On Sept. 27, Brandeis students received an email from Carol Fierke, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, which stated that the Myra Kraft Transitional Year Program (MKTYP) was changing its name to the Myra Kraft Achievers Program (MKAP). In addition, Provost Fierke announced that the program is to change its format—now allowing students in the program to complete their degrees in four years.
According to Fierke’s email, the updated program “will continue to provide the cohort-based support and intensive advising that has been effective in ensuring student success previously, and is complemented by streamlined curricular offerings.” Elaborating on the changes made to the program, Fierke explains that “[in] addition to the MK Achievers-specific coursework in writing and social science, participants will begin completing Brandeis Core requirements, taking electives, and working on their majors in their first year.” This will, according to the email, enable MKAP students to complete departmental course requirements within four years rather than five. “As in the past,” adds Fierke, “MK Achievers will continue to participate in social events and community-building activities with their cohort, supporting strong connections within the program.”
The email further states that the changes made to the program “have been informed by instrumental feedback from current and prior program participants, and members of a visiting team of external experts.”
According to Brandeis’ website, the MKAP was founded as the MKTYP in 1968, centering students “who have developed the skills for college success by practicing leadership in their life experiences.” The website states that the MKAP helps students within it learn to apply the skills they have learned through their life experiences to an academic environment. “In other words,” it summarizes, “we are a program geared towards making good students, even greater!”
According to the website, “More than 1,000 MKAP alumni have gone on to become distinguished professionals and renowned public servants. Graduates include acclaimed journalists, lawyers, scientists, physicians, politicians, entrepreneurs, activists, educators, artists, authors and researchers.”
