Our first student is Lakeisha Henry of Howard University. PYT began working with Lakeisha in the summer of 2017. After Lakeisha left school for multiple semesters due to a lack of financing, PYT was able to help her re-enroll for the spring 2019 semester. However, she needs an additional $10,000 to stay on track for graduation in the spring of 2020. Click here to donate via Lakeisha’s PYT profile!

Here are some key facts about Lakeisha:

• Originally from Guyana, Lakeisha came to the United States for educational opportunities to pursue a career in the legal profession. After two years at a Prince Georges Community College in nearby Largo, MD, Lakeisha enrolled at Howard University for the 2016-2017 academic year.

• Lakeisha has excelled in her classed at Howard. She is currently a junior majoring in Sociology and minoring in Business Administration with a
  7 grade point average (GPA).

• During her time at Howard at PGCC, Lakeisha has held multiple internships in law and government. She interned in the Maryland House of Delegates and the International Law Institute. She has also served in leadership roles among student workers for the Howard University Development and Alumni Relations Office.

• Lakeisha is incredibly committed to giving back to her community and providing opportunities for underprivileged children. Prior to leaving Guyana, Lakeisha worked with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports to launch BRIDGES, a non-profit program to support teenage girls in the country.

Click here to learn more about Lakeisha Henry!

When PYT began working with Lakeisha in the summer of 2017, she had displayed academic excellence, but lacked the financing needed to continue her studies. PYT worked extensively through the financial aid process over many months to help her continue her studies and finish her degree. Here are several of the ways PYT supported Lakeisha in her efforts to finish her studies:  

• Initially, PYT worked with our lender partners to try to find a private student loan for Lakeisha. Unfortunately, due to a lack of co-signer, she was unable to qualify for a traditional private student loan 

• Frustrated by the process and lacking the requisite funds, Lakeisha took some time off from Howard, but dropping out was never in her plans. A prior due balance was a hurdle, but dropping out was never in her plans, and Lakeisha sought to re-enroll in school in 2018-2019.

• PYT worked in coordination with multiple offices at Howard University, including the financial aid office and the bursar’s office, to ensure Lakeisha could resume classes. PYT helped Lakeisha and her family with payments on the prior due balance until she was able to re-enroll for the 2019 spring semester.

• PYT will continue to assist Lakeisha in her efforts to obtain the financing she needs to graduate. In addition to creating her PYT profile, Lakeisha has committed to searching for scholarships and other higher education funding opportunities on a weekly basis as she continues her studies. 

PYT is proud to support the Lakeisha Henrys of the world in pursuit of our mission to combat college dropouts, and we look forward to sharing their individual stories with you in the coming months. If you would like to learn more about our work with students, please contact