Elizabethtown College’s Momentum program celebrated a successful 2025-26 academic year, marked by growth and meaningful impact for first-generation and Pell-eligible students. For the 16th consecutive year, the program has met its goal of achieving a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher for Momentum students in every semester.
Momentum welcomed its largest-ever first-year cohort to campus this past fall, with 91 students joining the voluntary, no-cost program that provides Blue Jays with resources and support to ease the college transition process.
“Momentum students bring so many dreams, ambitions, and talents to the Etown community,” Elizabethtown College Director of Student Transitions and Momentum, Leda Werner, said. “It’s an honor for the Kinesis mentor team and me to walk alongside these students as they begin their college journey, discovering and affirming their path for the future. We are proud of the determination, resilience, and growth shown by students in the Momentum program.”
Student feedback from a year-end survey reflected the program’s impact as 90% reported that Momentum helped them successfully transition to their first year at the College, and 90% said they are better off as college students because of the program.
“Being part of Momentum has taught me my way around campus and all the resources available. Momentum has also helped me become more confident and helped me feel like I belong here at Etown,” Karen Caraballo ’29, a Criminal Justice major, said.
A team of 18 Kinesis peer mentors – sophomore, junior, and senior Momentum leaders who meet weekly with first-year Momentum students – provided impactful support, contributing nearly 1,200 mentoring hours. Five Kinesis mentors graduated as part of Etown’s Class of 2026, with one already securing a job offer and four pursuing graduate or Ph.D. programs.
“Having someone to ask all of my questions to has been so valuable for me. Even if my mentor doesn’t know the answer, she will know how to find it, and I am never left without help on something,” Kai Glick ’29, an Engineering major, said.
About the Momentum Program
The Momentum Program supports first-generation and Pell Grant-eligible students during their first year at Etown, helping them build community, achieve academic success, and set and reach personal and professional goals.
Momentum helps students navigate the unknowns of college life through one-on-one mentoring, connections to campus resources, and intentional community-building.
Each student is paired with a Kinesis peer mentor for weekly meetings throughout the academic year. The program fosters a strong sense of community and prepares students to achieve academic success, pursue internships, take on leadership roles, gain admission to graduate programs, and launch fulfilling careers.
The Momentum Program is partially funded by the Dr. Carl R. ’57 and Mrs. Rachel Keller ’58 Spease G’18 Momentum Program Endowment and the Paul Dohner Becker ’68 and Nancy Graybill Becker Endowment Fund for the Momentum Program. Discover more about Etown’s impactful Momentum program.
