Closing the Gap with Each Degree Annual Report 2018
Graduates College Access College Success
Our Mission Our mission at College Visions is to empower low-income and first-generation college-bound 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.
Letter from our Executive Director I have the good fortune to speak to young people every day in the CV office. If you have seen CV students in action, you know they never fail to bring with them the contagious energy and great enthusiasm that validates the work we do. This is a positive generation, but don’t mistakenly see them as carefree. Our students worry about the safety of their families and communities, and securing stable futures for themselves. They keep moving forward despite a national discourse that does not look favorably on firstgeneration, low-income, and undocumented students. At CV, we strive to change this narrative into one that defines these young, incredible students as essential contributors to a better and more hopeful future for all. High school students arrive here with the desire to learn, but challenged by economic disparities and with a shortage of the resources needed to guide them through the college process. Yet, given the right tools they consistently prove their commitment to showing up and keeping up, while gaining the skills and knowledge they need for the path to success. We are elated as students head off to college, and we realize this is only the first step. Trusting mentorships guide them in troubleshooting problems and accessing critical resources. We applaud their successes - big and small. And we celebrate the fact that our students graduate at more than three times the national rate for low-income, first-generation students. Each degree represents the fulfillment of a dream for a young person, a family, AND a community. Every day our staff works hard to provide the best possible advising and support, while our generous Board of Directors, donors and volunteers dedicate the time and resources that bring energy and equity to our mission. Our outstanding outcomes are a testament to the teamwork it takes to create lasting impact on the future of young people in our community, and that team includes you. Thanks to each and every one of you for making this important investment in our shared future.
Respectfully, Nick Figueroa Executive Director College Visions
We currently serve 380 students; 65 12th graders, 315 college students.
High schools our students come from: Academy for Career Exploration Dr. Jorge Alvarez High School Central Falls High School Central High School
Getting There... college access program (cap) Our students are the first-generation in their family to attend college, arriving with great enthusiasm but limited knowledge about how to apply. Through highly personalized advising, together, we navigate the application and enrollment process as students gain confidence, perseverance, and the hope to pursue future dreams. The College Visions model uses intensive coaching and mentorship to support students with a wide range of academic achievements. CAP advisors guide students and their families through the important steps of choosing schools that provide the best fit, support first-generation students, and offer generous financial aid.
OUR STUDEnts Latino 54%
Classical High School Cranston East High School E3 Academy Evolutions High School
biRacial/multi racial 10% White 1% Asian 7% native American 1%
Hope High School Juanita Sanchez Educational Complex Mount Pleasant High School Charles E. Shea Senior High School Trinity Academy for the Performing Arts
median family income $24,851 First-generation 94% first in family (to college) 63%
“College Visions provided me with the tools to access college by helping me prepare for interviews, polish my admission materials, and narrow down the options I was fortunate enough to receive.” – Estevan Feliz, Boston College ‘21
How we do it: 1 on 1 Advising — Students meet with their advisors weekly to work on college lists, prepare for interviews, and develop polished application materials. Workshops — Before the start of 12th grade, students attend intensive college preparation workshops to introduce the process and help manage expectations. Campus Visits — Exposure to colleges through campus visits in Rhode Island and beyond supports student applications. Family engagement — Workshops and individual meetings keep family members involved in the process and provide financial guidance, including completing the FAFSA.
Outstanding Outcomes: 100% of CV students earn an admissions acceptance, 98% enroll immediately after high school graduation. • Compared with 44% urban RI students who enroll within 6 months of high school graduation 100% of CV students complete the FAFSA, an essential part of college financing for low-income students. • Compared to 60% of Providence 12th graders 91% of student financial aid met on average for CV students • In 2018, our students entering college took out an average of $2,837 in loans, and earned a collective $1,297,545 in grants and scholarships
Our students have graduated from a diverse group of colleges including: Boston College Brandeis University Brown University College of the Holy Cross
Staying in college... kolajo paul afolabi college success program (csp) Enrolling in college is a big accomplishment, but it’s only the first step toward a college degree. College Visions advisors provide reliable and consistent long-term relationships with students, checking in about academics and finances, as well as social and emotional health. Celebrating successes and troubleshooting issues, advisors support students to persist all the way through college and earn the benefits of a degree.
Community College of Rhode Island Connecticut College Guilford College Howard University Macalester College Mount Holyoke College Northeastern University Providence College Rhode Island College Rhode Island School of Design
“College Visions has played a tremendous role in my higher education. I had limited knowledge about the college process and it was great to have a personal relationship with my CV advisor who knew my strengths and interests.” – Jaretta Konneh, Mount Holyoke College ‘14, MEd Candidate Harvard University Graduate School of Education
Tufts University University of Rhode Island
National Recognition In a national competition, College Visions was awarded a two year grant from the National College Access Network to help grow our innovative College
Success Program.
How we do it: 1 on 1 Advising — Frequent and individualized coaching sessions on campus, in our office, on the phone, and online, support students in problem solving. They are empowered to take advantage of campus-based resources and stay on track to graduate. Transfer coaching — Many students enroll in community college as a first step towards earning a bachelor’s degree. Advisors help students select transferable courses and initiate the admissions process. Financial advising — Helping students with budgeting, FAFSA completion, and providing small grants to cover unexpected expenses ensures students have the financial support they need throughout college.
Outstanding Outcomes: 66% of CV students graduate within 6 years. • Compared with 21% of low-income, first- generation students nationally and 37% of low income students in Rhode Island 94% of CV students return for the 2nd year. • Compared with 69% of Providence Public Schools graduates 98% of CV students renew the FAFSA on time to ensure continued financial aid. • Compared with 80-85% of low-income, first year college students nationally
“Please continue giving and investing in the future of young people like myself. College Visions made a huge difference in my success. I choose to give back to CV and my community because without them I would not be the man I am today.” – Robinson Adames, Northeastern University ‘17, Financial Analyst Associate, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
Funding Interventions that Work Our Emergency Grant Fund covers essential expenses up to $1,000 for students who have exhausted all other means of support. Providing for eyeglasses, a bus pass, textbooks, or even a grocery store gift card can make all the difference between a semester marked by struggle or academic success. Research confirms college students who have access to small emergency grants are more likely to complete degrees.
Supporting Undocumented and DACA Youth College Visions seeks to work with students who have the most need for support on the path to and through college. We have always accepted students regardless of citizenship status. In 2017, we began working more systematically to increase our own knowledge to better support vulnerable students. Look for our Guide to College for Undocumented and DACA Youth in Rhode Island, which we will publish in 2019.
Building Workforce College Visions students are motivated to earn degrees and meet Rhode Island’s need for more highly educated workers. Rhode Island has set a goal of increasing the percentage of adults with postsecondary degrees to 70% by employing “targeted strategies to close equity gaps” for Black and Latino residents. These are the students CV already serves successfully.
Nationally only 5-10% of undocumented youth enroll in college, while 95% of undocumented CV
students enroll.
Creating Community First-generation students who earn a college degree are more likely to find full-time employment, work locally, and invest in their community. College Visions graduates find more doors open to wider opportunities and are working in fields such as education, health care, law, art, and finance. They are giving back to their families, buying homes, paying taxes, and involved in civic life.
By 2020, 71% of
jobs will require postsecondary education.
With your investment, College Visions will grow to support 450 students in 2020. The Future of College Visions College Visions ensures that young people who want to go to college actually get there. Our alumni excel in meaningful careers and see the benefits of an improved standard of living as a direct result of their college degrees. With a dedicated full-time staff of advisors, we are equipped to serve students in ways that many high schools and volunteer run organizations cannot. But, because we are forced to turn away qualified students every year, we strive for sustainable growth to serve more students, while continuing to increase our knowledge and program effectiveness.
Goals Growth — Advance our capacity to support an increasing number of students who seek out our services while maintaining a balanced staff to student ratio. Advocacy — Act as a leading voice in the creation of policies and programs that enable college success for first-generation and low-income students.
In Rhode Island Public Schools the student to guidance counselor ratio is 420:1.
Partnerships — Pursue new partnerships and strengthen existing relationships with educators and institutions in order to expand and strengthen college access and success strategies.
Financials REVENUE $704,927.56 Grants $356,398.96 Dispersement from Strategic Operating Reserve $217,429.09 Earned Income $26,000.00
Other 1.0% One Time Gifts 1.0% Individual Donations 11.0% Events and Sponsorships 2.0% Earned Income 4.0%
Events and Sponsorships $14,746.00 Individual Donations $80,490.64 One Time Gifts $5,250.00
Reserve 30.0% Grants 51.0%%
Other $5,112.87
EXPENSES $704,927.56 Personnel $356,398.96 Occupancy $26,000.00 Communications $14,746.00 Programs $80,490.64 Special Events $5,250.00 Professional Services $5,112.87 Capital Purchases $8,966.27 Professional Development $7,174.38
Capital Purchases 1.0% Professional Services 5.0% Special Events 2.0%
Programs 5.0% Communications 2.0% Occupancy 3.0%
Personnel 81.0%
Professional Development 1.0%
Board of Directors Soumangue Basse, Secretary, Senior Auditor, Citizens Bank Nancy Fisher Chudacoff Of Counsel, Cameron & Mittleman Nicole Clement General Counsel, Rhode Island Housing Shontay Delalue Vice President for Institutional Equity and Diversity, Brown University Nick Figueroa, Ex Officio, Executive Director, College Visions Jael Lopes, Vice-Chair, Director of Strategic Partnerships, Providence Public School Department Ivette Luna Lead Consumer Engagement Specialist, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island Timothy Monroe Executive Director, El Hogar Deborah Obalil, Chair, President & Executive Director, Association of Independent Colleges of Art & Design Grant Porter, Treasurer, Senior Consulting Manager, Finance & Analytics Conduent State Healthcare, Rhode Island Executive Office of Health & Human Services
Staff Joshua Rodriguez Community Partnership Coordinator, Swearer Center for Public Service at Brown University Alumnus, College Visions Cicily Shaw Director of College Counseling, Boston Trinity Academy Tim Spurrell Medical Director, Planned Parenthood of Southern New England Cindy Umanzor Research Project Director, The Center for Behavioral & Preventive Medicine at The Miriam Hospital Emmanuel Ventura-Urena Commercial Real Estate Underwriter, Citizens Bank, Alumnus, College Visions Jennifer Wood Executive Director, Rhode Island Center for Justice Joshua Wynn Senior Application Analyst, Lifespan
Susan Anderson Success Advisor Benjamin Concepcion Success Advisor Nick Figueroa Executive Director Emily Gonzalez Program Director Joshua Greenberg Operations Director Moira Hinderer Development Director Tina Meetran Access Manager Monephia Nembhard Development Associate Rosa Ramos Access Advisor Gleyribel Rodriguez Success Manager
OUr donors FOUNDATION & CORPORATE DONORS
$1000–$1999
BankRI Bhikhaji Maneckji Fund Blue Cross & Blue Shield of RI Champlin Foundation City of Providence, Community Development Block Grant Cox Charities Northeast Fund CVS Health Dexter Donation Fund Frederick C. Tanner Memorial Fund H. T. Ewald Foundation John Clark Trust, Bank of America, N. A. Trustee June Rockwell Levy Foundation Lloyd G. Balfour Foundation, Bank of America, N. A. Trustee Lyman B Brainerd Family Foundation MetLife National College Access Network Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island Ocean State Charities Trust Peter & Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation Pro Change Behavior Systems, Inc Providence College Providence Shelter for Colored Children Rhode Island Foundation Robinson Mountain Trust Simple Pleasures The Angell Foundation The Carter Fund The Frieda Mueller Fund The Sidney E. Frank Foundation TriMix Foundation White Family Foundation
Michael Allio Howard & Nancy Chudacoff Anniedi Essien Dione D. & William Kenyon Mary & Sandy Moore Deborah Obalil & Jim Olick Russell & Carla Ricci Jack & Fran Steele k Annie Steele k Jennifer Wood & Bob Lee
INDIVIDUAL DONORS $5000+ Anonymous Thomas & Alexandra Moffatt k $2000+ Maria DeCarvalho & A.T. Wall Sara & Jeffrey Enright Jack Richter & Cassandra StaffordRichter Timothy & Emily Spurrell
$500–$999 Yetunde Flicker k Kolajo A. Afolabi k Anonymous Florence, Basse Soumangue Basse William Bennett Michael Brosterman Wendy Brusick & Gregory Stiener Jean S. Callaghan Erin Campbell Richard & Inge Chafee Michael DiBiase Michael Fournier & David Liddle Moira Hinderer k Kelly Milukas Tim Monroe & Cheryl Nixon Martha Moore Rebecca Murray Kim Perry Joanne Rich Elizabeth Roberts Jasowolu Saygbe a Aliana Soto Scott & Sally Stevenson Cindy Umanzor Jennie Weiner k $250–$499 Anonymous k Carrie Bridges Anne & Michael Brunson Elizabeth Burke Bryant & Daniel Bryant Jill & Andrew Caslowitz Hope Chu k Bryan & Erica Dewsbury
Cory Diamond Nicanor Figueroa k Steven Gacin Bill & Ann Hinderer Jennifer Hosmer Heather Hudson Barbara Hurst Jennifer Hushion Jori Ketten Amy Lieb Margaret Miller & Luther Poor Marsha Miller & Robert Bedick Stephanie Ogidan Preston & Shane Preston Linda Palmateer Marguerite & Wells Pile Grant Porter Janice & James Prochaska Clay Rockefeller & Manya Rubinstein Angela Romans Liuba Shapiro k Paula & Jeremy Sager Phoebe Salten & Merrill Weingrod Lucie Searle Joan Sorensen Michael Stein & Hester Kaplan John Swen Barbara Vincent Shelley Wilson Rafael A. Zapata k Lauren Zurier $100–249 Michael & Roberta Aaronson Anthony Affigne Edith H. Ajello Clarice Anderes & Jack Willis Mikaila Arthur Oyinlade Ayandele Bill & Diane Barrett Andrew Bramson Deborah Brayton Ebony Bridwell Michell Jeffrey & Jessica Brier Jill & Bill Caskey Christina Castle Minna Choi & Sebastian Ruth Judith Clare
Benjamin Concepcion a Nora Crowley & Dan McGowan Mary Dalton & Bob Ameen Mary WC. Daly Garfield Davidson & Shonte McDowell Mike & Kelly DeAngelis Shontay Delalue Jenn & Rich Dunn Gail & Joseph Edmonds Michael Eng & Emily Ustach John Eng-Wong Sandra Enos Chris Erway Michael Fine Chris Finlay Diana Fishman & Ryan Adams Elizabeth Fradin Anonymous k Divina Gamble k Joanne Gering Liz Glatzer Robert Gray Megan Hall Ginger & John Harkey Nancy Harlan Jill Harrington Ryan Hathaway k Aneal Helms k Marc & Hedwige Hiralien Bernice Ines Belinda Johnson Susan & Robert Johnston David Karoff & Barbara Hunger Geraldine Killilea Linda Kushner Lisa Laforest Nirva LaFortune Ariel Lambe & Kevin Mercik Richard & Karen Lambe Mark Lambert Leslie Lampe Long Richard & Judith Lappin Cindy Larned Jael Lopes Thomasine & Jeffrey Manickas Sabina Matos-Ward Caroline Molloy-Calia
Terri Monjar Simon Moore Carol Muderlak Bevin Murphy k William Obalil Lindsay Paiva Kayla Paulino a Ellen Polansky Mercedes Quevedo Precillia Redmond k Ken Richmond & Pat McGauran Leah & Norbert Richter Anthony Roberson Henry Rodriguez a Joshua Rodriguez Bill & Sandi Rosen Marcia Russell k Vina Saengdara a Daniel Schleifer Samuel Seidel Danika Severino Wynn & Joshua Wynn Peggy & Henry Sharpe Susan Smulyan Chris Soto Steven & Nancy Spirito Tracy Steffes Judith Swift & Charles Cofone Dominique Taylor k Carlos Then a Nakia Thomas Jill & James Tobak Joseph & Brownsyne Tucker Edmonds Catherine Tyler k Camilo Umanzor Cruz & Carol Umanzor Cruz Umanzor John Vassalotti Emmanuel Ventura-Urena a Marel Ver Skyler Wagner k Judith Wahl Kachinske Edward Walker Imeh Williams Erin Wright-Gandhi k Jason Yoon Myrth York & David B. Green David Ziff
$50 to $100 Afua Akoto a Mary Grace Almandrez Christina Anderson k Susan Anderson a Anne Aycock k Sarah Bowman & Alexis Thompson Monique Breindel Gretchen Brion-Meisels k Jessica Brown Cara Camacho Anna Cano-Morales & William Morales Jorge Cardenas Bill & Debbie Catone Keith Catone & Dulari Tahbildar Mary & John Cloud Kathryn Crewe Kelly Huguette-Nelly Crozier-Martynow Rachel Currie-Rubin k Doris De Los Santos Kevin DeCeoursty David Varone & Sixcia Devine Mary-Beth Fafard Sarita Fernandez a Solanchi Fernandez Chris Gannaway Dylan Gipson k Maritza Gomez Emily Gonzalez Kate Greene Todd Grindal k Kristin Hendrix k Andres Idarraga Jennie Johnson David C-H Johnston Aiyah Josiah-Faeduwor Sandra Junco Ayellor Karbah a Linda Katz Joelisa Khun a Jaretta Konneh a Jenny Lafleur k Sarah Roskam Leibel & John Caserta Dan Lewis & Jan Fleischner Rachel Littman Nicholas Longo & Aleida Benitez Janice Manter
OUr donors Brittany McGill k Annika Moltz k Alan Mooradian Paddy Moore Alice Moore Lilamini & Victor Neel Monephia Nembhard a Ruth Otto Ashley Cavallaro a Drine Paul Claire Phipps Joon Po Alessandra Pollock k Becca Pollock k Hristina Popov Robert Procaccianti Rene Ravenel k Veronica Rayford Nancy Riley Franco Rodriguez Gleyribel Rodriguez a Ana-Cecilia Rosado Matthew & Rachel Rufo Genevieve Schultz Yolanda Sealey Betsy Shimberg Daniel Siefert Alan Silverman Betsy Sullivan Sharina Taveras Lopez a Talia Triangolo Karin & Edward Wetherill Tammie Worthington-Witczak Joshua Wynn Gifts up to $49 Pamela Acosta a Summer Allen & Max Greene Karen Allen Baxter Pastor Scott J. Axtmann Eleni Bazos k Kyle Bennett Emily Busam Nancy Carriuolo Kristen Chudy Vanessa Cleveland Marjorie Cohen k Connie Crawford
Christopher DePetrillo Theresa Dougherty Jane Driver Susanne Duggan-Ball Becky Edwards Burns Mona Egan Allison Elgart Luz Espinal Ted Famiglietti William Feng a Wesley Figaro Daniel Finer k Rosa Florimon Mary Ford Kristine Frech Cynthia Fredricks Albania Gomez Diana E. Gonzales k Alma Gottlieb Joshua Greenberg Dana Hammer Catherine Hathaway k Eileen Hayes Monica Houghton Edward Hudson Tyrene Jones a Hector Juan Bonilla Tamara Kaplan Kara Kelley Brian Lariviere Patty Lassonde k Brooke & Eugene Lee Rachel Levy k Jessica Lohrke Ruth Lopez Kyle Malesra Andrea Martiesian & Phil Doughty Onelissa Martinez a Vincent & Josephine Marzullo Tina Meetran a Rachel Miller Kathleen Murphy-Shiffman Nathalie Nasamento Barbara Navas Terry Novak Lee Pearson k Angel Pena a
Matthew Plain Chanravy Proeung Rosa Ramos Jaclyn Reyes Cintron Rachel Ritchie Alcides Rodriguez a Justin Roias Christel Rosario a Jack Rusley & Erika Blauch Theresa Saritelli J. Scott Wolf Cicily Shaw Kathleen Shiffman k Bridget Siegel k Mariely Siravo Allisson Smith Deborah Steinberg & Ann Solomon Yonaton Sunshine Lisa Sussman Martha T Theda Tann a Stanley Thompson Debbie Van Marter Julz Vega Andrew Viveiros Janice Weisfeld & Francis Haines Tara Wisnewski k Nancy Wolston Chanda Womack Napoleon X Natasha Yakovlev Elizabeth Yamartino Ginny Yang k Leslie & Michael Zimring k Hannah Zoll
a Denotes Alumni Donors k Denotes a gift in memory
of Kolajo Paul Afolabi
“I love College Visions so much! Not only the program and all it does for us students, but as a community. It feels like a small family here and I appreciate it so much.” – Calyia, Trinity Academy for the Performing Arts
-Ayellor Karbah, Guilford College ‘17
Being a first-generation college graduate means making history.
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