Sikelela Scholars: Scaling Support to Help University Students Graduate

Many university students are dedicated to earning a degree that will help them accelerate their careers and unlock opportunity for their families. For students with limited resources, it can be challenging to access the support services that will help them succeed academically and graduate on time.

To bridge this gap and apply learnings from the successful implementation of the Dell Young Leaders program at the University of Pretoria, the Sikelela Scholars program was created. By piloting an innovative model of holistic support services, the program connects students receiving financial aid with personalized support and existing resources to help them stay on track to graduate.

We worked with the University of Pretoria to expand existing personalized support services. Through an on-campus team and the integration of technologies developed for the Dell Young Leaders program, the Sikelela Scholars program proactively identifies student needs and efficiently connects them to the necessary university resources for success.

Services include:

• Proactive check-ins: Regularly assessing student needs and guiding them to helpful resources like workshops or one-on-one sessions.
• Academic support: Offering help with exam prep, study skills, and connecting students to faculty or advisors for extra assistance.
• Financial counseling: Providing financial advice and coordinating with the student finance office.
• Wellness programs: Connecting students to therapy or counseling and supporting their well-being through self-care roundtables.
• Career readiness: Assisting with CV writing, interview practice, and preparing students for their careers.

Sikelela Scholars provides students with a sense of belonging through regular check-ins and personalized guidance, helping them navigate university life. Over the past eight years, this proven holistic support model has become a comprehensive blueprint for student success, and with the University of Pretoria now scaling the program, thousands more students will benefit from its impact.