COLLEGE TRACK AND NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY LAUNCH INNOVATIVE SEMESTER ZERO PROGRAM

Oakland, CA – July 22, 2024] – College Track, the leading national organization dedicated to supporting the academic and personal growth of first-generation and underserved students, is excited to announce its collaboration with Northern Arizona University (NAU) to launch the Semester Zero program. This new program launched earlier today on NAU’s Flagstaff campus, marking a pivotal moment in the university’s commitment to equitable student access, readiness, and academic success.

Semester Zero will provide a unique, immersive experience for more than 350 College Track scholars from across the United States who will spend a week living on and fully immersed in NAU’s stunning mountain campus. This program offers participants the opportunity to engage in rich learning experiences and connect with peers, fostering a sense of community while promising an inspiring start to their path in higher education.

“I was thrilled to join with College Track President & CEO, Dr. Shirley M. Collado, to welcome the inaugural cohort of Semester Zero Scholars to NAU’s Mountain Campus earlier today”, said Northern Arizona University President, José Luis Cruz Rivera.  “I saw a room full of bright young minds who were feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. I am confident that by the end of this weeklong immersive college life experience, guided by the incredible teams here from College Track and NAU, these Scholars will walk away confident in their ability to go to college and reach their full potential. This model of collaboration with College Track is just another example of NAU’s drive to be the nation’s preeminent engine of opportunity, vehicle of economic mobility, and driver of social impact in Arizona and beyond.”

The partnership between College Track and NAU reflects a shared vision for equitable access to higher education and a deep commitment to student success. As institutions focused on transformative learning experiences, both parties understand the value of a strong start to the college journey.

“Semester Zero represents a vision of educational equity that leverages the strengths of learners and leaders from across our nation’s academic landscape, setting the standard for how nonprofits and institutions of higher education can partner to effect real change for talented and underserved students,” said Dr. Shirley M. Collado, College Track President & CEO. “I am incredibly grateful to NAU and President Cruz Rivera for co-designing this innovative program with College Track. Because of our collaboration, our rising juniors have the opportunity to not simply imagine themselves as part of a higher education community—but live it.”

With an array of academic and wellness workshops, and community-building activities over the five-day program, Semester Zero is designed to ignite a passion for learning, promote self-efficacy, and prepare students for a successful transition to college life. By participating, College Track scholars embark on a formative experience that will resonate throughout their academic careers and contribute to their professional and personal success. 

About College Track
College Track’s mission is to democratize potential by equipping students confronting systemic barriers to earn a bachelor’s degree in pursuit of a life of opportunity, choice, purpose, and power. Today, more than 4,000 College Track high school and college students from underserved communities in California, Colorado, Louisiana, and the D.C. Metro Area are moving toward their goal to become the first in their family to earn a bachelor’s degree. Across the nation, our 1,100 alumni embody a vision of equity rooted in possibility and progress. Ninety percent of our students are first-generation college students, and 84 percent are from underserved communities. They earn their bachelor’s degrees at more than two and a half times the rate of their first-generation peers. To learn more about College Track and the impactful work being done to support first-generation and underserved students, visit collegetrack.org.

About Northern Arizona University (NAU)

NAU is a community-engaged, high-research university that delivers an exceptional student-centered experience to students in Flagstaff, at 22 statewide campuses, and online. The university aims to be the nation’s preeminent engine of opportunity, vehicle of economic mobility, and driver of social impact by delivering equitable postsecondary value in Arizona and beyond.  Through its impactful academic programs and enriching experiences, NAU is committed to meeting talent with access and excellence, paving the way to a better future for the diverse students it serves and the communities they represent.

Media:
Kimberly Ott, kimberly.ott@nau.edu
Christy R. Johnson, crjohnson@collegetrack.org