A Life of Opportunity, Choice, Purpose, and Power
Our Philosophy
At College Track, we firmly believe that a bachelor’s degree remains the best predictor of economic mobility, civic engagement, lifelong wellness, and self-agency. By serving students from low-income communities who will become the first in their family to graduate from college, we fulfill the promise of higher education for generations to come. Our work is rooted at the intersection of educational equity and racial justice, setting the stage for our students to thrive in careers where people of color have been historically underrepresented.
We must inspire all students to develop the belief that they have the ability, and responsibility, to influence their own destiny.
National research continues to demonstrate that the most powerful way for first-generation students from low-income communities to earn a life of opportunity, choice, purpose, and power is through higher education.
On an individual level, earning a bachelor’s degree is crucial for economic success, civic engagement, and lifelong wellness. More broadly, having an educated populace strengthens our citizenry and gives voice to our most vulnerable communities.
The Organizational Focus
From the very beginning, College Track focused on supporting students with limited resources to chart their course to college. We quickly realized the importance of getting students through college.
Over the last 25 years, we’ve broadened our program to address the growing college completion gap, making a 10-year commitment to each and every student we serve.
The State of the Union
The national college completion gap has directly contributed to the greatest income inequality in our country’s history. At the rate we’re going, less than one third of America’s youth will be able to participate in the 2020 economy.
A bachelor’s degree is one of the most valuable tools we have to democratize access to the 21st-century workforce and meet the needs of a diversifying population. We know we can all do more to make sure today’s students have what they need to realize their potential and contribute their gifts to the world.
0%
of Americans from the lowest income quartile receive a bachelor’s degree by the age of 24
0%
of Pell-eligible students who enroll in college will graduate
0
new jobs will be added to the American economy over the next two years
0%
of those jobs will require post-secondary education
Potential Realized
We are honored to work with students on their educational journey from freshman year of high school until they walk across the stage at college graduation.
Our students realize an immeasurable transformation and return to their communities to share with younger generations that there’s nothing holding them back from greatness.
Every passing day, their persistence, creativity, and extraordinary discipline fuels and motivates us to work harder and continue making the dreams of a four-year college degree a reality for America’s youth.
The Time is Now
Our work to equip first-generation students with the tools to reach their potential is more important now than it’s ever been.
If we want to solve the tough problems facing the world–climate change, disease, poverty–look no further than a first-generation college graduate. Look to the College Track student.
We are working towards a world where our students reach beyond the limits of what we knew was possible. We’ve only just begun to scratch the surface of understanding the full potential of what our college graduates can achieve. With your investment, their impact on the world is limitless.