go towards the KPU Scotiabank Strive Dual Credit Program, which will allow Grade 11 and 12 students to gain early exposure to university life, while earning credit towards their high-school graduation.
For KPU Advancement and Alumni Affairs Executive Director Steve Lewarne, the donation from Scotiabank represents more than just financial support — it signals the trust it has in the institution with this program.
“[Scotiabank is] not just donors to KPU, they’re champions of KPU. I know they’re big fans of this program and the university,” Lewarne says.
The two-year program will see students enter the classroom during the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years. These students will still be enrolled in high school as they enter the program, giving them an opportunity to take university-level courses at KPU.
The aim of the program is to break down barriers commonly encountered at the start of university, while also giving students a head start on post-secondary courses, which will help make the transition easier for those who will go on to pursue higher education.
“Through this program, [students do] not just get to walk into the building, they get to enter the classroom and participate in classes — and it really reduces those barriers and any stigma that comes along with it,” Lewarne says.
The partnership with Scotiabank was a good fit for KPU because they both share a commitment to investing in education, Lewarne says, while raising awareness on funding gaps, so all students have the opportunity to pursue post-secondary education.
“[Scotiabank has] a strong value system and belief in investing in youth, and one of the ways they choose to give back to the community and invest in the future is through youth and education,” Lewarne says.
In the next two years, the Dual Credit Program hopes to expose 315 high-school students from the South Fraser region to post-secondary education.
Lewarne says it is crucial to ensure the program is always full and hopes of expanding and reaching more students from other regions.
“We would want to maximize Scotiabank’s investment, and in order to do that, it would be to ensure that every dollar was invested in these students and we filled every seat,” Lewarne says.
Lewarne wants to see students walk away from the program with the confidence that they can achieve a post-secondary education.
“[Students] will take away that university is not as intimidating as they might think. University is an achievable goal for everyone.”
