Greenhouse Scholars' Andra Pool Named One of Colorado's Most Influential Young Professionals by ColoradoBiz Magazine

BOULDER, Colo., Oct. 1, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Greenhouse Scholars, which provides comprehensive support for high-performing and under-resourced students, is pleased to announce that Chief Operating Officer Andra Pool has been named one of Colorado's Top 25 Most Influential Young Professionals by ColoradoBiz magazine. Pool, 32, was recognized for her ability to lead a growing non-profit, her dedication to entrepreneurship, and her focus on community service.

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"I am honored to be acknowledged by ColoradoBiz magazine," said Pool. "I view this recognition as a reflection on Greenhouse Scholars as a whole. Many extraordinary people support our mission by serving as mentors, annual donors, volunteers for fundraising events, and corporate and foundation partners. Together, this committed community has made it possible to invest in the inspiring students of Greenhouse Scholars. As a result, we are serving as catalysts of change in under-resourced communities and for future generations."

Among her accomplishments during her eight years at Greenhouse Scholars, Pool is focused on lasting results and quality programs. Examples of milestones for the organization include:

• GPAs: The current Scholars and achievements of those who have graduated include: Scholars who earn GPAs nearly 30 percent higher than other first-generation college students and volunteer at a significantly higher rate than all other college students. Fifty-five percent of Scholars founded an organization, event, or club, and 71 percent lead an organization on their college campus.
• Graduation Rate: Ninety-one percent of Scholars graduate from college compared to 11 percent of their peers. Greenhouse Scholars' graduation rate is eight times higher than other low-income and first-generation students.
• Post-Graduation Employment: Of the employed students following graduation, Greenhouse Scholars are overwhelmingly following their "career path" versus having to take "any available job." (i.e., Greenhouse Scholars 93 percent vs. other college students at 30 percent).
• Program Feedback from Scholars: The satisfaction survey identified 97 percent of Scholars scored the overall Greenhouse Scholars program as having a "high" to "very high" impact on their lives.

"Andra is someone who is resilient, accountable and highly capable across a myriad of responsibilities," said Pete Burridge, Greenhouse Scholars CEO and President. "Her positive leadership is a driver of our organization's success."

Prior to joining Greenhouse Scholars, Pool worked for the National Geographic Society's Education Foundation, where she helped with strategic planning and grant-making to increase geographic literacy for children. Her additional work experience includes the Center for International Environmental Law in Washington, D.C., as well as the economic section of the U.S. Embassy in Amman, Jordan.

Pool graduated cum laude from Dartmouth College with a major in geography and a minor in engineering. She completed her thesis on political and social impacts of water resource management in Turkey.

ColoradoBiz magazine honored the Top 25 Most Influential Young Professionals at its GenXYZ event held on Wednesday, September 25 at the Mile High Station in Denver. The October 2013 print issue of ColoradoBiz magazine features information about Andra Pool and Greenhouse Scholars (refer to page 27).

About Greenhouse Scholars

Founded in 2005, Greenhouse Scholars is a Boulder, Colorado-based non-profit providing comprehensive support for high-performing and under-resourced students from Illinois and Colorado. Through its "Whole Person" approach of intellectual, academic, financial and professional support, Greenhouse Scholars is committed to cultivating the next generation of community leaders.

Becoming a Greenhouse Scholar is a highly selective process. The students are from the most under-resourced communities: (for years 2012-2013) 72 percent of Scholars are the first in their families to attend college, and 40 percent of their families live below the poverty line. Yet they demonstrate extraordinary potential: their college GPAs are nearly 30 percent higher than their first-generation college peers, and, with the support of the Greenhouse Scholars program, their chances of graduating from college are eight times higher than other low-income and first-generation students. Since 2005, Greenhouse Scholars has served nearly 120 students.

Greenhouse Scholars is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. For more information about the organization and its events, visit facebook.com/GreenhouseScholars and GreenhouseScholars.org.   

Media Contacts:
Michele Rene Scott, Greenhouse Partners
[email protected]
303-460-1731

SOURCE Greenhouse Scholars