OFFICAL STATEMENT, UPLIFT CEO YASMIN BHATIA:
February 11, 2016
“We are deeply disappointed about the events that occurred while our junior class of Uplift
Hampton scholars were touring the Texas A&M campus earlier this week as part of our robust
Road To College Program. We are proud of our scholars for the grace and composure with
which they responded to the college students who chose to engage in a disrespectful and
unacceptable manner. While we appreciate the swift response of the Texas A&M leadership, it
is my hope that we broaden the conversation at colleges locally and across the country about
increasing inclusion and cultural awareness programs so that all students can feel safe and
welcome regardless of their ethnicity. Currently only 8% of low-income students in the United
States graduate with a college degree within 6 years. At Uplift, we are laser focused on fulfilling
our mission of 100% college acceptance of our graduates (many of which are the first in their
families to attend college), and 70% earning a degree within 6 years. We as educators need to
come together for the betterment of all students and work collaboratively to ensure that all
students feel accepted and supported while in college. Our country and our future can only be
stronger through these students’ successes. Uplift Education looks forward to being part of a
broader solution by working with universities to create the best possible college environments
for the students we serve.”
About Uplift Education
Uplift Education is a is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization operating a network of 34 tuition-free, college
preparatory, public charter schools in Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Irving, Grand Prairie and DeSoto on
17 campuses. Uplift Education schools provide a rigorous, multidisciplinary curriculum, with an emphasis
on college preparation. Uplift Education educates nearly 14,000 students, with the majority being lowincome and minority students who will be the first in their family to attend college. Uplift schools are
public schools -- students are selected by a blind lottery with no information collected on their past
academic performance. For more information, visit uplifteducation.org or facebook.com/uplifteducation.
Media Contacts:
Sara Ortega, Public Relations Manager
sortega@uplifteducation.org
Cell: 806-786-5006