Shuayi, a 2021 graduate of Roseville Area High School, first joined College Possible because she wanted support in navigating the college application process to achieve her dream of higher education. She learned about the program through friends and family members who were already connected to College Possible. The information she was given about was insightful and Shuayi felt like the College Possible curriculum fit what she was looking for to succeed in achieving her goals.
Growing up as the eldest child in her family, she had to navigate existing resources or guidance on her own. Shuayi knew she needed help to make the most of the opportunities available to her, especially as the journey to higher education became confusing and difficult to understand.
“College Possible offered me personalized coaching and advice that made a huge difference, especially when it came to applying for scholarships, preparing for the ACT and figuring out how to pay for college,” said Shuayi. “I love that College Possible is focused on helping students from backgrounds like mine—those who might not have all the answers but are determined to succeed. It felt like a great opportunity to not only get the help I need but also to be part of a supportive community of students who are all working toward the same goals.”
College Possible has made a huge impact on Shuayi because “they are the big siblings I have always wanted.” Every AmeriCorps coach she has worked with had something insightful to say and there was always an easy connection between her and her coach, no matter the difference in their backgrounds. She always felt like her coach heard what she was trying to convey and worked hard to provide the support she needed. For example, every year Shuayi said she has struggled to complete her FAFSA forms. Being able to ask her coach for help navigating the confusing and difficult process of verification forms, renewals, and new updates was invaluable.
The university leaders program exists to help College Possible students earn degrees by strengthening their campus connections through a supportive peer network. University leaders help foster a greater sense of College Possible community at their institutions by creating a social network of College Possible students and mutually empowering one another to thrive. Shuayi joined the first cohort of university leaders because she wanted to be part of an organization that empowers students to overcome the obstacles she faced as a college freshman and help realize their potential sooner and strengthen their skills. “College Possible’s mission aligns with my values of equity and social justice, and I believe in the power of mentorship and community support in helping students succeed. By joining, I wanted to contribute to this important work and gain valuable experience in education, leadership, and advocacy.” Shuayi’s favorite part about being a University Leader is hearing a room full of laughter and witnessing connections being made. She enjoys seeing familiar and new faces “in it to win it.” The way each student expresses their stories and educational experiences helps spread awareness that, at some point, they were all stuck in the same boat and are collectively working to navigate the challenges of being a first- or second-generation student in the world of higher education.
“Without College Possible, I would not have had the courage to attend college,” says Shuayi. “I thought I did not have a chance. Empowerment and autonomy for students would not exist without College Possible.”
Shuayi is currently attending St. Catherine University and is enrolled in the dual-degree occupational therapy program. She will graduate with her bachelor’s degree in May 2025 and is already enrolled in a master’s program, starting in the 2026 fall semester.
Shuayi’s dreams and goals for the future are centered around creating a positive impact in her
community and achieving success in a career that she is passionate about. She has always been interested in helping others and making others content or fulfilled with joy; she intends to pursue a degree in that area to not only build a fulfilling career for herself but also to give back to others. “I hope to use my education to advocate for change, whether improving access to resources for underserved communities or helping people overcome the obstacles that hold them back. My long-term goal is to find a way to combine my passion for helping others with my desire to have a work-life balance and live a fulfilling life.”
What to learn more about what it’s like to be part of the university leaders program? Check out Naturelle’s story.
