Graduation…then what? For seniors in high school and college, graduation is the ultimate punctuation mark on a portion of their academic career and the natural closing of a chapter. But what comes afterwards? The next chapter our graduates will write will be about their new beginnings, whether that is in a professional career, in their postsecondary education journey or in their opportunities to make a continued commitment to Meliora, finding ways to make the world ever better. We want to take some time to celebrate our Kearns Center affiliated seniors on all their achievements and share what their education has meant to them and the ways in which the Kearns Center has impacted their lives. This series will highlight several seniors in our programs at the Kearns Center who are ready for their next chapter.

Introducing: HS Senior, Khatira Mohammadi
Program: Upward Bound Math/Science
School: East High School
Next Chapter: Attending the University of Rochester

Attending college at the University of Rochester is the next chapter for East High School senior, Khatira Mohammadi. “My overall expectations for going to college are to learn, experience and make good lifelong connections with people.” Mohammadi plans to double major in Translation Science & Epidemiology on a pre-med track, with the goal of applying to a Physician Assistant graduate program after obtaining her bachelor’s degree.

It was only recently that Mohammadi made her final decision and committed to Rochester after weighing all her options. For Mohammadi, affordability of college played a big part in her decision making. She got accepted into HEOP at St. Lawrence University, St. John Fisher University, Rochester Institute of Technology (with a full tuition offer) and the University of Rochester. Mohammadi decided on the U of R after receiving the Brady Scholarship through the Office of Minority Student Affairs and says financially it made the most sense. “Rochester was one of my top college choices beside St. John Fisher and St. Lawrence University,” says Mohammadi. “During my high school years, I have made pretty good connections and felt the sense of belonging within the U of R community. Also, as a first-gen immigrant scholar, going to college seems a bit risky in terms of bills, but I was lucky enough to be chosen for the U of R premium award Brady Scholarship which made the decision easier for me.” The Brady Scholarship is a four-year scholarship to the University of Rochester. It covers full tuition costs and provides additional financial support for things like books, each academic year. 

Mohammadi is a member of the Kearns Center community and the Upward Bound Math/Science (UBMS) program and is familiar with the University of Rochester after spending six weeks last year participating in the Upward Bound summer program, which is led by the Kearns Center pre-college team. The program gives students a hands-on learning experience with academic classes and clubs and activities, but it also offers students an opportunity to see what a college campus is like and allows students from different Rochester City Schools to come together and participate in the same program. Mohammadi says she has very fond memories of her experience. “I only participated in the summer 2023 program” explained Mohammadi. “I am honored to say that it was the best experience from my high school journey. Sometimes, I think, I wish I could go back to that summer and experience it one more time.”

The summer program is just one part of the Kearns Center’s Pre-College programs which operate year-round. The three federally funded TRIO grant programs that make up the pre-college programs include Upward Bound (UB), Upward Bound Math/Science (UBMS) and Educational Talent Search (ETS). The programs help provide students with the resources, training, and support to both graduate from high school on time and enroll in college. “I started participating in the [UBMS] program in my junior year at Franklin High School” Mohammadi explains. “Throughout this program I not only gained skills and knowledge about college, I also learned how to give back to the community and build relationships with staff and other students.” Mohammadi says she is grateful for the experience and credits the Kearns Center and the UBMS program with helping her in many ways. “The program helped me to write my personal statement, opened my mind for the college process, getting ready for college and life after high school.”

Not only did the UBMS program help Mohammadi prepare for and apply to college - but also helped her build connections especially after she transferred from Franklin High School to East High School. “My high school journey was not what I really thought it would be” says Mohammadi. “Since I transferred to East High school, I was always nervous of facing other people and making new friends. I am glad the college prep center was here for me. I felt much more comfortable and shared the things I never had a chance to share with anyone else. They always let me spend my time and focus on my work.” 

Mohammadi has a bright future according to her Kearns Center Pre-College programs academic coach Michael Conley, who works at the college prep center at East High School. "It has been a privilege and a gift to work with Khatira as a senior in the Upward Bound program. Her passion for education is unparalleled and unwavering, despite almost insurmountable barriers. Khatira is a student who does not take no for an answer – for that reason, I believe she is bound for greatness." Mohammadi recently was awarded the gold medal for health career photography and the bronze medal for job seeking skills at the state level from Health Occupations Students of America or HOSA, an organization for future health professionals that is recognized by both the Department of Education and Department of Health and Human Services.

The next chapter doesn’t come without some nerves and mixed emotions. “I am happy [about graduating]” says Mohammadi. “But at the same time [I feel] scared of the transition to college but I will do fine. I believe in myself that I can make it and I have people who believe in me too.” Even though Mohammadi is starting a new chapter, she says the friendships and memories she’s made during her time in the UBMS program, she will cherish forever. “The people that I made a genuine connection with, the friends that I am bound with and the memories I have made during this sweet journey [are things I will always remember].”

For students who will be seniors next year and who will be graduating and writing their next chapters, Mohammadi had this advice: “Do not get burned out during your last year, make sure you take a breath - because time flies and you will never notice!”

Read more about the next chapters for our graduating seniors in our 2024 “Celebrating our Seniors” series. What is your next chapter? Share it with us, using #URKearnsNextChapter.