Jheanelle Johnson, freshman, Howard University
This is the second of three blogs featuring current college students who participated in American College Application Campaign events. Why did you apply to college?
Omolola Ahnaman, Ph.D. candidate and ACT Scholar, University of Iowa
In celebration of a decade of the ACT Scholar program, we are highlighting our ACT Scholars and their education journey. Read more about the program
Shamira Rothmiller, Ph.D. and ACT Scholar
What was your motivation for going to college and earning a degree? My motivation for going to college and earning a degree was inspired by
Dina Horwedel, director of public education, and David Bledsoe, student engagement & communications manager, The American Indian College Fund
A lack of culturally appropriate resources for Native students launched a new line of publications by the American Indian College Fund. After the College Fund
Dr. Danna Diaz, superintendent of schools, Reynolds School District
November 8 was National First-Generation College Student Day. It’s a day to recognize and celebrate the efforts of first-gen students, as many have had to
Jaimie Gua, program director, TEDNA
For Native schools, sovereignty in education – the power or authority to govern or self-rule – is critical to their success. How does TEDNA support
Colleen Gillis, academy development manager, and Stefani Falkowski, digital marketing manager, NAF
As the nation grapples with the ongoing pandemic, the rise of racial justice protests across the country, deadly fires on the West coast, and an
MorraLee Keller, director of technical assistance, National College Attainment Network
Remote learning isn’t just for students this year! Last month, the National College Attainment Network (NCAN) unveiled their new-and-improved e-learning system for educators. Fundamentals for
Taylor Scudder, teacher, Northwest Junior High School
What was your motivation for going to college and earning a degree? Who inspired or supported you in your college-going journey? When thinking back about
Cheryl Holcomb-McCoy, Ph.D., dean, School of Education American University and director, Center for Postsecondary Readiness and Success
Two pandemics—COVID-19 and racial injustice—have the U.S. in a state of reckoning. This summer’s spread of COVID-19 and murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Rashard
Adrienne Enriquez, statewide initiatives and strategic partnerships, Oregon GEAR UP and Oregon Goes to College state campaign coordinator
Every community faces barriers preventing students from going to college, but the challenges our rural communities have faced year after year may provide guidance for
Cheryl Crazy Bull (Sicangu Lakota), president & CEO, American Indian College Fund
The American Indian College Fund has helped Native students access higher education for more than 30 years. We’ve made incredible progress in that time, with
Stephanie Sprow Owens, director of programming, Reach Higher at the Common App
College Signing Day is very special to Reach Higher. In spring 2014, our team planned the first national College Signing Day. Former First Lady Michelle
Bryan Contreras, vice president, K12 & education partnerships, myOptions
It’s been about three years since I walked the halls of a high school and was able to lend an ear and share sound advice
Dr. Cassandra Herring, president and CEO, Branch Alliance for Educator Diversity
In California, shelter in place orders closed schools in March and, more recently, for the rest of the school year. Across the country, hundreds of
Elizabeth Kiss, warden, Rhodes House and CEO, Rhodes Trust
When Cecil Rhodes outlined his vision for the Rhodes Scholarship in his will, he stipulated that a Scholar should be selected for “his qualities of
John Branam, executive director, Get Schooled
What is the #WeBelongInCollege campaign? #WeBelongInCollege is a highly interactive, impactful social media campaign that encourages students to share a story about a time when
Edward Smith-Lewis, executive director, Institute for Capacity Building, UNCF
On the day of my high school graduation, an article about my life made the front page of the San Francisco Chronicle. “Education was His
Mirra Anson, director, Academic Support and Retention, University of Iowa
The system is designed to get the exact results we are getting. I heard a statement like this several years ago at a national conference.
Cheryl Williams, vice president, Women’s Congressional Policy Institute
Why did you choose an HBCU? Both of my parents attended Howard University, an HBCU, so I was very familiar with what HBCUs had to
Tiffany Jones, Ph.D., senior director for higher education policy and Andrew Nichols, Ph.D., senior director for higher education research, The Education Trust
As we celebrate Black History Month and the vast contributions of African Americans to this country, let’s not forget the struggles and inequities that continue
Maya Cade, senior account manager, Verified Strategy
Perhaps we all know that 25 percent of degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) obtained by Black Americans are from Historically Black Colleges
Dr. Harry L. Williams, president & CEO, Thurgood Marshall College Fund
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are congressionally defined as “…any historically black college or university that was established prior to 1964, whose principal mission
Jahshua Smith, program supervisor-Metro Detroit Region, AdviseMI
This blog reposted with permission from Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) and originally appeared here. The spirit of Black History Month has been ingrained in
Laura Ross, school counselor, Five Forks Middle School, and 2020 ASCA School Counselor of the Year
February 3-7, 2020 is National School Counseling Week. In recognition of the incredible role that school counselors play, we’re featuring school counselors who have been
Katherine Pastor-Lorents, school counselor, Flagstaff High School, and the 2016 National School Counselor of the Year
February 3-7, 2020 is National School Counseling Week. In recognition of the incredible role that school counselors play, we’re featuring school counselors who have been
Elizabeth Yaddof, community engagement consultant and Keyli Keifer, community outreach representative, Iowa College Aid
January is National Mentoring Month and in celebration of that, we are featuring a series of guest blogs from professionals regarding the importance of mentoring.
Stefani Falkowski, digital marketing manager, NAF
January is National Mentoring Month and in celebration of that, we will feature several guest blogs from professionals regarding the importance of mentoring. This National
Ignacio Ruiz, assistant superintendent of the English Language Learner division, Clark County School District and president/founder, Nevada Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (NVALAS)
January is National Mentoring Month and in celebration of that, we will feature several guest blogs from professionals regarding the importance of mentoring. What is
Brittani Williams, financial aid and career development specialist, Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance
January is National Mentoring Month and in celebration of that, we will feature several guest blogs from professionals regarding the importance of mentoring. What is
Erik Stegman, Carry the Kettle First Nation (Nakoda), executive director, Center for Native American Youth, Aspen Institute
During the month of November we recognize Native American Heritage Month by introducing you to a group of innovators and leaders who move us forward
Stephanie J. Waterman (Onondaga, Turtle Clan), associate professor, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE)
During the month of November we recognize Native American Heritage Month by introducing you to a group of innovators and leaders who move us forward
Stephanie Owens, director of programming, Reach Higher at the Common App
This past summer at the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) Guiding the Way to Inclusion conference, one of my co-presenters started her PowerPoint
Erick Danielson, vice president of programs, Iowa College Access Network
Over the course of this past month we’ve shared important information from financial aid experts about how their organizations are tackling this incredibly important step
Gerrick Hampton, Ed.D., associate director for student affairs, South Carolina Commission on Higher Education and South Carolina College Application Month state coordinator
What is College Application Month South Carolina? College Application Month South Carolina, or CAM SC, is South Carolina’s adaptation of the American College Application Campaign.
Jamie Covell, community engagement consultant, Iowa College Aid
Over the course of this month, you’ll hear from financial aid experts about how their organizations are tackling this incredibly important step in the college-going process.
Brittani Williams, financial aid and career development specialist, Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance
Over the course of this month, you’ll hear from financial aid experts about how their organizations are tackling this incredibly important step in the college-going process.
Jessica Martinez Vasquez, University of Colorado-Boulder graduate
September 15-October 15 is traditionally observed as Hispanic Heritage Month. This month, we are featuring guest bloggers who are sharing their stories of what it
Bill Rinkenbaugh, vice president of student services, Butler Community College
Over the course of this month, you’ll hear from financial aid experts about how their organizations are tackling this incredibly important step in the college-going process.
Jennifer McNabb, director Project Connect, Mount Mercy University
As students across the nation head back to the classroom this month, we are celebrating First-Generation students. A First-Generation College Student is defined as a
Daniel Lobo, assistant director of career services, Harvard College
As students across the nation head back to the classroom this month, we are celebrating First-Generation students. A First-Generation College Student is defined as a
Adam Burke, communications specialist II, ACTNext
The name of the game was collaboration this spring when ACT’s Center for Equity in Learning and ACTNext teamed up to conduct a study of
Eliza Byard, executive director, GLSEN
There have been many changes in the education landscape since GLSEN was formed in 1990, but throughout the decades, one thing has remained the truest:
Ellen Kahn, director of children, youth, and families programs, The Human Rights Campaign Foundation
How has HRC been involved in education issues? The Human Rights Campaign is the nation’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve full equality and
Gregory Kienzl, principal strategist, and Michelle Croft, principal research associate, ACT
The following blog is reprinted with permission from the Education Commission of the States. The blog originally appeared on EdNote. As a means to paying
Jen Rowray, president, PFLAG CR
What does PFLAG do? Our local mission is to advocate and offer support to local LGBTQIA People and their families. We run two support groups
Shannon Hayes, policy analyst, State & Federal Policy
I recently attended the release event for the newest (2018) edition of the Opportunity Index, an annual report that presents a snapshot of successes and
Cassi Barker-Carr, principal strategist-diversity, inclusion, and multiculturalism
This blog originally appeared on act.org. Prior to becoming the Principal Strategist for Diversity and Inclusion at ACT, I spent more than two decades as
By Bill DeBaun, director of data and evaluation, National College Access Network (NCAN)
Summer melt is a phenomenon by which postsecondary-intending students fail to matriculate in the fall following high school graduation. This pernicious scourge is one whose
Jim Rosemond, associate director of Undergraduate Admissions, Clemson University
The college decision-making process has really changed since I was a high school student. These days, students have so many options to get the information
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
Ruth Ray Jackson, associate vice president for academic affairs, Langston University
Here’s to strong women. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them. -Unknown Several years ago, I saw this quote posted
Dr. A. Katrise Perera, superintendent, Gresham-Barlow School District
When I reflect on my formal education – and my leadership journey to lead a community of learners as the superintendent despite statistical disparities and
Brian Coleman, school counseling department chair, Jones College Prep High School and 2019 School Counselor of the Year
What are some of the challenges in school counseling today? The most persistent challenges I see are: Imbalanced counselor-to-student ratios. The absence of school counselors in
Lisa King, Senior Communications Specialist, American College Application Campaign
In January, ACT announced that the American College Access Campaign (ACAC), previously housed at ACE, was becoming part of ACT’s Center for Equity in Learning.
Shannon Hayes, policy analyst, State & Federal Policy
Anyone involved in education can tell you that there are starkly disparate outcome patterns, on a number of different measures, for students of different races
Lew Montgomery, program director
What is the ACT U Lunch Buddy program? ACT U Lunch Buddies is a program guided by our partnership with the Iowa City Community School
Greg Ratliff, VP
This blog originally appeared on act.org. Just as I started high school in 1976, President Gerald R. Ford signed a proclamation declaring February as Black
Kirsten Perry, K-12 school counseling specialist, Chicago Public Schools
February 4-8 is National School Counseling Week. We are highlighting the important work school counselors do and the challenges they face in schools today. What
Bre Kenney, freshman, St. Mary’s University
January is National Mentoring Month. Mentors can play an important role in young peoples’ lives and the need for mentors has never been greater. This
Ashtin Wade, senior, Early High School
ACT recently hosted a convening, which gathered together several postsecondary institutions who are participating in the U.S. Department of Education’s Pell Grants Dual Enrollment Experimental
Victoria Guerrero, junior, Early High School
ACT recently hosted a convening, which gathered together several postsecondary institutions who are participating in the U.S. Department of Education’s Pell Grants Dual Enrollment Experimental
Susan C. Faircloth, Ph.D. (Coharie), professor & director, School of Education, Colorado State University
“Don’t they know we’re [American Indians] still alive?” As an adult, I’ve grappled with this question many times. More often than not, I’m ashamed to
Dinée R. Dorame (Navajo), associate director, College Horizons
College Horizons is a nonprofit organization that encourages and facilitates the higher education of Native American, Native Hawaiian, and Alaska Native youth. This year marks
Kim Cook, executive director, National College Access Network
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or the FAFSA, is the key to unlocking federal, state, and institutional aid to help pay for college.
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
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
Andrew Cantine, manager, ACTNext Publications & Communications
From October 3‒4, ACTNext convened its annual Education Technology and Computational Psychometrics Symposium (ETCPS) in Iowa City, a recognized hub for innovative psychometric research. The
Cheryl Crazy Bull (Sicangu Lakota), president & CEO, American Indian 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
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
Oscar Miranda, student, George Mason University
I am a first-generation immigrant and college student. I come from a small poor town in Guatemala where opportunity and a future look dim and
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
Shannon Hayes, policy analyst, State & Federal Policy
There are currently 492 Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) in the United States—up from 189 just over two decades ago—which collectively comprise 15 percent of American colleges
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
Raeal Moore, PhD, senior research scientist, and Dan Vitale, policy editor, ACT
Imagine going to school and being asked to complete a homework assignment that requires you to search for material online and write a brief summary
By: John H. Pryor, researcher, Pryor Education Insights LLC Evidence has been mounting to show the positive outcomes for college students engaging in experiential education
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: 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: Martha Kanter, Executive Director of the College Promise Campaign, and Yanelle Cruz, Policy and Development Fellow, College Promise Campaign At the College Promise Campaign,
By: Tom Vander Ark, CEO of Getting Smart, contributor to Education Week This article originally appeared on June 18, 2018 in Education Week and Getting
By: Dr. Martha J. Kanter, Executive Director, College Promise Campaign Why National Community College Month? Community colleges change lives and build productive, happier, and healthier
Maya Cade
By: Maya Cade-Special to ACT’s Center for Equity in Learning My first introduction to the concept of paying it forward was watching the 2000 feature
Alina von Davier, president, ACTNext
This post was first published on ACT’s Blog on 3/15/18 Last week marked International Women’s Day. Recognizing such an important day allowed me to reflect
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
