Non-Profit Spotlight: CSLAP

Whatdoes it mean to be college ready? This is the question posed to every student in the College Scholarship Leadership Access Program (CSLAP). A 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in McAllen, CSLAP teaches college access classes during the instructional day, after school, and over the summer for high school students across the Rio Grande Valley.

Families who participate in CSLAP gain access to invaluable resources on the college admissions process. From one-on-one college coaching to scholarships, CSLAP expands opportunities for students.

The cornerstone of CSLAP’s work is near-peer mentorship. Through CSLAP, college students and graduates gain a platform to mentor high school students on the college application process. Alumni from local school districts give back to their communities by uplifting the next generation.

During his freshman year at Princeton University, Pharr native Thomas Ray Garcia founded CSLAP to fill in college readiness gaps at Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD. As the first in his family to attend college, Mr. Garcia aimed to provide more support for under-resourced students like himself.

In 2013, CSLAP started as a summer institute that hosted college access workshops and connected PSJA ISD students to recent graduates. In doing so, CSLAP increased the capacity of overburdened school staff to ensure every student who sought mentorship could receive support from a near-peer mentor who was once in their shoes.

CSLAP’s curriculum on essay writing, scholarships, and leadership development formed the basis of PSJA ISD’s University Scholars Enrichment Course for high school students, initially taught by Mr. Garcia. In 2019, CSLAP was incorporated as a taxexempt nonprofit organization and began partnering with local school districts, community groups, and government entities.

Since 2013, CSLAP has continued to grant young people a platform to help their high schools. Through near-peer mentorship, CSLAP aims to increase college enrollment rates and form a support system for students going to and through college.

For ten years, CSLAP has developed hundreds of lesson plans focused on every step of the college application process, including college transition, career readiness, and graduate school. The CSLAP network has grown into a diverse support system of mentors from the Rio Grande Valley eager to help young people achieve their college and career goals.

Parents who wish to learn more about CSLAP’s free after-school and summer programming and rates for one-on-one college coaching can contact 956-533-6156 or info@cslapofficial. com. More information can be found on their website at www. cslapofficial.com.

https://www.cslapofficial.com/ info@cslapofficial.com

Tel: 956-533-6156

813 N. Main Street, Suite 106