Accessible Education

Lorraine’s Leaders program aims to increase access to college for economically disadvantaged students

 

A passionate advocate for making college more accessible to disadvantaged students, Lorraine DeStefano Tegan ’63 would be proud of the new program her family has established in her name. A $365,000 gift from the Tegan family will launch Lorraine’s Leaders in summer 2023, a comprehensive college planning and coaching program for rising high school juniors and seniors from economically disadvantaged backgrounds who are interested in pursuing health care or science careers.

Geared specifically for first-generation, low-income students, the immersive program will include a college-level health sciences class, six-week college preparatory science course, and 10-day residency program at Regis to introduce students to college life. The goal is to help students navigate the college selection and admission process, including financial aid. The program will be free of charge to accepted students and includes a stipend to ensure that students who rely on a summer income can participate.

A former Regis trustee, Tegan is the late spouse of former Board of Trustees Chairman John J. Tegan Jr., who made a campaign gift to name the Lorraine DeStefano Tegan Learning Commons at Regis in 2014. She was a first-generation college student and devoted her career to teaching math.

“Lorraine’s Leaders seeks to narrow the gap between economically advantaged and disadvantaged students in navigating the college selection and admissions process,” said Tegan’s daughter Sarah Tegan Hogan. “My mother inspired countless young people to fulfill their dreams through education. We are proud to continue her legacy and make college more accessible for young people from diverse backgrounds.”