One hundred graduates of La Trobe University's Regional Pathways Program for secondary school students will receive further support in their transition to tertiary education thanks to a generous $1 million investment.
The significant contribution by the McCall-MacBain Foundation will establish the new PEAK Scholars Program, short for Pathways to Education and Knowledge, providing 100 scholarships over three years for students attending one of La Trobe's four regional campuses.
In addition to financial support, the PEAK Scholars Program will deliver targeted mentoring, leadership development and priority access to networking opportunities.
The Canada-based McCall-MacBain Foundation is known for its global investment in education and first supported the Pathways program with a $300,000 gift in 2023.
La Trobe Pro Vice-Chancellor (Regional) Associate Professor Melanie Bish said the University was deeply grateful for the Foundation's generous support.
"This gift will help us close the gap in higher education participation between regional and metropolitan communities," Dr Bish said.
"The impact of the Regional Pathways Program since 2023 has been evident. Seventy per cent of participants are now pursuing higher education. This is a significant increase as we know fewer than 15 per cent of adults in Mildura and Shepparton hold a university degree.
"With the PEAK Scholars Program, La Trobe can build on this success and empower even more young people to reach their potential."
Philanthropist John McCall-MacBain praised the impact of La Trobe's Regional Pathways Program, noting its success in dramatically increasing the number of regional students progressing to university.
"In some high schools, only 10 to 15 per cent of students were going on to university; with the Pathways program that's jumped to 65 to 70 per cent. You don't often see that level of impact," John said.
"Talent is everywhere but opportunity is not. Our job is to bring opportunity to talent and I think La Trobe is doing this well, by going into regional high schools."
Emma Morrison knows firsthand the difference the program makes. She joined the Regional Pathways Program during year 12 at Wodonga Senior Secondary College in 2019, a decision she said had transformed her life.
"Having current university students at the time who could talk about the opportunities locally completely shifted my view on everything," Emma said.
"I like to say it changed my life. I know it's cheesy, but I wouldn't have gone to university straight away and I'm still at university now. My life would be completely different if I hadn't participated."
Following the program, Emma went on to complete a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) at La Trobe's Albury-Wodonga campus and is now Senior Coordinator of the Regional Pathways Program for senior schools, while completing a PhD.
"When I was in year 12, I needed someone to give me reassurance and just help me along the way, so when this offer came up to coordinate, I thought it's my opportunity to be that person for others. It's incredibly rewarding," Emma said.
Compelled by the data and success of the Pathways program, the McCall-MacBain Foundation's new commitment extends the program's reach with a focus on regional leadership.
For Emma, this new mentoring component of the Pathways program will help incoming university students establish a sense of belonging earlier.
"It really reiterates to graduates of the Pathways program that we don't just disappear after year 12, we are still here for them once they complete high school," Emma said.
PHOTO: (L-R) Rizzalyn Joyce Ann Evangelista, Jude Mussared, Associate Professor Melanie Bish (La Trobe Pro Vice-Chancellor), Braydon Vogel and Aruna Majhi.
