alumni blog Archives -

College Persistence team with alumni panelists stand in front of screen with event name Summer Ignite

Be Ready to Pivot: Alumna Rhonda Grant Shares Education and Career Advice with Students

A graduate of The Young Women’s Leadership School (TYWLS) of Queens, Rhonda S. Grant reconnected with Student Leadership Network through volunteering and sharing advice with…

Young Black man in a graduation cap and gown, wearing two medals, stands with his parents in their cultural dress on a lawn

Alumni Voices: Advocating for Change while Grounded in Community

Bronx native Umar K. is a young man with extraordinary focus and dedication to his communities. Currently a sophomore at Northwestern University and majoring in…

Young woman holds up an awards plaque and flowers at a computer science honors induction ceremony

Alumni Voices: Afsana and the Power of Affirmation

Queens native Afsana R. is striving toward her future with excitement and confidence. A graduate of The Young Women’s Leadership School (TYWLS) of Astoria, she…

Young woman in a graduation cap and gown with her parents on either side of her

Alumni Voices: Creating Community at Howard University

Aileen is majoring in Film and Television and minoring in Spanish at Howard University. See how she found her community and sense of belonging at this HBCU.

Alumni Voices: Kye’s Advice for High School Students

Kedar “Kye” Y. has been an arts enthusiast since middle school. From acting and drama to video and film production, his educational journey covers a…

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…

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…