Founding Executive Site Director Named for new Baltimore Ravens College Track Center

Baltimore, Md. (October 15, 2024) – College Track, a national comprehensive college completion program that makes a 10-year commitment to students from underserved communities who seek to become the first in their families to earn a bachelor’s degree, today announced the appointment of Charelle D. James, M.Ed. as the Founding Executive Site Director of the Baltimore Ravens College Track Center. With a distinguished career in education spanning over two decades, James brings a wealth of experience in leadership, teacher development, and student support. Her first day in this role will be October 28, 2024.

College Track operates 12 centers nationwide, supporting students from underrepresented communities with access to state-of-the art student centers and a team of educators to advise students through their academic and professional paths. College Track is currently identifying and securing the location for its new Baltimore facility.

“College Track takes pride in being ‘of’—not just ‘in’—our communities, understanding that each of our centers across the country cultivates authentic talent that can only be found there. This is one of the reasons why we are so excited to welcome Charelle as our Founding Executive Site Director in the Baltimore Ravens College Track Center,” said Shirley M. Collado, PhD., President & CEO of College Track. “Her vast leadership experience, her commitment to realizing the promise of first-generation and underserved students, and her deep roots as a native of Baltimore are an incredible asset to our new center and our organization as a whole. We are thrilled to welcome her to our team.”

Charelle D. James has dedicated her career to furthering educational equity and empowering communities. James holds a Master of Science in Education and a Certification in School Administration and Supervision from Johns Hopkins University, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in English from Spelman College. Most recently, she served as Interim Director of Volunteer Recruitment and Partnerships for Thread, where she led strategic initiatives to increase volunteer recruitment and retention across Baltimore.

“I am deeply honored to join College Track and lead the Baltimore site in collaboration with such outstanding partners,” said James. “My vision is to create an environment where our students not only succeed academically but also develop the skills and confidence to be change agents in their communities. The partnership with the Baltimore Ravens, M&T Bank, and Baltimore City Schools provides an invaluable network of resources to support our students on their journey to and through college.”

This past April, the Baltimore Ravens, The Stephen and Renee Bisciotti Foundation and M&T Bank Charitable Foundation donated $20 million to enable College Track to expand their operations in Baltimore and support Baltimore City Public School students throughout their educational journey from high school to their entrance into the professional world. As the program prepares to open its doors to students, James’s appointment signifies a bold step toward delivering impactful, equitable, and innovative educational opportunities to Baltimore’s youth.

“Education is one of the most critical investments we can make in our community,” said Augie Chiasera, M&T Bank’s Executive Vice President. “We are proud to have played a meaningful role in helping launch College Track in Baltimore, and now with the addition of Charelle James, we’re even more excited to continue our strong support for Baltimore City Public School students as they navigate the challenges and opportunities beyond.”

“Our support of College Track reflects our dedication to empowering the youth of Baltimore through collective efforts,” said Sashi Brown, President of the Baltimore Ravens. “With Charelle leading our Baltimore site, we are certain that students in this program will receive exceptional guidance, mentorship, and the essential resources necessary for success both personally and academically.”

As the Founding Executive Site Director, James will oversee the launch and growth of the Baltimore site, guiding students through College Track’s 10-year journey from high school to college completion. James envisions the site as a hub for educational opportunity and innovation in Baltimore.

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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.

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