Pathways to College has named eight Scholar Ambassadors, an inaugural group of high school Pathways Scholars selected for a hands-on, paid leadership opportunity that extends their training in college and career preparation with a focus on communication and teamwork. Additional Scholar Ambassadors from all program sites will join as they are identified.
“Our Scholar Ambassadors are already inspiring us with their enthusiasm for learning and leadership,” said Judith Berry Griffin, founder and president of Pathways to College. “Their creative and action-oriented ideas spark innovations that help prepare students of color for success in high school, in college and in life.”
Scholar Ambassadors participate in monthly professional learning sessions to support their key roles in outreach, recruitment, welcoming new Scholars to the program and other leadership activities. Research shows that empowering youth with such opportunities increases their feelings of agency, self-efficacy, academic ownership and life success.
The following Scholar Ambassadors represent their peers in both the School-Based Scholars Program and fully virtual National Scholars Program:
From the School-Based Scholars Program at all Newark (New Jersey) comprehensive public high schools
- Isabella Gonzales, East Side High School
- Toni Greer, Central High School
- Najee Jenkins, Malcolm X Shabazz High School
- Jalen Lyle, Central High School
- Santiago Mosquera, Barringer High School
- Santiago Parhuana, Barringer High School
- Mariana Silva, East Side High School
From the National Scholars Program, now available to Scholars in the Central and Eastern time zones
- Taneeyah Simpson, Bergenfield High School, Bergenfield, New Jersey
Pathways to College helps Scholars develop the critical thinking skills and habits of mind that research indicates are necessary for academic and career success. Hallmarks of the proven, research-based after-school program include a focus on African American and other high school students of color; a caring, family environment; a 100% college acceptance rate for graduating Scholars; and program selection based on potential, not necessarily prior performance.
Applications are now available for high school students of color in grades 9-11 to apply to Pathways to College.
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Contact: Alyssa Alston, Director of Communications
communications@pathwaystocollege.org | 202-924-1691
Pathways to College is an after-school program providing information, guidance and support to help African American and other students of color become the best high school students, college applicants and college students they can be. Although we welcome all students of color, we focus on under-served African American high school students, whose potential has been marginalized for generations.