College Success Foundation expands coaching services to five times more college students in ‘22-23 academic year to reverse trend of declining direct-college enrollment for underserved youth
BELLEVUE, WA – September 22, 2022 – College Success Foundation (CSF) is excited to announce the expansion of its college coaching services in partnership with Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC). This historic expansion enables CSF to support more than 4,000 college students attending more than 50 Washington state post-secondary institutions in the 2022-23 academic year––nearly quintupling the number of students supported.
CSF’s student support pathway begins in middle school, continues through high school, culminating with coaching in college that helps students navigate the complex collegiate system with continued individualized support tailored to each scholars’ unique needs.
In the 2021-2022 academic year, College Success Foundation directly supported more than 18,000 students in Washington state across middle school, high school and college programs, including approximately 750 students in college.
“Students are facing unprecedented challenges in college, especially students historically underrepresented on our college campuses,” said James Dorsey, College Success Foundation’s President and CEO. “We are committed to meeting the diverse needs of students through personalized supports that promote the achievement of college and career goals. I appreciate WSAC’s leadership, partnership and commitment to ensuring that our state prioritizes services that help students achieve their higher education goals.”
Nationally, undergraduate college enrollment plummeted by nearly 1.4 million students or 9.4% during the pandemic, from spring 2020 to spring 2022, according to recent data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. The drops are more dramatic for underserved youth.
In an effort to increase college persistence and graduation, CSF has expanded its staff to include 25 College Success Coaches. Many coaches will be located directly on-campus, while others will serve scholars remotely – in a means that students find to be especially convenient. By utilizing a hybrid approach, CSF will broaden accessibility of its services while also ensuring effective, high-impact support for the students who stand to benefit the most.
CSF’s coaches will focus especially on first and second-year college students, where persistence is key. Coaches champion each student’s autonomy––encouraging students to bring forward and advocate for their own goals, while also providing crucial one-on-one guidance. Coaches will host regular workshops on key topics related to financial aid, selecting a major and managing a budget. Additionally, coaches will enhance a scholars’ support network by connecting them with on-campus and virtual resources aimed at making college and career success more achievable, including CSF’s Emergency Fund – through which, students can swiftly address financial barriers that jeopardize continued college enrollment, like registration fees, medical emergencies, and technology repair or replacement.
“As an organization committed to educational attainment for all individuals in our state, we couldn’t think of a better organization than CSF to lead this important initiative,” said Michael Meotti, Executive Director of the Washington Student Achievement Council. “We understand that the path to attainment requires investments and supports from many stakeholders. CSF has the expertise, influence and resources best positioned to drive our shared goal of closing the equity and opportunity gaps in our state.”
About College Success Foundation:
College Success Foundation is a national nonprofit that coaches and supports students from low socioeconomic backgrounds to prepare for and graduate from college as transformational leaders in order to forge a just and equitable society. CSF serves students in public middle schools, high schools and colleges throughout Washington state and the District of Columbia. Learn more at collegesuccessfoundation.org.
About Washington Student Achievement Council:
Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) is a cabinet-level state agency. We are working to raise educational attainment through strategic engagement, program management, and partnerships. Learn more at wsac.wa.gov.
Media contacts:
College Success Foundation
Mary Theisen
Director, Marketing & Strategic Communications
Contact here or email marketing@collegesuccessfoundation.org
Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC)
media@wsac.wa.gov