News & Updates

The David T. Kearns Center is pleased to welcome some new faces to the Kearns Scholars Program team. Back in April, the Kearns Center welcomed Claude Poux as the program manager for the Kearns Scholars program, one of three college programs run by the Kearns Center. Poux has hit the ground running and is working closely with two new academic coaches for the Kearns Scholars Program: Yarleny Andeliz who was brought on in July and Paul ‘Alex’ Williams who started at the Kearns Center in mid-October.

Together Poux, Williams and Andeliz have many years of experience under their belts. Williams comes to the Kearns Center from SUNY Brockport where he worked as the Associate Director for the Educational Talent Search Program. Williams has spent over six years in pre-college advising, working with students to achieve their academic goals by helping them navigate academic planning, college reediness and career exploration. Williams holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from SUNY Brockport as well as master's degree in strategic leadership from Roberts Wesleyan.

Andeliz recently graduated with her Master of Arts in Teaching in Science Education from New York University and has a Bachelor of Arts in Engineering Science from the University of Rochester (’23). Prior to taking on the role as an academic coach she served as a full-time substitute teacher at Robert F. Wagner Middle School in New York. Andeliz is excited to be back at her alma mater and knows the Kearns Center well as she also was a McNair, SSS and Kearns scholar during her time at UR.

Get to Know Claude Poux

Poux is also no stranger to higher education. For over three decades he has worked at different universities including Harvard, CalTech, MIT and Johns Hopkins University. Not surprisingly he has a long list of achievements including co-founding the National Conference of Black Physics Students in the 1980’s, an accomplishment of which he is particularly proud of. Poux is using his knowledge and decades of experience to expand the reach of the Kearns Scholars program, adding that the holistic approach the program takes is so important - in terms of supporting a student’s academic, personal, and professional growth. “This approach not only enhances academic success but also promotes a sense of belonging and well-being, ultimately contributing to higher retention and graduation rates.”

Director of the Kearns Center, Dr. Miguel Baique, is pleased to have Poux as part of the team. "I am delighted to welcome Claude as the inaugural Kearns Scholars Program Manager at the Kearns Center. Claude brings a wealth of experience in higher education, program management, and student engagement—essential skills for advancing the Kearns Scholars Program. As a staunch advocate for underrepresented and marginalized students, I am excited to see him lead the program, ensuring students are supported, feel a sense of belonging, and succeed."

Associate Vice Provost for Academic Equity and Executive Director of the Kearns Center Dr. Beth Olivares is thrilled about the expansion of the Kearns Scholars team. “Having a whole staff dedicated specifically to Kearns Scholars will allow for a systematic implementation of the kinds of hands-on, evidence-based approaches to student success for which the Kearns Center has long been known” Olivares says. “This expansion and focus represents a remarkable step forward for the Center and for the university. I applaud Miguel’s vision in bringing this to fruition and can’t wait to see what this grows into next; I eagerly look forward to celebrating the many future successes of our staff and students.”

Poux comes to Rochester from Wake Forest University in North Carolina where he previously served as an Assistant Director of the Wake Forest Scholars Program. As part of his role, he helped advise students on how to become successful candidates for fellowships and awards.

The University of Rochester has been a school that has always been on Poux’s radar. “The University of Rochester is a very good school,” explains Poux, who says he’s known about Rochester for decades and had dreams of attending the Eastman School of Music after discovering he had an interest and talent for playing the piano. Poux says he looked at Eastman and was admitted but ultimately decided study at Brandeis University in Massachusetts, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Physics, Philosophy and History of Ideas. He later went on to earn master’s degrees from the University of Chicago and Columbia University.

Poux is excited to be in Rochester, a place that reminds him of his hometown of Akron, Ohio. The youngest of five siblings, Poux says his parents immigrated to the United States from Hatti and always valued the importance of a good education. He credits his family with supporting him and allowing him to explore his interests including his love of music. “My parents being very keen on education for them that was top of the pile. They invested every cent they could - that always came first” says Poux.

Upcoming Kearns Scholars Program Events

Poux, Williams, and Andeliz are energized and enthusiastic about the work they are doing and future of the Kearns Scholars program. If you are a current Kearns Scholar, make sure you are following the Kearns Center social media pages for updates and keep your eye out for any upcoming Kearns events!