History of the UF Division of Student Affairs | Page 86

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For the first three years of the program, MFOS was managed by a support
committee of 7 campus administrators. In 2009, in order to achieve greater
success and connection with the scholars, a Program Director was hired. Because
first generation, low-income students require more than scholarship dollars to
successfully navigate college, in addition to the $15 million annual scholarship
budget, MFOS receives a programmatic budget of $30,000. The programmatic
budget supports peer mentors for each MFOS student, financial literacy
education, career preparation, and leadership development opportunities
among other opportunities to build social connections. The 2014 – 15 budget
included the addition of an assistant director and graduate assistant.
To d ay
The Machen Florida Opportunity Scholars Program supports low-income
students who are first in their families to attend college. UF is committed to
financially supporting academically-talented students who might not otherwise
attend UF because of financial barriers. National studies have shown that
students from low socio-economic backgrounds can be deterred from enrolling
in a four-year college or university because of fear of debt and concerns that
working while in school could hamper their chances for academic success. To
date, the Machen Florida Opportunity Scholars Program has supported over
2,900 students since the program’s inception.
Leadership
F l o r i d a O ppo r t u n i t y S c h o l a r s
Committee of 7 Administrators

2006 - 2009

Director
Leslie Pendleton

2009 – 2013

M a c h e n F l o r i d a O ppo r t u n i t y S c h o l a r s
Director
Leslie Pendleton

H i s t o r y o f t h e UF D S A

2013 - present