The University of Maryland\'s Academic Achievement Program gives higher education opportunities to those in need and in special situations. This brochure was developed to help them raise funds to help others reach their goals.

1. conceive.
believe.
achieve.
Academic Achievement Programs
Providing the opportunity for young
people to overcome obstacles
through academic success.

3. University of Maryland College Park
academic achievement programs
profiles in achievement
Contents
I. Introduction, Executive Director Dr. Jerry L. Lewis
II. A History of Success
A. About the Academic Achievements Programs
III. The Five Departments
A. The Summer Transitional Program
B. The Student Support Services Program
Profile: Sami Ashktorab
C. The Intensive Educational Development Program
Profile: Roy Koldaro
D. The Robert E. McNair Post Baccalaureate Program
Profiles: Chryl Laird, Laura DiTizio
E. The Educational Opportunity Center
conceive. Profile: Joel Solorzano
IV. Inside the Numbers of AAP
believe. V. How to Make a Donation to the AAP
achieve.

4. “…making a difference in one life, can make a difference for generations to come.”
Dr. Jerry L. Lewis, Executive Director
University of Maryland
Academic Achievement Programs

5. SUCCESS
Dear AAP Friends, Supporters and Alumni:
“Whatever the mind can conceive and believe...can be achieved.” That’s the motto we live by in
the University of Maryland Academic Achievement Programs (AAP).
Why? Because we’ve seen the magic of education make it happen so many times before.
We take students who would most likely not be admitted into the University if evaluated solely
on traditional criteria such as standardized test scores and financial means, and provide them
with the life-changing opportunity to earn a degree at UM.
AAP looks deeper, identifying potential in young people who otherwise might not get a chance
to attend college. They can be first-generation college students, come from low-income house-
holds, or have a disability that has been holding them back.
Today, however, AAP faces new challenges—challenges that reflect society as a whole. As the
gap between the wealthy and the poor continues to grow, the need for our services increases.
But as our costs continue to rise, and funding is either reduced or kept level, the resources we
a letter from the have available are limited. This is where you can help.
executive director Please take the time to learn more about what we do by reading this brochure and visiting our
Web site at www.aap.umd.edu. Be sure to examine the fascinating success stories of five
different students who have “conceived, believed, and achieved” because of the resources of
AAP and benefactors like you.
If you would like to make a donation, please complete and return the AAP Donation Certificate
at the back of this brochure. When you help us reach our goals, we can better help our students
achieve a lifetime of success.
Jerry L. Lewis
Sincerely,
Jerry L. Lewis
Executive Director
University of Maryland Academic Achievement Programs
P.S. To make a donation, simply tear off, complete and return the attached certificate in the
enclosed envelope. Or call the AAP office at 301.405.4736 for more information.

6. a rich history of success—
a future filled with opportunity
The roots of the Academic Achievement Programs (AAP)
department can be traced all the way back to 1967, when 19
University of Maryland-Upward Bound Program students were
provided academic instruction, along with financial and
counseling support services, under the newly formed Intensive
Educational Development Program (IED).
With the development of additional programs in 1990, all
were placed under the umbrella of the newly formed Academic
Achievement Programs (AAP), headed by Dr. Jerry L. Lewis.
Through the years, hundreds of low-income and first-
generation students have benefited from AAP, graduated
and gone on graduate school and successful careers.
Today, AAP maintains, coordinates, and provides leader-
ship, development and supervision for five academic programs
conceive. believe. achieve.
(Student Support Services, Intensive Educational Development,
Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement, Summer
Transitional Program, and the Educational Opportunity
Center).
Though we receive state and federal government funding,
AAP also relies on the financial support of individuals like you
to continue our mission to meet the economic and educational
needs of our students.

7. The five departments of the Academic Achievement Programs (AAP):
• Summer Transitional Program (STP)
• Student Support Services Program (SSS)
• Intensive Educational Development Program (IED)
• University of Maryland Educational Opportunity Center (UM-EOC)
• Ronald E. McNair Post Baccalaureate Achievement Program
Who does AAP help?
For students to be eligible for the opportunity to pursue a
college degree through participation in AAP, the following
criteria are considered:
1. Low income status
2. First generation college student
3. Traditionally underrepresented students
Academic Achievement Programs Timeline
IED program delivery begins in the summer of 1968 with support services
First Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate First Educational
as a bridge program for the original 19 graduates of the University of
Achievement Program grant Opportunity Center grant
Maryland’s Upward Bound program
1967 1968 1972 1990 1991 1997 2006
UMD applied for and was awarded the first Student Academic Achievement
IED created as pilot program by AAP moves to its first permanent home
Support Services grant; IED and SSS form collaborative Programs established
Dr. Julia Davison, Dr. George in over 30 years—Marie Mount Hall
partnership to address cognitive and affective
Marx, Dr. Thomas Magoon and
developmental needs of students
Dr. Stanley Pavey

8. the summer transitional program (STP)
A djusting to college life on both academic and personal levels can
seem overwhelming to many students. AAP students face even
greater stressors. That’s why successful completion of all Summer
Transitional Program components is a requirement for every student
entering the University through Student Support Services/Intensive
Educational Development (SSS/IED) Programs.
This six-week program helps students prepare for college life and takes
place the summer prior to their Fall semester. Academic adjustment is
aided by:
• Skills enhancement in math, English, college study strategies,
and tutoring
• Participation in a three-credit university core course
• Enrollment in a one-credit college orientation course
conceive. believe. achieve.
• Weekly individual and/or group counseling
sessions
Simply stated, STP is a valuable, enriching tool in the
preparation, retention, graduation and success of all AAP
students.

9. a profile in believing and achieving
Sami Ashktorab
“I believe in AAP so strongly that I encouraged my sister, who has a great high school academic profile,
to enter the program when she starts college next year.”— Sami Ashktorab, Summer Transitional Program
S ome day in the near future, plans call for Sami students felt like they had already been through a
Ashktorab, originally from Shiraz, Iran, to be “practice game” when the Fall semester started, one
known as Dr. Sami Ashktorab. A graduate of the giant step ahead of other incoming freshmen.
College highlight— University of Maryland through AAP, Sami is now
The AAP staff played a significant role in guiding
attending medical school at George Washington Sami through the STP and even in giving her the
AAP provided me with University. ability to help her fellow students. She was “on the
an amazing overall
It all started with one little postcard she received job” her first semester of her freshmen year, in one
experience and I hope
from AAP after applying for traditional admission case helping a fellow biology student jump from an
through the knowledge
to the University. Sami answered the AAP outreach “F” to an “A” in his next examination.
I have gained I can be of and came in to meet with the staff and to take a
Says Sami, “AAP helps turn children into mag-
assistance to others. placement test. She found the people she met to nificent adults, who care for their community, who
be serious about their work, caring toward their want to help others by furthering their education,
students, and dedicated to their mission. and who make our community better one person at
Sami’s sense of accomplishment started with a time.” And that’s a prescription for success.
completion of the Summer Transitional Program
(STP). Today, she says she and her fellow STP

10. the student support The Intensive Educational Development (IED)
and Student Support Services (SSS) Programs
services program (SSS) T he roots of AAP can be traced back to 1968 with the launch of the
state-funded IED program. Through the Federal TRIO and Upward
Bound efforts, IED was the first organization to enroll a significant
number of African-American students in the University.
the intensive educational When SSS gained Federal funding a few years later, it helped to expand
the counseling and academic services to low-income participants, allow-
development program (IED) ing IED to focus its resources on the cognitive skill enhancement classes
in mathematics, English, reading, college study skills and tutoring services.
Assisting incoming freshman to the University is certainly a vital role
of IED and SSS. However, their valuable support continues throughout
each AAP student’s time at the University, from their first year right on
through to graduation.
While the IED and SSS are funded through different entities and
maintain separate staff, their collaborative efforts and holistic approach
help to bring workshops, counseling and academic skill enhancement to
students in the following components:
• English
• College Study Skills
• Mathematics
conceive. believe. achieve.
• Tutoring Services
• Supplemental Instruction
• Counseling Services
• Academic Advising
Together, IED and SSS perform essential functions to back the AAP
mission of “providing services that enhance the academic potential and
personal growth of each student served.”

11. a profile in believing and achieving
Roy Koldar0
W orking 30 hours a week and trying to maintain your because of his summer introduction.
grades is a tough assignment for any high school
Roy has now made it through the demanding schedule of
student, let alone one whose first language is Hebrew. being an AAP student. He credits taking advantage of the
However none of that stopped Roy Koldaro from believing required tutoring, the help and guidance of the full AAP staff,
College highlight—
and achieving. and a special opportunity to study abroad in London for a
The son of Israeli parents, Roy had a cousin who graduated semester as several reasons for his success. In fact, while many
Being able to broaden my
from the University of Maryland. So, Roy took a chance and of Roy’s friends who entered the University through traditional
world view by studying in
applied, but his grades and SAT scores were not satisfactory means are going on to their fifth year, Roy is graduating in four.
London for a semester.
for traditional admission. That’s when he found out about AAP.
In addition to the pride of being the first in his immediate
In the summer of 2003, Roy got his wish and was family with a college education, Roy has already lined up a
admitted into the AAP Summer Transitional Program (STP), position with an internationally known consulting firm. And
which introduces students to college life and college work. One Roy’s not done with school. He plans to pursue his MBA
of the requirements for Fall admission is that students achieve a through his new company’s graduate degree program.
3.0 or higher GPA during their STP studies. Roy surpassed that
mark and felt he had an advantage over new students in the Fall
“AAP has provided me with opportunities that nobody else could have
provided. I’m very grateful and encourage the full support of AAP.”
— Roy Koldaro, IED

12. The Ronald E. McNair
Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program
T hrough AAP, the University of Maryland Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate
Achievement Program is designed to prepare low-income, first generation and
traditionally underrepresented students to pursue doctoral studies.
Full-time University juniors and seniors who wish to pursue doctoral studies, enhance
their skills to prepare for graduate study, participate in undergraduate research with
faculty members, and meet overall program requirements are eligible to apply. The
program offers services which include, but are not limited to:
• Preparation for graduate school admissions tests
• Academic counseling, tutoring and mentoring
• Summer research internships, which may include monetary stipends along with free
room and board
• Faculty-guided research and mentoring
conceive. believe. achieve.
• Assistance with identification and acquisition of graduate school financing
• Advanced writing classes
• The opportunity to present original research at national forums and academic
conferences
This McNair program at the University is one of approximately 167 such programs
nationwide and serves a very important function in preparing AAP students for doctoral
programs.

13. a profile in believing and achieving
Chryl Laird
“McNair is often the break minority and other students need to get a chance in a graduate program.
This program must be funded!” — Chryl Laird, The Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program
F itting into a certain group has not always been as clear as Chryl credits the University’s McNair program as an
black and white for Chryl Laird. Growing up the daughter outstanding experience through its innovative coursework and
of working-class Jamaican parents, Chryl’s ethnicity was often a research projects, dynamic faculty, and comprehensive prepara-
College highlight—
challenge for her peers to overcome—but not for her. tion for Graduate School. Some of her fondest moments took
place outside the classroom, through interaction with a varied
While Chryl and her family dreamed of a college degree,
group of fellow students whose ethnic and academic diversity, Being selected as the
their financial situation made that goal seem unattainable.
drive to succeed, and discussions about a wealth of topics 2005 commencement
However, through scholarships, financial aid and good grades,
opened her mind to a world of possibilities. speaker for the College
Chryl was able to attend the University of Maryland—one
of Behavioral and Social
mission accomplished. Chryl’s McNair experience is ongoing, as she was accepted
Sciences.
for a full five-year Fellowship to obtain a Ph.D. in Political
Chryl’s AAP story begins while she was already attending
Science from Ohio State University. Her research area is
the University. During a 2004 summer program for minority
Race and Politics with an emphasis on Minority Youth Political
students, she heard about the Ronald E. McNair Post-
Participation and Civic Engagement. She aspires to be a Political
Baccalaureate Achievement Program and how it helped
Science professor, supporting her ideal of a strong minority
low-income, first-generation students pursue Doctoral
presence in academia.
degrees.
The Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program

14. conceive. believe. achieve.

15. a profile in believing and achieving
Laura DiTizio
“AAP and the McNair program have made it possible for me to achieve my academic goals.”
— Laura DiTizio, The Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program
Being diagnosed with a learning disability at an early age can be Student Support Services supplemental grant aid that helped her
an overwhelming obstacle to the growth of any child. Not so for meet rising tuition costs.
Laura DiTizio, a recent University AAP graduate and Ronald E. Laura moved off campus after her freshman year, and found
College highlight— McNair Post Baccalaureate Achievement Program student. that her car expenses and living expenses were just too great.
Instead, Laura tossed aside any labels, worked very hard, and Through determination and sacrifice, she began living on a boat
Meeting the many graduated from South Carroll High School in just three years. in Annapolis to save money! After all she says, “Living on the
challenges I faced and Though she excelled in her scholastic achievements, Laura water is free!” That highly unusual step allowed her to get back
struggled with the rigors of standardized testing and faced the on her feet. She then entered the McNair program which
being able to pursue my
possibility of not being able to fulfill her dream of attending provided her with housing and a food card to live on.
doctoral degree.
college. Through Laura’s determination, the continued assistance
With her sister in the second year of the AAP program, of the AAP staff, and the direct challenges posed by Executive
Laura was aware of its benefits, applied and was admitted herself. Director Dr. Jerry Lewis, she became an outstanding AAP success
She then began the demanding Summer Transitional Program. story and set her sights on a doctoral degree through the
McNair program. She is now attending the University of
Those weren’t the only demands she would face. Due to
Wisconsin in pursuit of her Ph.D. in Family Studies with a full
financial circumstances, Laura’s parents could not help her with
first-year assistantship and an AOF fellowship to follow.
books and bills. Laura’s participation in AAP made her eligible for
The Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program

16. the educational
opportunity center (EOC)
T he Educational Opportunity Center is the newest addition to the many
services provided by AAP. Created by a grant from the U.S. Depart-
ment of Education in 1997, the EOC provides information and assistance to
low-income, first-generation college-bound citizens of Prince George’s County
age 19 and older to gain admission and obtain financial aid for post-secondary
education enrollment.
EOC has seen substantial growth over the last decade and now assists more
than 1,000 adults per year in:
• Enrollment or re-enrollment in post-secondary education
• Guidance and counseling in the post-secondary admissions process
• Academic, personal and career counseling
• Assistance with completing the FAFSA application and securing financial aid
for students through various resources
• Referral to community agencies to complete the GED process
conceive. believe. achieve.
The EOC main office is located in New Carrollton
and maintains additional office space and staff on campus
within the AAP facility.

17. a profile in believing and achieving
Joel Solorzano
EOC “I am a prime example of how, through the help of AAP programs,
anything is possible.”— Joel Solorzano, EOC
F or Joel Solorzano, the natural born son of El Salvadoran future. Another friend, who Joel later married, helped put
parents, simply graduating from Bladensburg High into perspective what an important opportunity this was.
School as a Latino student required overcoming many The rest, as they say, is AAP history.
serious obstacles.
Joel began attending UM in the summer of 2000, at first
Joel persisted, and following graduation he went right feeling awkward and out of place as an “older” student.
into the workforce. College was just a passing dream. As Through hard work, many sleepless nights, and the help
a few years passed, a friend told him about the Academic of AAP staff, tutors and classmates alike, he accomplished
Achievement Programs Educational Opportunity Center what once seemed unimaginable.
and the opportunities available.
Joel received his Bachelor’s Degree amid tears of joy
College highlight— Joel followed the advice of EOC Counselor Edna from friends and family. He is currently the Assistant
Gonzalez-Velazquez and submitted his application to the Director of a camp for children. His new dream is to
Taking part in a study abroad University of Maryland. After a few months of anxious continue his education and receive a teaching certificate
course with a host family in waiting, the good news came—he had been accepted so that he too can help out as many children as possible.
Lesotho, South Africa. into AAP’s STP program and given two days to decide his

18. AAP gets high ratings
for retaining and graduating students
Retention rates surpass national average
Through hard work, dedication and your help, students in AAP seize
Exceptional student graduation rates
the opportunity to earn a college education. That’s why the program’s
first-year retention rates meet or exceed those of the general student
Based on available data, the University’s AAP program also surpasses the na-
population and those of similar programs across the nation.
tional averages for graduating students of like programs in their 4th, 5th, and
6th years of study, including a 62.2% 6-year rate in the ’01/’02 school year.
AAP National Avg. UM New, First
Retention Rate SSS Program Time Student
After One Year* One-Year First Year AAP SSS/IED 4 year 5 year 6 year
Retention Rate ** Retention Rates* Program grad rate grad rate grad rate
2001 98.10% 74.6% 91.90% 1998-1999 11.5% 36.9% 47.7%
1999-2000 16.3% 41.3% 51.0%
2002 94.00% 75.1% 92.70%
2000-2001 19.4% 52.0% 62.20%
2003 95.30% 75.7% 92.60%
2001-2002 22.2% 53.7% n/a
2004 92.10% n/a 92.60% 2002-2003 14% n/a n/a
2005 93.50% n/a 91.70%
conceive. believe. achieve.
National Average 4 year 5 year 6 year
Based on most current available data
of SSS Programs grad rate grad rate grad rate
enrolled in original
institution
1998-1999 10.8% 22.2% 28.0%
1999-2000 10.5% 23.0% n/a
Based on most current available data
*Source: University of Maryland IRPA, 2007
** Source: An Interim Report on The Student Services Program: 2002-03 and
2003-04, with Select Data from 1998-2002, U.S. Department of Education, 2007

19. AAP Donation Certificate
Name_______________________________________________
help make a brighter tomorrow for AAP students Address______________________________________________
City___________________________State_______ZIP________
…make a donation today Phone ( ) ______________________________________
UM graduate? Yes____ No____
AAP alumnus? Yes____ No____
Year of graduation _____________
Email address ______________________________________
While they are hardworking individuals, many students in AAP simply have very limited resources to
fund their college educations, requiring significant financial assistance and unrealistic loan burdens.
YES, I want to help AAP students achieve their goals!
Now, helping a student in need is easy, and you can even choose which area your donation will help.
Here is my tax-deductible donation to the following area:
You can elect to contribute to…
q AAP Student Book Fund
1. The AAP Student Book Fund q AAP Study Abroad Fund
q Michele Angyelof Memorial Scholarship Fund
2. The AAP Study Abroad Fund
q AAP Fund for Daily Operations
3. The Michele Angyelof Memorial Scholarship Fund, or
Donation Amount $________________
4. Help AAP meet daily expenses to continue to assist students at the highest possible level
Method of Payment: q Visa q MasterCard q Discover
To make your donation today by credit card or check, please complete the attached reply card, fill
Credit Card #________________________________________
out the appropriate information, and then return it in the enclosed postage-paid envelope.
Expiration date: ________________ Amount: ______________
For more information on how you can help, please call the University of Maryland Academic
Signature ___________________________________________
Achievement Programs Department at 301.405.4736. You can also visit our Web site at
http://www.aap.umd.edu. OR, I have enclosed a check/money order made payable
to the University of Maryland, Academic Achievement Programs.
Please detach this card, complete it and return it with your
payment in the enclosed postage-paid envelope.
Changing academic potential
Thank you!!
into academic success.

20. Academic Achievement Programs
2110 Marie Mount Hall
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
http://www.aap.umd.edu
301.405.4736 Telephone
301.314.9794 Fax
Special thanks to Associate Provost for Academic Affairs and Dean for
Undergraduate Studies, Dr. Donna Hamilton, for support of this publication.