Innovate
Annual Report
The troubling national higher education data of the past few years remains virtually — and unfortunately — unchanged. Fewer high school graduates are entering college. Graduation rates for students of color lag behind. And millions of learners are leaving college with debt but no degree.
These stubborn challenges underscore the purpose and mission of College Possible: to provide a vital service absent from much of the nation’s high schools. In an inequitable system amid an unstable world, College Possible offers students a safety net and the stability they need to enter college and complete their degrees.
Indeed, “stability” has been our watchword over the past year. I’m now in my second year of service to College Possible and am looking forward to building on our successes from my first year. Our desire for increased stability reinforced our recent decision to transition to full-time coaches. In my visits to our eight national sites, the students we serve told me it’s difficult to build a relationship with a new coach every year. In addition, moving to full-time success coaches offers continuity, expertise, dedicated support and greater long-term impact. We are also actively working with generative and predictive artificial intelligence to power up our coaches and students. Four themes stood out in the last fiscal year that epitomize how we have evolved the ways in which we support and serve students as the postsecondary landscape, and student populations, continue to shift:
-
INNOVATE: Embracing generative AI helped us innovate the way we work with coaches, and how they serve students
-
PARTNER: We continued and strengthened our existing partner and funder relationships to increase our reach
-
EVOLVE: Transitioning our coaches to be full-time employees (FTE) increased our capacity and ability to successfully serve students
-
INSPIRE: More than ever, we motivate students to persevere and succeed through mentorship and positive reinforcement
In fiscal year 2023, College Possible supported more than 25,000 students nationwide. Fueled by our 23 years of expertise and the student-focused innovations we are now incubating at our eight regional sites, we are scaling up efforts to empower greater engagement and success for even more students in the years to come.
Thank you for standing with us as we approach a quarter century of making college a reality for young people from underserved backgrounds. Your support remains vital to our work and the college dreams of students across the nation.
Sincerely,
Dr. Siva Kumari
Chief Executive Officer
Recent research by NCAN
shows that FAFSA form completions were down nearly 40 percent through the beginning of April, and only around 28 percent of seniors have completed the application. The drop has been particularly significant for schools with higher percentages of low-income students and students of color. The lower rate of FAFSA completions and submissions will likely result in a commensurate decrease in enrollment in colleges and universities in the fall.
National College Attainment Network (NCAN)
Impacting the student experience through innovation
College Possible stands as a beacon of hope and opportunity for students from low-income backgrounds, striving tirelessly to make the dream of higher education a reality. Rooted in a vision where a student’s future is determined by their talent, motivation and effort, our mission is clear: to make college admission and success possible through an intensive curriculum of coaching and support.
At College Possible, our core values of Student Success, Inclusive Culture, Teamwork, Impact, and Growth & Innovation drive every aspect of our work. As we reflect on our journey, we are proud to showcase our commitment to two strategic themes: Impact and Innovation.
IMPACT: Transforming lives nationwide
College Possible’s impact reverberates across the nation, touching the lives of thousands of students and communities. Since our inception, we have empowered over 93,235 students on their path to earning a college degree. In the fiscal year 2023 alone, we reached over 25,000 students nationwide, a testament to our unwavering dedication to equity and inclusion.
Our reach extends far and wide, with regional sites from coast to coast. Each site embodies our commitment to diversity, serving students from underrepresented communities and providing them with the resources they need to succeed.
Across the nation, from Texas to Oregon, Illinois to Pennsylvania, College Possible’s presence is felt, offering a lifeline to students striving to overcome barriers and achieve their dreams. Our impact goes beyond mere numbers; it is measured in the stories of resilience, determination, and triumph that unfold every day in classrooms and communities across the country.
INNOVATION: Pioneering change in college coaching
In our pursuit of excellence, College Possible continues to innovate, pushing the boundaries of traditional college coaching models. A pivotal shift in our approach lies in the transition to full-time employees (FTEs) for college success coaching, marking a significant step forward in our quest to better serve our students.
Although AmeriCorps remains the model for our flagship programming to high school students, the transition to FTEs for college success coaching addresses the breadth and depth of challenges facing college students. By employing FTEs, we provide 365 days of dedicated support to ensure stability for students and retention of institutional knowledge and expertise of coaches. Our pioneering efforts in program innovation have yielded promising results in Chicago, demonstrating the effectiveness of FTE coaching in enhancing student engagement and outcomes.
As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of higher education, College Possible remains at the forefront of innovation, leveraging technology, data-driven insights, and best practices to drive meaningful change. From virtual coaching programs to strategic partnerships with colleges and universities, we are committed to exploring new avenues for growth and impact.
As we embark on the next chapter of our journey, College Possible remains steadfast in its commitment to empowering student success through impact and innovation. Guided by our core values and driven by our passion for change, we stand ready to overcome challenges, embrace opportunities and transform the lives of countless students across the nation.
Together, we will continue to push the boundaries of possibility, championing equity, inclusion and excellence in pursuit of a brighter future for all. Through our collective efforts, we will not only shape individual destinies but also build stronger, more vibrant communities where every student has the opportunity to thrive.
Our impact
NATIONAL REACH
At the close of fiscal year 2023 (June 30, 2023), College Possible’s national reach included:
8
Regional sites
National Headquarters: St. Paul, MN
-
Chicago
-
Minnesota
-
Omaha
-
Oregon
-
Philadelphia
-
Texas
-
Washington
-
Wisconsin
93,235
Students served since 2000
1
24,309
Students served annually
1
66%
Students of color served
2
129
High school partners
1
51
College partners
1
850
Total colleges attended
3
NATIONAL STUDENT OUTCOMES
At the close of fiscal year 2023 (June 30, 2023), College Possible students achieved the following college access and success results:
3,771
High school students served
1
86%
Enrolled in college immediately after high school
3
20,538
College students served
1
84%
Among enrolled students, number who persisted from first-to-second year in college
4
2,009
Total degrees earned in fiscal year 2023
5
1
2
3
4
5
Nationally, fiscal year 2023.
Of the students served fiscal year 2023 who reported race/ethnicity; this represents those who identified as Black/African/African-American, Hispanic/Latinx, Asian/Pacific Islander, American Indian/Native Alaskan or Multiracial.
Nationally, fiscal year 2023; to any degree-granting institution.
Nationally, fiscal year 2023; represents fall-to-fall enrollment to any degree-granting institution.
Nationally, fiscal year 2023; includes verified BA, AA and certificates.
Leadership and National Board of Directors
Dr. Siva Kumari
Chief Executive Officer
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Joanna Burleson
Chair
Managing Director, Monitor Institute by Deloitte
Daniel Lugo, JD
Treasurer
President, Queens University of Charlotte
Dr. Donnell Butler
Member
Founder and President, Opportunity College
Al Fan
Ex Officio Director
Marlene Ibsen
Member
Vice President, Community Relations, Travelers and President & CEO, Travelers Foundation
Dr. Doreen James Wise
Member
Nurse Entrepreneur and Co-Founder of College Forward
Dr. Fayneese Miller
Member
President, Hamline University
Andrea Mokros
Member
Chief Public Affairs Officer, M Health Fairview
Joelle A. Murchison
Member
Principal and Founder, EMG LLC
Dr. Jenny Rickard
Member
President & CEO, Common App
Dr. Suzanne M. Rivera
Member
President, Macalester College
Julio Vargas-Essex
Member
Vice President of Student Success, North Hennepin Community College
