We Are #ThankfulForEquity
Amber O'Connor, program manager
Thanksgiving time is upon us. It seems to come back around quicker each year. With so much going on in the world today, we wanted
Posts For Tag: "First-Generation Students"
We Need American Indian and Alaska Native Educators
Susan Faircloth, Ph.D. (Coharie), professor & director, School of Education, Colorado State University
Growing up, I was certain I would never be an educator. I dreamed of being a lawyer, FBI agent, world traveler – anything but a
Parent Education Fairs Bring Information to Hispanic Families
Lori Swartzendruber, program manager
According to the 2018 ACT Condition of College and Career Readiness report, students who meet at least one underserved criterion (first-generation college student, low-income, or
Closing Attainment Gaps at Native-Serving Institutions
Ken Pepion (Blackfeet), senior project director, WICHE
Recognizing the widening gaps in the postsecondary attainment of American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) compared to majority students, the Western Interstate Commission for Higher
College Fund Creates Pathways for Native Student Success
Matthew Makomenaw (Grand Traverse Bay Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians), College Pathways manager, American Indian College Fund
The demand for a college degree in the workplace is increasing, putting Native Americans at a disadvantage. With only 13.8 percent of American Indian and
We Are Still Here: Indigenous Students and College Equity
Cheryl Crazy Bull (Sicangu Lakota), president & CEO, College Fund
Equity, access, and visibility for and of indigenous peoples is the heart of the American Indian College Fund’s mission. We believe deeply in the power
The Power and Promise of “Indigenuity”
Jim Larimore (Comanche), chief officer
Native American Heritage Month is observed in the month of November. We will feature stories from Native Americans, or institutions who serve them, and their journeys, their struggles,
Improving College Readiness Requires Equitable Access to Resources and Opportunity
All students must have access and opportunity to reach their full potential. Ensuring that students have access to a high quality, holistic education that will
The Power of College Matching: Charting a Course to Graduation
Jasmine Pachnanda, chief college officer, Alliance College-Ready Public School
Alliance is one of the largest and most successful nonprofit charter school networks in the nation, operating 25 high-performing, public charter schools that educate 13,000
I Never Stopped Fighting For That Degree
Renzo Reyes, consulting analyst, Accenture
Ever since my family and I immigrated to this country from Peru, my main objective was to receive a good education. Anytime I tried to
Insights From the Road: Roadtrip Nation Beating the Odds Documentary
By: Amy Nicknish, program manager Imagine what it’s like to be homeless as a child and going from one foster family to the next with
Vamos a seguir adelante (Let’s keep pushing forward)!
Alex Casillas, principal research scientist, ACT
September 15-October 15 is traditionally observed as Hispanic Heritage Month. We will feature stories from Hispanic Americans who will share their journeys, their struggles, and
Celebrating the College Application Season
By Melissa Caperton, director, American College Application Campaign September means the start of a new school year, football season and college application season. The American
Juan Garcia: Teachable Moments Only Made Me Stronger
By: Juan Garcia, director, Client Relations September 15-October 15 is traditionally observed as Hispanic Heritage Month. We will feature stories from Hispanic Americans who will
Audra M. King: Be open to possibility and to people who are different than you
By: Audra M. King, events coordinator, University of Iowa Center for Advancement As students across the nation head back to the classroom, we are celebrating
Insights from Corinne, Faika, and Nikki
By: Shannon Hayes, Policy Analyst, State & Federal Policy As students across the nation head back to the classroom, we are celebrating First-Generation students. A
Katie Gragnaniello: Don’t worry so much about where you fit in
By: Katie Gragnaniello, Manager, Policy Communications, State & Federal Policy As students across the nation head back to the classroom, we are celebrating First-Generation students.
Tina McCoy Hearn: Growing up First-Gen in the Rural Midwest
By Tina McCoy Hearn, director for social impact, ACT’s Center for Equity in Learning As students across the nation head back to the classroom, we
Karolyn Trumpold: Parental support early helps children succeed
By: Karolyn Trumpold, program coordinator, Talent Strategy As students across the nation head back to the classroom, we are celebrating First-Generation students. A First-Generation College
Kim Bauer: Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t
By: Kim Bauer, director, Implementation Services As students across the nation head back to the classroom, we are celebrating First-Generation students. A First-Generation College Student
Savanah Schott: Breathe and do your best
By: Savanah Schott, senior program manager, State Engagement As students across the nation head back to the classroom, we are celebrating First-Generation students. A First-Generation
SEL, resources are keys to success
By: Christian A. Latino, Alex Casillas, PhD Prior research tells us that several pieces of student information, such as high school GPA and ACT Composite
Ada Woo: Try to learn something from everyone around you
By: Ada Woo, senior director, Strategy Implementation and Operations, ACTNext As students across the nation head back to the classroom, we are celebrating First-Generation students.
Nate Scheib: I recommitted myself and went back to school
By: Nate Scheib, recruiter, Talent Acquisition As students across the nation head back to the classroom, we are celebrating First-Generation students. A First-Generation College Student
Reflections from Machia: The Summer Before I Attend College
As students across the nation head back to the classroom, we are celebrating First-Generation students. A First-Generation College Student is defined as a student whose
Teresa Niner: I wanted to have more opportunities
By: Teresa Niner, senior manager, Benefits & Wellness, Talent Strategy As students across the nation head back to the classroom, we are celebrating First-Generation students.
Becky Bobek: I loved learning
By: Becky Bobek, director, Learning, Assessment, & Navigation Experiences Research As students across the nation head back to the classroom, we are celebrating First-Generation students.
First Generation College Students Face Challenges in Achieving a Degree
By: Alex Casillas, Principal Research Scientist, Design-based Research, ACT The number of first generation college students (FGCS) in the United States is higher than many
Connections Help Prevent Summer Melt
By: Amber O’Connor, Program Coordinator Summer melt, the phenomenon of students who have applied to and been accepted to college and don’t show up for
Bravado, Basketball, And Back-To-School For Sophomore Year
By: Jim Larimore, Chief Officer for the Center for Equity in Learning, is a guest contributor for the Reach Higher initiative When LeBron James steps
College Signing Day: Supporting Student Success!
By: Katie Gragnaniello, Manager, Partner Communications Again this year, we were thrilled to support and be part of College Signing Day in Philadelphia on May
You Belong: Yolanda Norman Inspires First-Generation College Students
We are honored and excited to have our friend, supporter, and advocate for first-generation college students, Yolanda Norman, share her experience about being the first
Mentorship: The Power of Investing in Others
We are thrilled to have our friend Eric Waldo, Executive Director of the Reach Higher initiative, share his experiences with his mentee, Verlando Brown. Eric
Mentorship: A Significant Role in a Student’s Journey
We are excited to have Dr. Laura Owen, our friend and the Director of the Center for Postsecondary Readiness and Success at American University, guest blog
First Generation College Students Benefit from Accelerated Learning and Financial Aid
By: Alex Casillas, Ph.D., Principal Research Psychologist and Christian A. Latino, Research Assistant, ACT Demographics in the U.S. are changing. Today, most first-generation college students,
Center for Equity in Learning at ACT Focused on Underserved and Working Learners
Earlier this week, STEMx interviewed Christina Gordon, Senior Director at ACT’s Center for Equity in Learning to learn more about the Center and the work we
Underserved Learners Lag Far Behind Peers in College & Career Readiness According to 2017 ACT Score Results
IOWA CITY, Iowa—Underserved students lag far behind their peers when it comes to college and career readiness, and the more underserved characteristics that students possess,
Beating the Odds Summit: A Conversation with Michelle Obama
Katie Gragnaniello, Manager, Partner Communications
Last week, Jim Larimore, Amy Nicknish, and I had the opportunity to sit with Former First Lady Michelle Obama at the Beating the Odds Summit
Celebrate Students who Reach Higher: #CollegeSigningDay
College Signing Day is this Friday, and we are excited to celebrate students who have made their college choices. We’re marking the day by wearing
Guest Blog: Dr. Laura Owen on School Counselors
We are delighted to have Dr. Laura Owen from American University guest blog for us on the important role of school counselors, the barriers they
Scholarly Giving: Get in Formation
Christina Gordon, Senior Director
Beyoncé’s announcement that she would be marking the one year anniversary of her groundbreaking Lemonade album by launching Formation Scholars to, “encourage and support young
Mentoring Matters
Lori Swartzendruber
Several years ago I worked for Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS). I was a School Buddy Specialist, which meant that I matched adult volunteers with
How you can help underrepresented students “Aim Higher”
Juan Garcia, Senior Director, ACT Center for Equity in Learning
I’ve given many presentations to educators, especially concerning students who are commonly labeled “underrepresented.” I like to work the crowd when I speak, and there’s
ACE’s American College Application Campaign Gears Up for Continued Growth, New Collaborations
The American College Application Campaign® (ACAC) this fall expects to reach hundreds of thousands of students in nearly 6,000 high schools across the country, focusing