Melissa Caperton, director
During the 2018 American College Application Campaign, a record-breaking 7,109 high schools reported hosting college application completion events. And we’re thrilled to share those host
Zahra Aalabdulrasul, student, University of Iowa
Applying for college was definitely a difficult experience for me during my last couple years of high school. Since I started high school, I was
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
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
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
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
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
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
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,
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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,
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
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,
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
