College Access & Success Archives

Young man wearing a cap, glasses, and a striped shirt poses for photo next to Student Leadership Network sign

The Power of Pivoting: One Alumnus’ College and Career Journey

In our students’ educational journeys, there’s immense power in recognizing when to make a pivot. Meet Mohammed F., a CollegeBound Initiative (CBI) alumnus whose journey…

TV screen with Student Leadership Network and FAFSA Help Session on a slide

Supporting National FAFSA Challenges with Persistence and Creativity

Our college access and alumni engagement teams have demonstrated tremendous flexibility this financial aid season, offering individualized guidance and emotional support to our families.

Alumni Voices: Peer Leader Gives Back to Help Others Succeed

Ermina C. is a Peer Leader with Student Leadership Network, where she supports the journeys of CollegeBound Initiative alumni in their first year at select…

Collage of student photos, with two columns of their names and colleges under "Posse Scholars" and "Questbridge Scholars" with title in center "Congratulations"

CollegeBound: Congratulations to our 2024 QuestBridge and Posse Scholars

The journey to college is often both an exciting and challenging process for our students. For those who will be the first in their families…

Nearly 30 leaders in the education and workforce development sector are seated on four rows of an ascending bench

Student Leadership Network Joins Collective of Education and Workforce Leaders Expanding Pathways for Student Success

Student Leadership Network is thrilled to join the Expanding Pathways Collaborative, an initiative bringing together high school counselors, education network leaders, and career training staff…

Eight alumni wearing college sweatshirts stand at front of classroom to speak with seated students

Alumni Days: CBI Tradition Bridges Knowledge Between Generations

Image above: Alumni returned to the Laboratory School of Finance and Technology to share advice with students about the transition from high school to college….

I applied to 23 colleges and wrote 50 essays. Here’s what I learned.

Alexander C. is a senior at Student Leadership Network’s CBI partner school, East Side Community High School. By Alexander C.Originally published in Chalkbeat on February…

"Future Success Symposium" graphic on screen at front of room, with alumni and students seated facing the speaker

Get Career Ready with the Future Success Symposium

Future Success Symposium Equips Alumni and Students with Tools for Professional Success Our fifth annual Future Success Symposium welcomed alumni and high school seniors to…

In front of a wall of public artwork, a young man points to an image of a caregiver and child that he had photographed

Student Feature: CBI Senior Embraces Photography and His Own Leadership Potential

Image above: Daniel J. with one of his photos selected for exhibition at a Photoville festival in 2023 Bronx native Daniel J.’s love of photography…

Group of college access professionals gather for photo in front of Student Leadership Network backdrop

HEOP Works! Higher Education Opportunity Program Broadens College Choices

Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) admissions directors met with CBI students at the interactive event to answer questions about the colleges’ opportunity programs and to encourage them to apply.

McKinley High School students hold up college pennants and acceptance letters on College Signing Day

Tripling Our Impact: College Access Programming Now in Six Buffalo Schools

Piloted last year with direct student services at two Buffalo public schools and district-wide capacity building and training for school leaders, Student Leadership has expanded its impact in 2023-2024 to partner with six high schools and impact 32,000 students across the district.