College Track in Northern California
Since the 1980s, Northern California has become a global center for technology and entrepreneurship. Yet in the region’s largest metropolitan areas, less than one third of residents have the educational credentials necessary to participate in its booming economy.
In 1997, College Track was founded with 25 students in the heart of East Palo Alto. Today, more than 2,400 students from communities throughout Northern California, including East Palo Alto, Oakland, San Francisco, and Sacramento are setting a new standard for what students in the region can achieve.
With the combined efforts of students, families, and partners, we are inspiring a new generation of leaders throughout the Bay Area, our state capitol, and beyond.
Our Regional Impact
0
scholars and alumni
0%
from low-income households
0%
first-generation
0%
matriculate to a two- or four-year college
“I remember those early days in the East Palo Alto center like they were yesterday. Today, that first class of 25 students and a thousand more are out in the world proving that no one’s ZIP code should define their future. As College Track’s first employee, I couldn’t be more proud of our scholars and what they’ve been able to achieve, in partnership with so many communities across the country.”
—Marshall Lott, Vice President, Site Support, and Founding Executive Director, College Track East Palo Alto
Our Career Discovery Externship Program
In 2018, College Track Northern California became the first region to develop a Career Externship Discovery Program (CDE) that would both support students on their professional journeys and leverage the expertise of our incredible corporate partners.
Since then, students across the region have participated in day-long visits with partner host companies. The day’s activities are specifically designed to provide college students with opportunities to engage with company staff, learn about possible career pathways, develop a professional network, experience a corporate environment, understand how to prepare for interviews, and explore available internship or job opportunities.
Learn more and contact us to become a CDE partner!
Our Regional Partners
We are lucky to partner with some of Northern California’s most prestigious businesses, foundations, corporations, and educational institutions to see young people capitalize on their potential, through the power of education.
Bay Area Local Advisory Board
Sharawn Tipton (Chair) Chief People Officer, LiveRamp
Dillan Arrick New York Regional Director, Girls Leadership
Dave Atkin Orthopedic Surgery Specialist, SOMA Orthopedics Medical Group
Amy Dornbusch General Partner, Willowtree Venture Fund, LP
Peter Doyle Associate, Accel
Shanna Frati Community Leader
Rod Hall Managing Director, Goldman Sachs
Cynthia Keeley Independent Education Management Professional
Sacramento Local Advisory Board
Nathan Torinus (Chair) Founder | CEO | Wealth AdvisorFounder, TOR Wealth Advisors
Brian Dean Sacramento Market Leader, Northern California Commercial Banking, U.S. Bank
Billy Downing Chief Executive Officer, Stravos Education, LLC
Nathan Esch Vice President | Finance, CVC Construction
Akosia Robinson College Track Parent

Terrence Shelton Vice President | Learning & Development, Golden 1 Credit Union
Leroy Tripette Government Affairs Representative, SMUD
Bay Area Young Professionals Board
Lexi Burbey (Chair) Investment Banking Analyst, DBO Partners
Michelle Chan Audit and Advisory Senior, Deloitte
Laura Falkner Clinical Development Engineer, Intuitive Surgical
Amanda Fulii Web Product Manager, PG&E
Andy Mitchell Wealth Management Professional, Goldman Sachs
Alejandro Miyai Audit Senior, Deloitte
Jake DellaPasqua Investment Banking Analyst, DBO Partners
Helen Lord Data Scientist, Genentech
Andy Wang Financial Analyst, Cisco Systems
Eva Larsen Life Sciences Consultant, ZS Associates
Zoe Bhargava Financial Analyst, Twitter
Kaleigh Flowers Consulting Analyst, Deloitte
Contact Our Team
For general inquiries or donations:
- Individuals Bernadette Butler, National Director of Individual Philanthropy, bbutler@collegetrack.org
- Corporations, Foundations, Government, and Other Groups Nicole Embury, National Director of Institutional Philanthropy, nembury@collegetrack.org
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