UofH launches its flagship Social Mobility Project

With generous support from the Tami Foundation (Steinmetz family), the Office of the Dean of Students recently launched the campus-wide Social Mobility Initiative. The flagship program provides students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds with a comprehensive package of financial, academic, and social support services throughout their studies. “We had an overwhelming response from students for this new program,” noted the Dean of Students Prof. Jenny Kruman. Members of the 30 student pilot group represent the full spectrum of Israeli society – Israeli born Jews, new immigrants from Ethiopia, and Arab students from different religious groups. “All of them are first-generation university students from peripheral towns in their first academic year. It is also interesting to note that this diverse group of students are pursuing a wide range of degrees from computer science, law, education, social welfare and the health sciences.” Prof. Roni Strier, Academic Chair of the program and Dr. Adi Sapir of the Faculty of Education will lead a research team to assess the impact of the program on students’ academic achievements and later into their inclusion and integration in the Israeli workforce. In addition, the initiative plans to set-up a Knesset lobby group that will advocate to establish these types of programs throughout the country.