Last week, I had the pleasure of attending Florida Atlantic University’s Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program graduation, where I watched 12 hard-working, first-generation students walk across the stage with diplomas in their hands – a dream they thought might be impossible just a few years ago.
These powerful ceremonies, and the tenacious students they honor, never cease to amaze me. My family was able to take care of my college tuition and expenses, as my wife and I did for our kids. I know the difference that opportunity makes. That, in and of itself, has spurred me to help others.
Seven years ago, O&G was fortunate to be selected by Florida Atlantic to help build awareness for the Kelly/Strul program, which was founded a year earlier with four students. Today, the program proudly includes 68 alumni and each year welcomes more than 20 academically talented, first-generation, low-income high school seniors from across Florida, offering them an opportunity to graduate debt-free from the university debt-free in four years or less.
Through robust PR and marketing campaigns, we have built widespread awareness of the program and helped make a meaningful difference in the lives of bright, ambitious students facing financial barriers. Playing an integral role in the program’s growth and witnessing how it has transformed students’ lives has inspired me to help even more students in their education journey.
As fate would have it, I was introduced last year to Path to College, a remarkable nonprofit organization that helps driven, low-income Palm Beach County high school students achieve their college dreams. I was in awe of the transformative work this program does and knew I wanted to help fuel its mission, which is to fearlessly clear the path for overlooked students to get into top colleges with the best scholarships.
This ultimately led me to my newest venture: serving on the board at Path to College.
Following a community-centered approach to closing educational attainment gaps, Path to College strives to expand minds, ignite potential, and cultivate genius, leadership, and excellence in the community’s most overlooked students. Its fellows apply at double the national average rate, and 100% of the 3-year-program’s graduates are offered admissions to 4-year colleges, with 70% achieving full-ride scholarships.
In the few months I’ve been working with Path to College, I’ve had the joy of seeing so many students get accepted into top colleges – including two who received full-ride scholarships to Tufts University and Brown University. My fellow board members and I are working diligently to see this program expand and help more deserving students realize their dreams, despite their financial situation.
Combined with my work for the FAU Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program, this role with Path to College reflects how deeply I’m committed to donating my time and skills to organizations that advance opportunities for every student. It speaks volumes that several students who complete the Path to College program turn out to be Kelly/Strul Scholars; together, these organizations are truly changing our community by supporting, guiding and empowering future leaders. Their student success rates remind us that, when hard work and drive meet opportunity, anything is possible.
To learn more about Path to College, visit PathtoCollege.org.