Rise Together Programming
Rise Together programming provides critical college and career readiness for high achieving, first-generation, low-income students that allows students to thrive in college and the workforce. Our predominantly first-generation, low-income college student mentors work directly with high school students so they can ask questions, clearly understand financial aid and scholarships, have access to resources, gain academic support, develop social and emotional skills and visualize an attainable path toward the career opportunities available to them after graduation.
400+Rise Together High School Students admitted to colleges and universities around the country as of 2021, including the University of Virginia, Duke, UNC Chapel Hill, Yale, Brown, UC Berkley, Boston College, Northeastern, Amherst College, and more. Vertical Divider
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94%The Summer 2021 Senior Cohort 16 out of 17 seniors received full financial aid and scholarship packages to at least one of the schools they applied to. Including: 1 UVA Walentas Scholar 2 QuestBridge Finalists 3 POSSE Finalists Vertical Divider
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100%Of Rise Together seniors felt confident in their ability to represent their authentic voice on their college applications after programming. Additionally, 100% of seniors felt Rise Together empowered them to manage the college application process. |
Challenge
1-in-4 students lack the presence of a consistent role model that can guide them toward achievement in and outside the classroom.
In the face of the ever changing world that has contributed toward increased personal challenges; inspiration, guidance and genuine mentorship are the most powerful resources we can provide to the youth in our country.
In the face of the ever changing world that has contributed toward increased personal challenges; inspiration, guidance and genuine mentorship are the most powerful resources we can provide to the youth in our country.
This program provided me with an amazing mentor who helped me brainstorm, draft, and ultimately perfect my college essays. Without her guidance as a college students and support in researching colleges for me, I don't think my essays and expectations would be where they are now. I am also thankful to Rise Together for giving me confidence through this program and allowing me to listen to other like-minded students either in high school and college. I personally want to thank my mentor, Rachel, for being so interested and involved in my success."
Carla, Senior Pathways Mentee, 2021
Yale University Freshman, Fall 2022
Educators and Families Need Help
According to data from the U.S. Department of Education National Center for Education Statistics, the 2019–2020 national student-to-school-counselor ratio was 424:1."
American School Counselor Association
This trend impacts our school communities and the future of young adults striving to become the first in their family to graduate from college. Although the college enrollment rate for these students is up to approximately 79%, it is estimated that only 14% of low-income students graduate from college.
The direct financial impact: "Nearly two million students a year drop out of school and never earn a degree, many with substantial student loan debt that could haunt them the rest of their lives." (The Bridge)
"Educational and professional role model effects appear to be especially strong when role models are of the same gender or race as the person being influenced."
Melissa S. Kearney and Phillip B. Levine
