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Third Cohort is in full effect !

🎓🌟 Celebrating National First Generation College Day: Empowering Dreams at College Possible Chicago! 🌟🎓 Today, as we commemorate National First Generation College Day, I am filled with immense pride and gratitude to be a part of an organization that is making a profound impact on the lives of first-generation college students. 🌟 First Generation, but NOT Last! 🌟 For many of our students, the path to higher education is uncharted territory, and the journey is filled with challenges that might seem insurmountable. Yet, they stand resilient, driven by a fierce determination to break barriers and build a brighter future for themselves and their families. These students are the embodiment of the spirit that says, "I may be the first in my family to go to college, but I won't be the last." 🎯 Let's Continue the Journey 🎯 As we celebrate National First Generation College Day, let's not forget that our work is far from finished. We must continue to advocate for educational equity, foster a culture of inclusion, and provide opportunities for every student to reach their full potential. Special thanks to our partner The Renaissance Foundation who awarded scholarships to our talented First Generation students below. Together, we will continue to help more first-generation students shatter ceilings, achieve their dreams, and create a brighter, more equitable future. 🌟🚀 #NationalFirstGenerationCollegeDay #EducationEquity #EmpowerDreams

College graduation season is not only a time to celebrate the many graduates and everything they have accomplished but also a time to reflect on how #highered can help more learners complete their degrees. Learn more about one of Southern New Hampshire University's partners that is doing just that in Detroit, Michigan. Degree Forward offers low-cost, flexible, project-based degrees to learners who have historically not been served by higher education. Degree Forward in confronting college completion gaps head-on, including launching the Black Male Achievement Initiative to help more Black men reach college graduation. READ MORE: Breaking Barriers: Degree Forward’s Mission to Elevate Black Male Graduates in Detroit ➡ https://lnkd.in/dSiTRNMA

National Signing Day https://lnkd.in/dMmBDTXZ National Signing Day: Celebrating College Football's Future Stars National Signing Day, observed annually on the first Wednesday of February, marks a pivotal moment for high school senior football players across the United States. It's the day they officially commit to playing college football at the institution of their choice. This event garners immense attention from fans, media, and recruiters alike, as it sets the stage for the next generation of collegiate football talent. Understanding National Signing Day National Signing Day, sponsored by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), symbolizes the culmination of the recruitment process. Traditionally held on February 5, 2025, it allows student-athletes to sign a National Letter of Intent (NLI), binding them to an NCAA-affiliated institution. This commitment signifies not only athletic prowess but also academic and personal responsibility. Evolution and Significance Historically, National Signing Day consolidated various college signing events into a single national event in 1981, aimed at streamlining the recruitment process. Over time, the event has grown in scope and media coverage, with a resurgence of an...

WHAT'S YOUR "WHY" Saint Mark's High School brothers, Tyler and Kyle Iudica are proud to continue their Spartan Family Legacy, but what led them to their decision to enroll at Saint Mark's High School from H.B. du Pont Middle School?! "I chose Saint Mark's High School because it felt like home from the start. The open house revealed exciting academic plans, solidifying it as the perfect place for my education. Conversations with coaches were crucial in helping me decide because sports are integral to who I am. Hearing President Tom Fertal express his dedication and plans for improvements, made me know that I was standing in the school of my future." -Tyler Iudica '25 "Choosing Saint Mark's High School was an easy decision for me. It's the only school that felt like home from the first time I stepped on campus. Growing up, attending events with my proud alumni parents created a strong connection. The good class sizes and a range of Honors level courses made the decision even easier. Additionally, the opportunities in the sports programs got me genuinely excited to attend. Saint Marks is a tight-knit community, focusing not just on education but also on forming meaningful connections beyond the classroom." - Kyle Iudica '27 Spartans, what is your "WHY"? Why will you select Saint Mark's for high school? Enrollment agreements for the Saint Mark's Class of 2028 are due February 15th. Completing an enrollment agreement by 2/15 claims any awards that a student has on file, and officially enrolls them in the Class of 2028. Due to the immense interest in Saint Mark's High School, awards that are not claimed by 2/15 will be terminated. Admitted students who do not enroll by 2/15 cannot be guaranteed a seat in the Saint Mark's Class of 2028. Questions?: [email protected] or 302-757-8721 It is - without a doubt - the best time to be a Spartan! #SaintMarksHS #AllThingsPossible #SpartanStrong

More good news from UToledo!

🤝 It warms my heart to see that my Networking Workshop created such an impact on you. The importance of networking and building meaningful connections is undervalued by many students - it brings you career development opportunities, advice for your business ventures, mentorship opportunities, and more; I am glad to see that students like you are enthusiastic to learn more about it! And of course, a big thank you to Class Action, Babson College, and all the organizers for making this event happen! If you missed the workshop but are ready to leverage the power of networking to achieve your goals, DON'T forget to FOLLOW me on LinkedIn!! I'll be sharing proven methods and tips to help you elevate your networking success! #SocialNetworking #future #careers #networking #personaldevelopment #opportunities #networkingtips #entrepreneurship #startup #careerdevelopment #mentorship #innovation

Oh, that sneaky Florida alum Chris Rapozo decides to call me out on a Saturday! Wait...does that make me...Gator bait??? 😂 But, he asks a great #higheredmarketing question about smaller institutions creating the kind of brand loyalty that we normally see at large institutions. In addition to Chris's four great tips, I would add: 💡 Stop the *desperate* pursuit of media coverage. I've worked at three small institutions where media coverage was at the top of the brand loyalty priority list. In hindsight...NOPE! The extremely valuable time that your (presumably) small/understaffed comms/marketing team spends chasing media coverage could be better used CREATING valuable, searchable news content for the website, social media, and newsletters. Besides, an internal news strategy gives you more control of your narrative to build brand loyalty. 💡 Speaking of searchable news content, get your comms/marketing team trained on content marketing and SEO. It doesn't sound sexy; but students, alumni and donors LOVE it when their small institution fills the first couple of pages of search results! 💡 Leverage video to capture the vibe of your campus, especially if you can enlist student and faculty influencers. It doesn't have to be "exciting" so much as it has to authentically represent your brand to your audience. 💡 Speaking of which...galvanize YOUR audience. Brand loyalty isn't about popularity so much as it's about the relationship you develop with your faculty and staff (#employerbranding), students and their families, alumni, donors, and surrounding community. A small army of vocal brand ambassadors is more powerful than a population of people who have heard of you but can take or leave your brand. And since I've had the pleasure of hanging out at UF a couple of times, I'll do a Gator Chomp today just for you, Chris. 🐊

Allow me to briefly climb up on my spoapbox and address one of the topics I am most passionate about, neurodiversity. I will be turning 57 this year, and when I was in school, any child who was not "normal" was hidden away in the special education classroom. Children who couldn't stay focused, had trouble reading, or acted out in class were labeled as difficult, or disruptive. An entire group of children was lost, their potential unrealized. How many of those children, had they been given the chance and been provided with the support and tools they needed to thrive, would've gone on to be great contibutors to society? Sadly we'll never know. Fortunately today, education is much different. Children are tested at an early age so that any learning differences can be identified and addressed. Unfortunately this is expensive, requires a staff that is specially trained and a faculty willing (and able-many schools do not provide the time or resources) to implement individualized educational plans. For many neurodiverse students school can be a difficult environment both socially and academically. It is a place that frequently causes them anxiety. This can also place added stress on a family, as parents struggle to find answers and solutions. For those of you fighting for your kids everyday, feeling like you're not being heard and that all your effort isn't achieving positive outcomes, please know there are people and resources and places that can help. Beacon College was the first fully accredited 4 year college in the US, founded specifically to educate and support the nuerodiverse student. It is a transformative place, an institution who's sole mission is to prepare your son or daughter for the rest of their lives. It's employs a holistic approach geared to each student individually and it provides them with the tools to thrive academically and socially. The faculty and staff are 100% committed to their mission and work hard every day to provide a safe space that both nutures and challenges. In addition to the standard 4 year degree, they offer a wide range of options from college prep courses to summer immersion programs. If you're worried that your child will never be able to "do college" please check out Beacon College. It will open up an endless world of opportunities for them. https://lnkd.in/exKqGavC https://lnkd.in/esFVf6WR https://lnkd.in/eGwNtCfQ

It's American Education Week, a time to celebrate our nation’s school system, and I wanted to share 3 reasons why growing up in the public school system (& the teachers) helped shape me into the BEST version of myself 📚 ❤️ ✨ 1. Public school teachers don't get enough credit! I always loved school growing up because it was such a safe space to learn and grow -- my teachers set that tone. They encouraged my creativity, volunteered time to do extra help before & after school, became our first coaches in sports, and dared me to dream big. Apart from my parents, my teachers were my BIGGEST role models. Fun fact, for the longest time I wanted to be a 6th grade math teacher, and even now I love guest lecturing at Universities/teaching. I'm still in touch with many of my teachers to this day. 2. The resources (and reach) of public school can be incredible. I went to school at the 3rd largest public district in New York State (shoutout Sachem!), yet the teachers/schools always found a way to help me grow as an individual. Most notably, my first-ever professional jobs came through my high school -- my internship at Citi my junior summer (at 17!) came through the business department, same with my part-time job at a local law firm. I was also never short of learning/growth opportunities -- I took a class called "Wall Street & Investments" in 10th grade, participated in DECA & went to states, and was the President of the Business & Marketing Honor Society. My public high school gave me a LEG UP in pursuing a business degree for college applications. 3. The large ecosystem pushed me to be better (vs. a smaller private one). I think there's this misconception that private > public when it comes to education... I disagree. Granted every public school is different, but I felt very lucky to always feel supported & challenged. As an 8th grader, I had some *big goals* and wanted to be Valedictorian of my high school & get into a great college. I was a competitive soccer player at the time already playing for Varsity (was recruited as a 7th grader!) but was being asked to play for a private high school with a better academic record. I set up a meeting with Sachem's high school Principal at the time & he took my questions very seriously, giving me a tour of the school & laying out the reasons why staying within our *free* public district would set me up for success. And he was right... I had access to every resource I could ever need, and DID graduate as Valedictorian (in large part b/c of the incredible teachers who supported me). -- Is our education system in the U.S. flawed? Absolutely - there are many things that need to happen to make it more equitable and safe. But I can't help but be grateful to all the ways going to public school helped me develop a strong work ethic, love for learning, grit, and appreciation for our teachers/educators ❤️ 👩🏫 #americaneducationweek #publicschools #publicschool #education #teachers #teacher #students