Inspiring a Movement to Democratize Potential
A Letter from Our President & CEO
“Our movement to democratize potential is gaining momentum. Last year, we hit a milestone number of 5,000 College Track scholars and alumni. 5,000 talented, driven young people from underestimated communities who have either achieved their dream of earning a bachelor’s degree or are on their way toward that goal. We understand that vast potential lies within each of our scholars. That the desire to go to college exists—but so do systemic barriers that make it more difficult, more challenging for them to find success… Last year, the United States Supreme Court decided to end race-conscious admissions in higher education—putting yet another barrier in place for scholars such as ours. Moments like this affirm the critical importance of our work—and mobilize us to double down… That’s why we make a 10-year promise to every one of our scholars, standing beside them for a decade as they navigate a path through high school and college, and into their careers… Our scholars and alumni have us on the edge of our seats. And we can’t wait for the future.“
In community and with deep gratitude,
Shirley M. Collado, Ph.D.
Join our Movement:
Explore our journey in the 2022-2023 Annual Report
College Track Voices
Inspiring words from
our co-founder
“At some point in all of our lives, we must ask ourselves what happens when you confront an unacceptable reality. Do you act, or do you look away? I chose the former.”
Laurene Powell Jobs
College Track Co-Founder, 2021 Commencement speech for University of Pennsylvania
Ringing in a New Chapter
“College Track has a longstanding tradition of having seniors ring a bell and announce where they’ve been accepted, as all the other s
cholars and staff cheer them on. Started in College Track’s inaugural center in East Palo Alto (EPA) around 2002, the tradition began with a cowbell that students would ring while sitting on a chair that staff called “the throne.” Bernadette Butler, College Track’s former National Director of Individual Philanthropy who was EPA’s Academic Affairs Director at the time, says: ‘We really just wanted to make it clear to all the scholars what a special moment this was—the end of one stage of their journey and the beginning of a new and exciting one.’”
Senior Earns 43 College Acceptances
“Deciding which college to attend is an important decision in the lives of our scholars, which involve various factors such as family expectations, financial aid packages, location, and more. For College Track New Orleans scholar Paris, the decision-making process became all the more complicated when 43 college acceptances flooded her inbox—and counting. What’s even more incredible is that her institutional financial aid and scholarship offers exceeded $2 million, with the most generous offer coming from Jacksonville State University at $128,000 for all four years… Paris began applying to colleges in August after polishing her personal statement during College Track’s weeklong College Prep Institute in June… After submitting 160 applications and carefully considering her options, Paris has committed to attending her dream school…” Find out what college Paris is attending.