New Program Launches to Help Institutions Close Equity Gaps through Success Coaching

ST. PAUL, Minn., March 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- College Possible, the national nonprofit that connects high school and college students with near-peer coaches, announced the launch of its "Trailblazers" program, a competitive RFP process that will award up to four higher education institutions matching funds to launch success coaching programs on their campuses. The three-year partnership model, beginning in the 2020-21 academic year, is particularly focused on helping campuses increase economic mobility and close equity gaps for Pell-eligible students.

The selected institutions will work with College Possible to develop and deploy the organization's evidence-based, near-peer coaching model to better support low-income and first-generation students on their campuses. College Possible will work with on-campus leadership to train AmeriCorps members to serve as near-peer coaches and provide personalized support and guidance to help students chart a path through college.

The RFP builds on College Possible's 20-year history of training AmeriCorps service members as college access and success coaches to help low-income high school juniors and seniors enroll in – and complete – college. The Catalyze model deploys recent graduates from the institution, many of whom have themselves navigated challenges that could have ended their educational journeys. The near-peer coaching model leverages the power of these passionate, dedicated coaches to offer advice and mentorship as students navigate the complex world of college completion.

Across partner campuses in 2018-19, College Possible students were retained at a rate 4.6 points higher than their Pell-eligible peers. At a medium regional public institution, College Possible students' retention rate exceeded the Pell retention rate by nearly 13 points. At a large urban public institution, College Possible students' retention rate exceeded the Pell retention rate by almost 10 points.

College Possible is seeking campus partners ready to commit to three years of collaboration. The organization will accept requests for proposal applications until Friday, March 27, at 5 PM CST. Visit the College Possible website to learn more. For questions about eligibility or the application process, please contact Margaret Jaques-Leslie, a senior partnerships manager at College Possible, at [email protected]..

About College Possible: For nearly 20 years, College Possible has been focused on serving students when and where they need support. The key to its success is near-peer coaching—leveraging the power of young, passionate and dedicated recent college graduates serving as AmeriCorps members to offer advice, mentoring and support to students from low-income backgrounds as they navigate the often complex world of college preparation and persistence.

Its Flagship program provides support to students from their junior year of high school through college graduation. The Navigate program provides outreach to high school students outside of metropolitan areas through coaches using the latest technological tools to offer virtual support and guidance. Catalyze partnerships allow College Possible to embed its coaching model and curriculum in college campuses across the U.S. College Possible is a proud partner of CollegePoint, a nationwide initiative with Bloomberg Philanthropies that helps students from lower-income families apply to, enroll in and afford top-performing colleges. 

SOURCE College Possible