Goucher College Receives $250K Grants to Empower First-Generation Students Across the Region

Goucher College is proud to announce the launch of the Baltimore CAP (College Access and Preparation) Program @ Goucher—a bold initiative designed to support historically underrepresented and underserved college-bound high school students across Baltimore City and Baltimore County. This initiative underscores Goucher’s deep commitment to the region and its belief in supporting and cultivating local talent. Baltimore CAP @ Goucher will be funded through multiple grants from the state and the Maryland Higher Education Commission totaling more than $250,000.   

“In a time when national headlines often focus on the challenges Baltimore faces, Goucher is making it clear: We stand with Baltimore,” said Kent Devereaux, Goucher College president. “Through Baltimore CAP, we are not just investing in students—we are inspiring Baltimore’s next generation of leaders, innovators, and changemakers.”  

Baltimore CAP includes two distinct grant programs: Next Generation Scholars, which supports low-income students in Baltimore City Public Schools, and Baltimore Future-Ready Scholars, which serves students from Loch Raven High School and the Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women. 

By fall 2025, the program aims to engage 100 high school students, each of whom will receive free academic support as well as college and career preparation. Thanks to the support of Gov. Wes Moore, the initiative will also include a free summer program with experiences on Goucher’s beautiful 287-acre wooded campus—providing students with early exposure to college life, career pathways, and hands-on skill building. Goucher will collaborate with Baltimore-area schools to foster student persistence through one-on-one and small-group mentoring. 

The Baltimore CAP Program builds on a year-long, campus-wide training effort, supported by the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, to make Goucher more inclusive and responsive to first-generation college students. Goucher’s current LAUNCH Scholars Network is a comprehensive four-year initiative that offers support services, skills development, and community-building opportunities to undergraduate students to help them succeed in college and earn their degree. The Baltimore CAP Program @ Goucher extends that commitment further by creating a strong pipeline of college- and career-ready students from Baltimore’s high schools.  

The program also connects students with career exploration and job placements, and, thanks to Goucher’s partnership network, students will have access to real-world learning environments and on-site training opportunities.  

Additionally, the Baltimore CAP Program will include support for high school teachers and families, ensuring that scholars have a well-rounded support system from application to graduation.  

“This is about collective action—schools, colleges, nonprofits, and businesses coming together to build a better future for our young people,” said President Devereaux. “As higher education faces headwinds from federal funding cuts and demographic changes, Goucher and its partners are stepping up to meet the moment.”