Evolving Our Approach to College Partnerships

Traditionally, college access programs for first-generation scholars from underserved communities are focused on preparing students to be ready to step onto college campuses.

As more and more College Track scholars have attended colleges and universities around the nation, we have listened to them tell us about their experiences in spaces that have not been built for their success.

Over the past 25 years, we have learned that we must flip the script and partner with colleges and universities that are committed to fulfilling the promise of learning environments that welcome and affirm scholars from all walks of life.

Under the leadership of College Track’s first-ever Chief of Education, Rosanna Ferro, Ed.D., we are evolving our approach to college and university partnerships to shift the landscape of higher education.

Realizing a Shared Vision

At the close of 2022 we announced an innovative, intentional new partnership with the Colorado State University (CSU) System— the first systemwide partnership for an organization such as ours. Already a favored destination for College Track’s Colorado scholars, the CSU System has long been a champion of firstgeneration college students, and this groundbreaking agreement signals a new approach to nurturing our scholars’ success:

► Dedicated on-campus space: A College Track student center at CSU Spur—College Track’s first-ever location on a higher-education campus—will open in fall 2023.

► Designated co-leadership: A CSU cabinet-level leader will work with College Track’s Chief of Education to ensure the success of scholars.

► Cohort-based admissions: Guaranteed admission for at least 25 Colorado-based College Track scholars every year.

► Financial commitment: The CSU System will both offer financial support to the CSU-College Track cohort and offset College Track’s administrative fees.

Our partnership with the CSU System is the standard bearer for our college and university partnerships nationwide. We forge ahead deeply inspired to develop formal alliances with many like-minded higher education institutions—public and private, large and small, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs).