College Visions 2016 Annual Report

BUILDING ACCESS FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS

ANNUAL REPORT 2016

If you know me, you know I’m a city kid at heart. I grew up in Providence. I’ve never been camping. My hiking experience consisted of walking through Roger Williams Park. So when I visited Capitol Reef National Park in Utah this summer, I was out of my element.

There’s a beautiful natural arch in the park. Viewing it requires hiking a steep, rocky trail. The sun was blazing and the temperature was well over 90°. But the biggest challenge was self-doubt. Did I bring enough water? Did the outdoorsy hikers think I looked silly in my sneakers and basketball jersey? Would I have to stop halfway because of my fear of heights?

We ask College Visions students to enter unfamiliar environments all the time. It’s the definition of our work— first-generation students are trailblazers. You know there are many concrete obstacles on the path to a degree: a student can’t pay for books; the bus ride to campus takes over an hour; or high school math didn’t provide sufficient preparation.

a deficit. And students might doubt whether they belong on campus, whether they’re capable of graduating.

College Visions students need strong advising and financial resources. They must also travel the path with healthy confidence and entitlement. By giving generously, hundreds of friends like you provide tangible resources to first-gen students. You also loudly and proudly announce a belief in College Visions students.

Your support says that first-gen students have the talent and work ethic to earn a degree; that first-gen status is a sign of courage and independence; that first-gen students have the right to be a visible, vocal, and valued presence on campuses across the country.

My hike in Capitol Reef was new and challenging. To be honest, I wasn’t totally prepared. But I made it to the arch.

Our students might not have fancy hiking boots, walking poles, or outdoors experience, but they are reaching the finish line at an extraordinary rate. Your generosity is conveying the message that first-gen students are capable and have earned their place on the trail. As a result, 225 College Visions students have earned a degree and hundreds more are traveling the path. Thank you!

Yet the most insidious obstacles exist in our perceptions and expectations. Faculty might have slightly lower expectations for first-gen students. The media might portray first-gen status as Simon Moore, Founder and Executive Director

Soumangue Basse

Senior Auditor, Citizens Bank

Deborah Obalil

Garfield Davidson

President & Executive Director, Association of Independent Colleges of Art & Design

Nancy Fisher Chudacoff

Executive Director, College Visions

Sara Enright

Community Partnership Coordinator, Swearer Center for Public Service at Brown University; Alumnus, College Visions

Financial Advisor, Valic Financial Advisors Of Counsel Cameron & Mittleman Vice President of Student Affairs, Community College of Rhode Island

Michael Fournier

Chief Strategy Officer (Retired), YMCA of Greater Providence

Simon Moore, Ex Officio Joshua Rodriguez

Cindy Umanzor

Project Manager, Pro-Change Behavior Systems

Emmanuel Ventura-Urena, Treasurer

Heather Hudson

Commercial Banking Risk Specialist, Citizens Bank Alumnus, College Visions

Jael Lopes

Jennifer Wood

Alexandra Moffatt, Vice-Chair

Rafael Zapata, Secretary

Policy Advisor, RI Governor Gina Raimondo Director of Strategic Partnerships, Providence Public School Department Domestic Violence Advocate, Domestic Violence Resource Center of South County

Deputy Secretary—General Counsel, RI Executive Office of Health and Human Services Associate Vice-President/Chief Diversity Officer, Providence College

Timothy Monroe, Chair

Executive Director of Development, Rhode Island School of Design

Emily Gonzalez

College Access Program Director

Joshua Greenberg

Operations Manager

Moira Hinderer

Development Director

Simon Moore

Executive Director

Tina Meetran

Access + Success Advisor

Monephia Nembhard

Development Associate

Emily Rodriguez College Success Program Director

Gleyribel Rodriguez Success Manager

Francesca Zetar

Access + Success Manger

PHOTOGRAPHY: STEPHANIE ALVAREZ EWENS | DESIGN: BOTTLEROCKET DESIGN GROUP

Our mission at College Visions is to empower low-income and first-generation collegebound students to realize the promise of higher education by providing advising and resources to promote college enrollment, persistence, and graduation. College Visions advances equal access to educational opportunities in historically under-served communities.

131 Washington St., Suite 205 | Providence, RI 02903 | 401.490.3996 | www.collegevisions.org

GRANTS 61% EARNED INCOME 6.8%

REVENUE

GRANTS

$442,927

EARNED INCOME

INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS

$107,827

SPECIAL ONE-TIME GIFTS

$106,000

EVENTS & SPONSORSHIPS

$18,243

OTHER INCOME

$49,878

INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS 14.8%

$931

TOTAL REVENUE

SPECIAL ONE-TIME GIFTS 14.6%

$725,807

EVENTS & SPONSORSHIPS 2.5%

EXPENSES

OTHER INCOME .1%

PERSONNEL

$389,354

PROGRAMS

$34,566

OCCUPANCY

$19,092

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

$32,141

SPECIAL EVENTS

ESSENTIAL INFRASTRUCTURE

CAPITAL PURCHASES

PERSONNEL 78.5%

PROGRAMS 6.9%

$5,355 $11,798

OCCUPANCY 3.8%

$3,537

TOTAL EXPENSES

$495,843

TOTAL REVENUE

$725,806

TOTAL EXPENSES

$495,843

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES 6.5% SPECIAL EVENTS 1% ESSENTIAL INFRASTRUCTURE 2.3%

Portrait of CV Families 100% STUDENTS ARE FIRSTGENERATION COLLEGE BOUND 24% PARENTS/GUARDIANS ARE NON-ENGLISH SPEAKING

CAPITAL PURCHASES .7%

How CV Students Identify ASIAN/ASIAN-AMERICAN

16%

BLACK/AFRICAN-AMERICAN

16%

BI-RACIAL OR MULTI-RACIAL

5%

LATINO

59%

WHITE

1%

OTHER

3%

$21,000 MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME 97% STUDENTS ELIGIBLE FOR FREE/REDUCED COST SCHOOL LUNCH 85% 12TH GRADE FAMILIES PARTICIPATE IN AT LEAST ONE ON-SITE ACTIVITY

Securing Strong Financial Aid 99% COMPLETE FAFSA BY MARCH 1 RHODE ISLAND PRIORITY DEADLINE 97% RECEIVE FEDERAL PELL GRANTS 91% AVERAGE FINANCIAL NEED MET BY STUDENTS’ FIRST-YEAR AWARDS

A foundation for the future.

CV is advancing an ambitious growth plan to reach 400 students annually and celebrate our 300th college graduate in 2018. Thanks to generous friends like you, fundraising victories in 2015–16 will enable a 15% increase in participants over the next two years, stronger financial reserves, and strategic initiatives that boost CV’s sustainability and impact.

When you support College Visions, you create the path for low-income, first-generation students As you know, Rhode Island youth in under-served communities face profound obstacles to obtaining a college degree. Huge gaps exist between aspiration and achievement, and low-income students are often denied the same opportunity to earn a degree as their more affluent peers. Your generosity addresses this critical need and yields outstanding results.

Guiding 12th graders through the college admissions

College Visions makes a commitment to support our

process, this program ensures that students explore

students throughout their college careers by providing

options, develop polished application materials and

continued support and individualized coaching to

receive guidance with financial aid applications.

empower students to persist until they earn a degree.

100% of CV students receive an offer of college

And, College Visions students succeed!

admission, and 98% enroll in college compared with

65% of College Visions students earn a degree within

just 25% of low-income students in Rhode Island.

6 years compared with only 21% of low-income, firstgen students nationally.

WELCOME TO THE COLLEGE ACCESS PROGRAM

College Knowledge Workshops

Here We Go!

Thanks to supporters like you, College Visions is supporting 71 12th graders.

Students learn how to find colleges that are a good fit for them, resume writing and financial aid basics.

Start of 12th grade.

CV STUDENTS:

summer WELCOME TO THE COLLEGE SUCCESS PROGRAM At the end of senior year in high school, 12th graders celebrate high school graduation and are officially inducted into CSP program at the College Visions Celebration.

HIGH SCHOOL ACADEMIC PORTRAIT Average GPA of 2.7 out of 4.0 Average SAT score of 864 (out of 1600)

fall

Summer Workshops

Getting Ready!

Students learn what to expect and how to navigate their new roles as college students.

Advisors meet with students to make sure finances are in order, classes are selected and transportation is secured.

“College Visions strongly resonates with me because it empowers underserved high school students to play their greatest game in life.”

Soumangue Basse, Senior Auditor, Citizens Bank, College Visions Board Member

University of Rhode Island

Union College

Salem College

Rhode Island School of Design

Rhode Island College

Providence College

Northeastern University

Lafayette College

Howard University

Hampshire College

Gustavus Adolphus College

Guilford College

Denison University

Community College of Rhode Island

Connecticut College

College of the Holy Cross

Brandeis University

Boston College

Bentley University

Southwest Airlines is a continuing College Visions supporter, generously donating airline tickets to students in need.

Barnard College

American University

College Visions students are currently enrolled at the following schools:

“I’ve recently faced obstacles that interfered with school. Thanks to my advisor, I gained hope in completing my degree program. Without CV, I believe I would have given up a long time ago.” Yuselly Mendoza, Rhode Island College, Class of 2017

Advisor Meetings Bi-weekly advisor meetings at CV.

Family Workshops

Essays

Campus Visits

Interview Prep Day

Parents/guardians learn about the college admissions process.

Students draft and revise their college essays.

Organized trips for students to explore additional campuses.

Community volunteers like you coach students on college interviews and help develop their skills.

CV organizes trips for students to visit regional colleges throughout the fall: 65% of CV students attend at least 1 campus visit.

winter

URI & RIC: We Are There!

Advisor Connections

Transfers

Good Luck with Finals!

CV advisors are now on campus to make it easier to meet their students.

Advisors check-in or visit with their students at least 3 times a semester.

Advisors guide community college students to transfer to 4-year colleges.

Care packages of special treats boost students’ spirits at a challenging time of year.

Talking with Tina Meetran

Access + Success Advisor College Visions Alum; Clark University, BA, MA Access + Success Advisor College Visions Alum; Clark University, BA, MA

How would you describe your role as a College Visions advisor?

I work with approximately 30 high school students and 30 college students. I meet with each high school student every week and check in with college students 3 times a semester. My responsibilities include planning college visits, preparing monthly workshops, and finding colleges that fit students’ interests and are also affordable.

What made you decide to become a College Visions advisor?

I am a huge advocate of youth work, because I think there are many systems in our society that discourage and bring down young people, especially young people of color. Here we motivate young people to reach their fullest potential, challenge them to think critically and creatively, and encourage them to grow into self-sufficient leaders for themselves and of our communities.

File That FAFSA Application Parties

Application Submissions

You can volunteer to help students make their final application edits.

CV students submit an average of 7 applications.

Students apply for grants, loans and work study funds with the help of CV staff and a dedicated team of volunteers, which could include you.

Admissions Advocacy Advisors advocate for students, sometimes explaining gaps in transcripts or other factors that impact admission decisions.

Our workroom is open daily to all CV students providing essential computer, scanner, fax and internet access.

spring

Winter Workshops

Financial Aid Security

Networking, getting internships, financial aid, and peer sharing on success strategies.

CV helps students renew financial aid applications throughout college to maintain strong financial aid.

How did College Visions help you on your path through college?

My parents’ goal for me was a successful life full of opportunities they didn’t have. I just didn’t know how to get there. CV helped by giving me the resources and tools I needed to apply to affordable colleges and supporting me through the process. My advisor was always challenging me to step out of my comfort zone and explore.

How do you view the impact of College Visions on your life?

CV gave me so much support and encouragement, which translated into becoming much more comfortable with who I am and my abilities. I couldn’t imagine college and post-college life. With the support of CV, I learned college serves as a place where you start that process of finding yourself. College Visions is a very genuine support system, which makes it a very effective organization. The people who work there are passionate about access and success for young people, but also compassionate about the well-being of young people in the process.

Senior Opportunities! CV advisors counsel college seniors on grad schools, study abroad programs and internships.

“When I made the choice to go to Bhutan, I challenged who I’m supposed to be, against who I want to be, and it changed the way I view the world!”

Benjamin Concepcion, University of Rhode Island, Class of 2017

In 2016, 98% of CAP students completed the program and 100% of those students enrolled in college.

Spring Workshops Congratulations!

Decision Day!

Acceptance letters are in by early April.

Students make their college decision on May 1!

Students learn how to navigate loans, budget, and make housing deposits.

High School Graduation, CAP Graduation

CAP students transition to College Success Program

EMERGENCY GRANTS cover the unexpected expenses that challenge students such as eyeglasses, textbooks or bus passes.

College Visions Celebration honors college grads in their Time for a Visit

More Good Luck!

Getting Ready...

Accepted 12th graders visit campuses and meet with current CSP students.

Care packages make another appearance as students get ready for finals.

Graduating college seniors meet with advisors for exit counseling to go over goals and discuss key topics such as repaying loans and how to use CV resources.

achievement and their families for all the support they give.

*DENOTES GIFT IN MEMORY OF KOLAJO PAUL AFOLABI | aDENOTES GIFT BY COLLEGE VISIONS ALUMNI

FOUNDATIONS & CORPORATIONS 100 Women Who Care RI The Angell Foundation Anonymous Bank of America Charitable Foundation BankRI Barrett Family Foundation Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island Blue State Coffee The Carter Fund The Champlin Foundations Charles & Nancy Dunn Family Fund Citizens Bank Community Development Block Grant, City of Providence CVS Health Edwards L. Bernays Foundation Inc. Episcopal Charities of Rhode Island Frank B. Hazard General Charity Fund, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee Frederick Tanner Fund Harry M., Miriam C. & William C. Horton Fund, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee June Rockwell Levy Foundation Lloyd G. Balfour Foundation, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee Mary Dexter Chafee Fund MetLife Auto & Home Nellie Mae Education Foundation New England Association for College Admission Counseling Ocean State Charities Trust O’Halloran Family Foundation Otto H. York Foundation Pawtucket Credit Union The Peter & Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation Rallis Conover Family Fund Rhode Island Foundation Robinson and Cole Russell Grinnell Memorial Trust Sidney E. Frank Foundation Simple Pleasures Southwest Airlines Stranahan Foundation TriMix Foundation

$5,000+ Anonymous Maria DeCarvalho & A.T. Wall Alexandra & Thomas Moffatt* Jack Richter & Cassandra Stafford-Richter Dorothy & James Youmans

$2,000+ Anonymous Sara & Jeffrey Enright Jack & Sara McConnell Anita Stafford Scott & Sally Stevenson Ingrid Tolentino

$1,000+ Anonymous2 William Bennett Jean S. Callaghan Dione D. Kenyon Brooke & Eugene Lee Tim Monroe & Cheryl Nixon Mary & Sandy Moore James Olick & Deborah Obalil Janice & James Prochaska Rafael A. Zapata

$500+ Kolajo A. & Kathleen Afolabi* Nii-Ama Akuete Michael Brosterman Keith Catone & Dulari Tahbildar* Henry Chu* Michael Fine Michael Fournier & David Liddle Liz Glatzer Robert Gray Richard & Judith Lappin Alice Moore Rebecca Murray Joanne Rich & Bart van Belle Elizabeth Roberts Antonia Soares Timothy Spurrell Annie Steele* Jack & Fran Steele* Joseph & Brownsyne Tucker Edmonds Ash Wall Jennifer Wood & Bob Lee Susan Youngwood

$250+ Yetunde Afolabi* Edith H. Ajello Anonymous Soumangue Basse Jill & Andrew Caslowitz Anike Coates Elaine Fersh & Pat McGuigan Elizabeth Fradin Marc & Susan Greenfield Alan & Bari Harlam Bill & Ann Hinderer Jill Holloway Heather Hudson David Karoff & Barbara Hunger Jori Ketten Stephanie Lin Marsha Miller & Robert Bedick Stephanie Ogidan Preston & Shane Preston Robert Orsi & Christine Helmer Mercedes Quevedo Clay Rockefeller & Manya Rubinstein Bill Rosen & Sandi Rosen Paula & Jeremy Sager Jasowolu Saygbea Michael Stein & Hester Kaplan Dominique Taylor*

$100+ Clarice Anderes & Jack Willis Anonymous5

Marcus Austin & Kathy Anderson Oyinlade Ayandele Kathy Baer Charlie & Elizabeth Bakst Bill & Diane Barrett José Batistaa Paola Beltrána Carrie Bridges Jeffrey Brier Nick Long & Abigail Brooks Keith Brown* Anne Brunson Elizabeth Burke Bryant & Daniel Bryant Adam Bush Cara Camacho Erin Campbell Josh Catone & Kate Aubin Bill & Debbie Catone Barbara & Anthony Cervone Christine & Jeremy Chiappetta Hope Chu* Howard & Nancy Chudacoff Peter Chung Melanie & Stephen Coon David Countryman Carol Cummins Mary WC. Daly Garfield Davidson & Shonté McDowell Mike & Kelly DeAngelis Andrea DeMayo-Clancy & Bryan Clancy Diah Douglas Gail & Joseph Edmonds Cathy English John Eng-Wong Sandra Enos Chris Erway Liz Evans & Jerome Evans Mary-Beth Fafard Chris Finlay Raymond Fiore Barbara Flicker* Jai Flicker* Thuy Anh & Matthew Fox Jhan Friasa Steven Gacina Jim Gannaway Ginger & John Harkey Jill Harrington Catherine Hathaway* Aneal Helms* Kimchua Henga Moira Hinderer Jeffrey Hines Mary Hollinshead Andrew Horwitz & Alexandra Callam Barbara Hurst Antwan Jefferson Belinda Johnson Jan-Delle Johnsona Susan & Robert Johnston Maryclaire Knight Linda Kushner Michelle Kweder Christian Ladds Richard & Karen Lambe Kabir Lamboa Jane Leibrock* Joshua Lerner Dan Lewis & Jan Fleischner Nicholas Longo & Aleida Benitez

Jael Lopes Michael Marshall Kevin Martins Mary & Don McClure Kira Mead* Thomas Michalek Bernice Middleton Abja Midha Caroline Molloy-Calia Lilamini & Victor Neel Gay & Art Nelson Cynthia Neverdon-Morton Pauline Ochienga Catherine Oh* Kara Orr & Roni Kabessa Lindsay Paiva Tai Palermo Jamila Perritt Robert Persson* Marguerite Pile Ellen Polansky Mark Rhoades David Robert Henry Rodrigueza Joshua Rodrigueza Hanna Rodriguez-Farrar Angela Romans Marcia Russell* Hillary Salmons Daniel Schleifer Lucie Searle Samuel Seidel Aron Shafran* Peggy & Henry Sharpe Karen Sheahan Azibo Smith Susan Smulyan Chris Soto Sally Strachan Kathryn & David Swanson Rosa Thaoa Nakia Thomas Jill & James Tobak Catherine Tyler* Cindy Umanzor Cruz Umanzor Camilo Umanzor Bobby Van Druff* David Varone & Sixcia Devine Emmanuel Ventura-Urenaa LaTashia Walker Adam Weinstock Karin & Edward Wetherill Shelley Wilson Jason Yoon David Ziff Seth & Tonya Zimring*

$50-$99 Marcus Anderson Anonymous3 Judy Beckman Rachel Brass* Monique Breindel Gretchen Brion-Meisels* Nancy Carriuolo Kate Chute Mary Cloud Eliza Collins Kath Connolly Mary Dalton & Bob Ameen Amanda Deegan Winters* Melissa Dodd* Susan Eriksen* Seth Familian*

Michael Fee* Diana Fishman* Chris Gannaway Margaret & Jim Gardner Yaniv Gelnik* Mimo Gordon Riley Sophia Haeri & Christopher Johnson* Ryan Hathaway* Sasha Hauswald* Barrett & Mary Frances Hazeltine Marc & Hedwige Hiralien Audie & Bill Jennings Pam Jennings David C-H Johnston Linda Katz Rachel & Carlos Lane* Pam MacColl Alden Maddry & Sharron Ou Nancy Miller Ben & Paddy Moore Bevin Murphy* Dionne Nickerson & Sebastien Ezzahi George Nippo Caroline Obrecht Shradha M. Patel Kelly & Simon Phipps* Janice Pressley Gleyribel Rodrigueza Christina Russell* Liuba Shapiro* Sandra & Wayne Showalter* Mary & Jay Steinberg Julia Steiny Tesceline Tabilas* Sharina Taveras Lopeza Carlos Thena Mary Thomas Stella Tucker Carol Umanzor John Vassalotti* Barbara Vincent Skyler Ng* Mindy Weber & Lowell McRoberts Erin Wright-Gandhi* Yosh Zon*

$1–$49

Pamela Acostaa Afua Akotoa Mary Lou & Paul Aldinger Anonymous26 Evan Arkush* Karen Baxter Judith C. Bertozzi Cynthia Bertozzi Virginia L. Branch Jessica Brim* Maegan Burkea Roseanne Camacho Elaine Castonguay Raul Cervantes Marisa Chock Nancy Cottrill Mr. & Mrs. Harold DeHaven Martha Dineen Wales & Ralph Wales Kim Dolan Sasha Douglas Carrie Driscoll* Brian Edmonds Mona Egan Allison Elgart Bryant Estrada

Ted Famiglietti Desiree Favreau Sarita Fernandeza Daniel Finer* Cynthia Fredricks Daniel Gatewood* Zainab Giwaa Martiza Gomeza Paul Gonsalves Emily Gonzalez Ruth Gutman Martha Hamblett Cara Hayes* Abel Hernandeza Sara Hirschhorn* Jaretta Konneha Jen Kroll Lisa Laforest* Lorraine Lalli Ariel Lambe & Kevin Mercik Betsy Lamont Rachel Levy* Natasha Lofgren Andrea Martiesian & Phil Doughty Onelissa Martineza Jade Merritt Hollis Mickey Monica Monge* Andy Montana Martha Moore Joan Muraskin Kat Murray* Barbara Navas Harriett Neverdon Kelley Neverdon-Price Art Nevins Nwando Ofokansia Kevin Pajaro Lee Pearson* Diana Polancoa Becca Pollock* Phyllis D. Poor Dianne Potter Nancy Riley Rachel Ritchie Emily Rodriguez Noreen Sandino Claudia Santiago Musu Saygbe Indrajit Sen Carla Shalaby Steve Sherman* Rachel & Ben May Showalter* Daniel Siefert Bridget Siegel* Michael Siravo Erin X. Smithers Shirley A. Spater Freedman Jill Spohn Deborah Steinberg & Ann Solomon Lisa Sussman Ellen Sweeney* Mollie Thomas* Anne Timmerman Lynn Turnbull Michelle Un Debbie Van Marter Jorge Vargas Elizabeth Vetromile Priscilla Wormwood Ginny Yang* Leslie Zimring & Michael Zimring*