On October 30, College Possible Omaha staff, AmeriCorps service members, community supporters, and valued partners gathered for our annual Community Partners Open House. This event was more than a chance to connect and celebrate—it was an opportunity to share exciting updates about new partnerships and initiatives that are paving the way for Omaha students to achieve their college dreams.
Senior Executive Director Arvin Frazier began the formal program by sharing recent partnerships with Westview High School and the College of Saint Mary (CSM). These partnerships are instrumental in helping more students access college support and navigate the path to higher education with confidence. “With these new partnerships, we’re able to serve more students and provide critical support in college readiness and success,” Frazier said. Our partnership with Westview High School strengthens our connection with Omaha Public Schools, while our work with the College of Saint Mary creates a new pathway for students who want to stay local but still experience a vibrant, close-knit community on campus.
Frazier also highlighted recent funding successes, including state funding from the Nebraska Department of Education for college and career development and targeted funding from the Educational Credit Management Corporation (ECMC) to provide assistance for all metro area students to complete the FAFSA. The financial support from ECMC enabled College Possible Omaha to provide summer FAFSA workshops and guidance, helping students secure the financial aid needed to make college more affordable. “These funding opportunities mean more students can receive one-on-one assistance through every stage of the college process,” Frazier noted.
The program continued with an introduction to the Fund Your Future scholarship initiative, led by Senior Director of College Access Aminatu Issaka. This initiative tackles a critical need: raising awareness about scholarships as a valuable, often untapped resource for students. Through Fund Your Future, we’re encouraging students to apply for at least two scholarships each month, with personalized support from our team to make the process easier. “Many students miss out on available scholarships simply because they don’t know where to look or how to apply,” Issaka explained. “Our goal is to make scholarships an achievable part of every student’s college funding plan.”
Events like the Community Partners Open House remind us that the journey to college success is a community effort, and that with the right partnerships, resources, and mentorship, we can make college accessible for all students.
