About Us
Young Scholars’ Institute (YSI) is located just off of Route 29 and 1 block from the State House Complex. Housed in a stately converted mansion with ample private parking, YSI is a year round 501(c)(3) nonprofit, after school learning center that provides educational, cultural and recreational activities for students in grades Pre-K through twelve. Young Scholar’s Institute was established in 1990 in Trenton, New Jersey and has been serving area youth for 30 years.
YSI was founded by Jerri Morrison who recognized the need for supplemental support for students to have a successful school and college career. YSI was established to provide remedial, supplemental and enrichment programs that are needed in the Trenton area. Since 1990, with generous financial support from the Harbourton Foundation and other foundations, corporations and individuals, Mrs. Morrison has led YSI’s mission to empower Trenton-area youth through educational, recreational and cultural activities to help them develop the skills necessary to excel academically and to maximize their academic, vocational and career choices.
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YSI programs include a pre-school, virtual and in-person tutoring, virtual and in-person book clubs, Reading Adventures with the Deltas, a summer enrichment program, college tours, S.A.T./ACT preparation classes, a career speaker series, college admissions workshop and Toastmasters, Inc. (public speaking) and more.
Leadership
Jerri Morrison is the Founder and Executive Director of Young Scholars’ Institute. She is a former English teacher at Trenton Central High School and a teacher of French and English at Bridgeton Middle School in Bridgeton, NJ. She also taught English and conducted race relations workshops at NMH Summer School in Northfield, MA. Ms. Morrison also taught an education course at The College of New Jersey. Other work experience includes her role
as a former Associate Director of Admissions and Coordinator of Minority Recruitment at Princeton University and employment by Educational Testing Services (ETS) as a test developer.
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Mrs. Morrison was born and raised in Trenton, NJ. She attended Trenton Public Schools and graduated from Trenton Central High School. She attended Shaw University in Raleigh, NC. where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in French with a minor in English. She holds a Master of Arts in French from the University of Kentucky. She also studied at the Université Laval in Quebec City, Canada. Mrs. Morrison completed the Educational Leadership Program for Aspiring Principals at the University of Pennsylvania. She also received a certificate of completion from the Prudential Fellows Program for Nonprofit Executives at Rutgers University.
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Mrs. Morrison has received numerous awards for service to the community including the New Jersey Governor’s Teacher Recognition Award, the Teacher of the Year Award at Trenton Central High School, the YWCA Woman of Achievement Award, the National Conference for Community Justice Award, the Trenton Branch of the NAACP Trailblazers’ Award and the Metropolitan Trenton African American Chamber of Commerce Award.
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Mrs. Morrison is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Trenton Alumnae Chapter. She serves as President of the Deaconesses Board at St. John’s Baptist Church in Ewing, NJ. She is also a member of the Urban League Guild of Union County, Trenton Chapter. Mrs. Morrison is married to Trenton Central High School guidance counselor, Randy Morrison. They have three sons.
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Monique Coleman is the Administrative Assistant. She is a Trenton native and a YSI alumna. Monique attended Notre Dame High School, Northfield Mt. Hermon School and Connecticut College for her academic studies. She has been working with YSI for six years now.
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Ariana Love is the Program Coordinator.
Dr. Ruppert Hawes – President
Jonathan Amar, Esq. – Vice President
Steve Smotrich – Treasurer
A. Princess Gladman – Secretary
Dr. LaShona Bridgewater
Edward W. Bullock
Angela J. Dickerson
Rev. Ethan Evans
Michael Ford
Dr. Andrea Lynch
Gary Gray
Krystle Pianka
Young Scholars’ Institute Board of Trustees
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Hours of Operation
Summer Office Hours
Sunday – Closed
Monday – Closed
Tuesday – 10:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday – 10:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Thursday – 10:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Friday – Closed
Saturday – Closed
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Academic Year Office Hours
Sunday – Closed
Monday – 10:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday – 10:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday – 10:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Thursday – 10:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Friday – 10:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Saturday – Closed