Programs to Support Underrepresented Students in HFA and SBS Receive Substantial, Multi-Year Gift from HFA Alumnus Chris Litster ’91 and Education Alumna Mary Litster ’93

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Chris and Mary Litster
Chris ’91 and Mary Litster ’93

The University of Massachusetts Amherst College of Humanities & Fine Arts (HFA) Opportunity Scholars program—as well as the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS) RISE program—have received a substantial, multi-year gift from Chris ’91 and Mary Litster ’93.  

Chris Litster ’91, a French major, and Mary Litster ’93, an education major, will use their generous gift to fund programming created for undergraduate students who identify as first-generation, BIPOC, and/or socioeconomically disadvantaged and the need to recognize and reward scholastic excellence and leadership.

"Mary and I are extremely proud alumni of UMass Amherst and are thrilled to support the Opportunity Scholars and RISE Program," says Chris. "UMass provided us—and now our youngest son—an incredible undergraduate experience.  We are honored to now be able to give back to our amazing alma mater."

The Litster’s annual investment, split between the two programs, will accelerate the development of the Opportunity Scholars and RISE programs by expanding mentoring opportunities for students and empowering each college to pursue goals that meet its students’ specific needs.  

Opportunity Scholars is a multi-year college readiness and success program that promotes personal and collective empowerment, scholarship, leadership, community engagement, and connection between UMass students and alumni and community cultural centers. First-year students participating in the program are a part of a cohort of historically underrepresented and/or first-generation students who take a seminar together in their first semester. 

“The Opportunity Scholars program fosters the skills that students need for college, helping them to succeed during their years at UMass. It gives students the chance to form a community, get to know each other, and support each other as they move throughout their college career,” says Cara Takakjian, associate dean of diversity, equity, and inclusion for HFA, who oversees the program. “Thanks to the generosity of the Litsters, HFA will now be able to expand the reach and impact of this meaningful program.  

Together with RISE, Opportunity Scholars offers: 

  • Leadership training through workshops and professional development activities; 

  • Funding for tuition and co-curricular high-impact practices like internships, service learning, study abroad, and undergraduate research; 

  • Shared community through assigned mentors and networking opportunities; 

  • Academic instruction, which provides academic rigor along with applied information for succeeding despite the challenges that our students may face; 

  • And applied experience through internships and job shadowing, including scholarships for unpaid or low-paying positions.  

These programs help students not only excel in their classes but thrive within the UMass Amherst community. Learn more about Opportunity Scholars or donate to the College of Humanities & Fine Arts. 

Article posted in Giving for Alumni