College Track

College Track. College Track is a national nonprofit organization that empowers students from underserved communities to graduate from college. Founded in 1997, the organization provides a comprehensive, decade-long program of academic support, leadership training, and financial advising beginning in high school and continuing through college graduation. It operates centers in several communities across California, Colorado, Louisiana, and the Washington, D.C. area, partnering with school districts and local institutions to deliver its services.

History

The organization was co-founded in 1997 by entrepreneur and philanthropist Laurene Powell Jobs and journalist Carlos Watson, with its first center established in East Palo Alto, California. The initial model was developed in partnership with students and families in the local community to address systemic barriers to higher education. Early support came from the Emerson Collective, an organization focused on social change. Throughout the 2000s, it expanded its footprint, opening centers in San Francisco and Oakland, California, and later into new regions including Sacramento, New Orleans, Colorado, and the Denver area. A significant national expansion phase began in the 2010s, guided by strategic plans to increase its scale and deepen its impact, leading to the establishment of sites in Los Angeles, Aurora, Colorado, and Prince George's County, Maryland.

Program model

The program model is built on a ten-year commitment, starting when a student is in the ninth grade and continuing through college graduation. Its core components are organized into three foundational pillars: academic affairs, student life, and college affairs. The academic affairs team provides intensive tutoring, SAT preparation, and guidance on course selection to ensure strong high school performance and college readiness. Student life programming focuses on leadership development, community service, and wellness, often through partnerships with organizations like the YMCA. The college affairs team offers personalized counseling on the college application process, financial aid, and scholarship opportunities, including support for navigating the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Once in college, dedicated advisors provide ongoing coaching to promote persistence and degree completion.

Impact and outcomes

Independent evaluations, including studies by researchers from Stanford University, have shown that participants graduate from college at rates significantly higher than the national average for students from similar socioeconomic backgrounds. The organization publicly reports annual data on metrics such as high school graduation rates, college enrollment rates, and six-year college graduation rates. Its alumni have gained admission to and graduated from a wide range of institutions, including the University of California system, Howard University, Spelman College, and Louisiana State University. Beyond degree attainment, outcome measurements also track postgraduate employment rates and alumni engagement in their home communities, with many graduates pursuing careers in fields like education, public health, and technology.

Funding and partnerships

Primary financial support comes from a mix of private philanthropy, corporate partnerships, and foundation grants. Major supporters have included the Ballmer Group, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, and the Kresge Foundation. The organization also engages in collaborative partnerships with local entities such as school districts, community colleges, and public universities to align resources and services. Corporate partners like AT&T and Google have provided both funding and volunteer support for specific initiatives, including STEM programming and digital literacy workshops. These strategic alliances are crucial for sustaining the intensive, long-term support offered across all its regional sites.

Leadership and recognition

The organization is governed by a national board of directors composed of leaders from education, business, and philanthropy. As of 2023, the chief executive officer is Shirley M. Collado, a former president of Ithaca College. Past leadership has included influential figures in the education reform movement. The program's model has received recognition from entities such as the White House under the Obama administration and has been featured in publications like The New York Times and Forbes. It has also been the recipient of awards from groups like the National College Access Network for its innovative approach to increasing college success rates among first-generation college students.

Category:Non-profit organizations based in California Category:Educational organizations established in 1997 Category:College access programs in the United States