Because the system can’t
Labor force participation High school diploma12
of college graduates in the U.S. who are underemployed in their first job remain underemployed ten years later13
Young adults who struggle to complete a degree or professional credential are unable to meet the state’s workforce demands or break the cycle of generational poverty for their families Did you know? College
We’re proud to partner with these individuals, among many, to put economic mobility within reach for young people who deserve every chance to succeed
MacKenzie Scott
$2,000,000
Expanding BRYC beyond brick and mortar
Jennifer & Sean Reilly
$500,000+
Keeping Louisiana's talent in state
Carole & Charles Lamar
$1,000,000+
Connecting alumni to career-track jobs
Ava & Cordell Haymon
$400,000+
Building a nationally competitive advising dept
Since 2021, BRYC has formalized college and university partnerships statewide, signing MOUs that secure financial and practical support for our
BRYC delivers an unusually intensive, long-lasting intervention, resulting in unusually positive and enduring outcomes for our 920 alumni.
Enrollment (2- & 4-yr)
Enrollment (graduate school)
Degrees (2- & 4-yr)
Degrees (masters & doctorate)
Engage regularly with BRYC
Alumni volunteers (FY25 & FY26)
IVORY SHARIF CLASS OF 2021
Alumni who stay in Louisiana
Ivory exemplifies what’s possible when a Fellow gives their all to BRYC
As a first-generation college prospect with major family responsibilities, Ivory was initially skeptical of committing the time BRYC demanded But by senior year, suspicion gave way to conviction as hard work bore fruit: a full scholarship offer to Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York.
Skidmore is a long way from Baker, but when a Fellow has the financial aid to affordably attend an out-of-state school, BRYC sponsors their visit In April 2021, Ivory took his first plane ride to the quaint northeast campus and made his college choice He returned home to the news of being named a Louisiana Public Broadcasting Young Hero (an honor BRYC nominated him for) which inspired donors Robert and Judith Levy to create a four-year scholarship to supplement his aid package. Since then, it has funded four more Fellows.
The steep learning curve of Skidmore’s academic rigor was the wake-up call Ivory needed to not only ask for help but fully access campus life and BRYC’s alumni services. Soon, he wasn’t just a regular at the tutoring center, but a mentor to other first-generation students, among other leadership roles A Business major, Ivory also parlayed BRYC’s network into a summer internship at Northwestern Mutual, and personal mentoring relationships with BRYC supporters Chad Olivier and Carter Leak. During junior year, he broadened his horizons further, studying overseas at the University of Sydney
In May 2025, Ivory graduated from Skidmore on time, debt-free, and into a historically challenging entry-level labor market (Cengage Group, 2025) But by working with BRYC’s career services team, he secured a full-time job as a Corps Member with Teach For America–Greater Baton Rouge He also serves as a BRYC Senior Mentor, helping seniors Conner and Dylan through the same application process he navigated at the start of his BRYC journey In both these roles, Ivory is uplifting youth whose path he understands
Ivory is exceptional, but he is not an exception. BRYC Fellows see transformative long-term results when they apply themselves to our model, which sees them through high school, through postsecondary education, and into their careers. That’s our purpose: to help economically disadvantaged students attain financial stability, and to help future generations do the same.
Did you know? For college students of any income level, “second fall” persistence is the strongest early indicator of eventual completion (NSC, 2025)
OUTSIDE-OF-SCHOOL PROGRAMS
BRYC Fellows attend grade-specific afterschool programming one evening per week at our Downtown or Airline Highway locations. Each Fellow is supported by a full-time staff member and designated volunteer mentor
100% of parents agree: I recommend BRYC to other families (Spring 2026 Survey)
ALUMNI SUPPORT
BRYC’s Persistence Team helps Fellows transition successfully to postsecondary, complete their chosen credentials, and secure career-track employment.
Why it matters: Up to 40% of students from lower-income households who plan for college fail to enter in the fall (Voices of Reform, 2024)
Founded in 2024, “Engineering Fellows” pairs engineering majors with ExxonMobil employees who offer professional development coaching and help Fellows submit internship and job applications
Through a partnership with East Baton Rouge Parish School System (EBRPSS), BRYC is delivering ACT preparation and postsecondary advising to students who are unable to participate in outside-of-school programs.
Employment
Dedicated staff to help alumni land a first job that matches their level of education or training
Mentor Programs
Formal, year-long partnerships with organizations like The Baton Rouge Clinic and ExxonMobil
Financial Support
Professionally-focused, BRYCexclusive scholarships and micro grants for urgent needs
Individual Support
1:1 and campus-based interventions to address academic, financial, and socio-emotional well-being
for
Because the first job is the most critical.
58% of Louisiana students at public institutions do not receive personalized guidance to help select the education that will help prepare them for a successful career.
61% of Louisiana students at public institutions do not participate in a quality paid work-based learning experience before graduation
44% of recent Louisiana college graduates are underemployed upon entering the labor market (Strada Education Foundation, 2025)
Espinoza, Belaire High Assistant Principal
Pictured above: Senior advisorTavidee Hoskins
A clear pathway for every Louisiana student
Louisiana has the highest percentage of native-born residents among U.S. states. (World Population Review, 2025) In other words, most of our youth will stay here, so let’s make it easier for them to succeed here. BRYC is building a future in which all Louisiana students can chart clear paths toward higher education credentials needed to become full participants in our state’s economy. This vision has three key focuses:
Supporting All Postsecondary Pathways
Whereas BRYC has long focused on four-year degrees, we are evolving our model to help students understand and pursue the full range of post-high school options degree and non-degree which Louisiana labor data show can lead to strong career outcomes This is especially critical as BRYC expands its in-school Advising model, serving a much larger and more academically diverse population
Building Technology for La.-Focused Decision-Making
There is a growing body of research showing which postsecondary pathways lead to economic opportunity in Louisiana, yet this information is too technical to be useful for most families
In response, BRYC is building a tool that surveys Louisiana’s full landscape of postsecondary options, enabling counselors to provide every student with personalized recommendations for credentials and instructional programs that are likely to lead to a positive return on investment
Codifying the BRYC “Playbook”
A vital step in BRYC’s maturation is capturing 17 years of postsecondary readiness expertise into a careeraligned curriculum that supports students from middle school through workforce entry Codifying this intellectual capital will ensure organizational longevity and curricular alignment across BRYC’s programs
Over time, this same framework will enable BRYC to share what works with schools and families statewide, translating complex research into practical tools for Louisiana students.
It is both an economic imperative and reasonable expectation that every Louisiana student has access to the information needed to make wellinformed decisions about their educational and professional futures. BRYC is committed to bringing this vision to reality, within and well beyond the walls of our outside-of-school programs.
Because support is strongest nearest the source.
