Ten years ago, College Possible Omaha opened its doors and began serving student scholars at Benson and Omaha South High Schools in the Omaha Public School District. Program coordinators began providing our innovative and evidence-based program to recruited student scholars at each school as they began their journey toward earning a college degree.
Over the past decade the number of students we serve has grown exponentially and our program has evolved to meet the changing needs of our student scholars and the times. Through it all we’ve managed to stay committed to providing the tools, strategies and support that students from income-eligible backgrounds need to navigate and overcome systemic barriers to college graduation.
But we have not done this on our own. Our success and ability to provide the support our students need has been made possible through the generous and continuous support of you, our community of partners and supporters. We are humbled by your commitment to our mission of closing the degree divide, as well as your belief that College Possible scholars are the talented and motivated young leaders our community needs to thrive. Listed below are my top 10 moments in College Possible Omaha’s history. Many thanks to you for sharing our vision that one day a student’s future will be determined solely by their talent, motivation and effort.
With gratitude,
Arvin
- College Possible begins serving students August 2011, thanks to the generous support from our Founding Funders, which includes, the Holland Foundation, Peter Kiewit Foundation, William and Ruth Scott Family Foundation, the Sherwood Foundation, Weitz Family Foundation and an Anonymous Donor.
- Our high school partnerships grow from serving two high schools in one school district to nine high schools in six school districts across the Omaha metro. High school partners include: Benson High School, Bellevue East High School, Millard South High School, North High Magnet School, Northwest High Magnet School, Papillon-La Vista High School, Ralston High School, South High Magnet High School and Westside High School.
- College Possible forms partnerships with the University of Nebraska Omaha, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Wayne State College, Doane University, and Metro Community College to promote collaborative efforts to support College Possible scholars on the path to earning admission to and succeeding in college.
- Strong community collaborations with Partnership 4 Kids, 100 Black Men, Teammates, Boys and Girls Club, Girls, Inc., ensures a seamless continuum of support for students throughout the Omaha metro.
- College Possible and our partners advocate alongside Senator Tony Vargas to make Nebraska one of only a handful of states that provide an income tax exemption for Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards for AmeriCorps members.
- Professionals across the Omaha metro volunteer their time and talent on high school career panels. These experiences provide student scholars an insider’s look at the wide breadth of career opportunities available in Omaha and across the region.
- DEI: diversity, equity and inclusion are deemed a key priority by both College Possible’s national board of directors and by our CEO, Craig Robinson. At the core of College Possible’s mission sits one of our five core values: student success. We center our work on supporting students from low-income backgrounds on their post-secondary journey.
- More than 200 degrees are earned by the first three graduating classes of College Possible scholars.
- Despite concerns and restrictions related to COVID-19, College Possible continues to support students by adjusting both the curriculum and its delivery. 100% of graduating seniors from the Class of 2020 are accepted into a four-year university.
- College Possible Omaha grows from serving 72 students at two high schools in 2011 to serving over 1,600 students at nine partner high schools and on 63 college campuses in Nebraska and across the U.S.
