Student U

We recently had the honor of welcoming Jordin Foucher to the Student U team as our College Success Coordinator! In this role, Jordin has worked closely with second-year students and upperclassmen in the College Promise Program, offering individual support to help them navigate barriers, connect with resources, and plan their future careers. She will also serve as the primary point of contact for alumni re-engagement and program evaluation, ensuring that our students and graduates continue receiving the guidance they need.

Jordin’s passion for empowering students and increasing the number of first-generation and minority college graduates fuels her work. She finds inspiration in the quote, “If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you,” and believes that education is a powerful tool for breaking cycles and unlocking potential. With her dedication to equity, access, and support, Jordin embodies her commitment to helping students succeed. We are thrilled to have her on our team and excited for the impact she will make. Welcome, Jordin!

Last night, our community gathered at The W.G. Pearson Center for an unforgettable Spooky Fall Festival and potluck. From face painting and trick-or-treating to lively music, turkey races, and a cake walk, the night was filled with fall magic, laughter, and fun for all ages.

But beyond the festivities, it was about connection and coming together as a community. Big Ups to everyone who shared a dish and made the potluck a true feast. Here’s to more nights like these, celebrating and supporting each other!

Cherokee's leadership and vision are essential in building a more supportive and robust environment at New Hope Elementary. As we welcome her to the Student U community, her extensive experience and passion immediately shine through. Her role as the Community School Coordinator for Orange County’s New Hope Elementary demonstrates her unwavering commitment to the success of both students and families.

In her position, Cherokee is responsible for implementing the community schools strategy, focusing on creating programs that meet the specific needs of the school community. By optimizing community resources and utilizing human capital, she ensures that every initiative leaves a lasting and meaningful impact. Her dedication to addressing the needs of students and families is a testament to her strong leadership.

Cherokee’s work is rooted in the belief that community and joy are central to everything she does. Her approach to fostering connections and support within the school reflects this philosophy. For all of her passion and dedication, we proudly give Big Ups to Cherokee!

Student U is honored to have Joy Wright, a Student U Class of 2014 graduate, working as our Community Schools Coordinator for Vance County High School. As one of the pioneering students of Student U, Joy’s connection to our mission has been deeply rooted from the start. Her passion for bridging the gap between families, students, and communities fuels her dedication to building a more equitable Durham

In her role, Joy plays an integral part in the growth of our community schools by working closely with students to understand their unique needs and aspirations. She is committed to empowering them to reach their academic and personal goals while cultivating solid partnerships with community members to create a nurturing and inclusive learning environment.

Joy, we watched your success as a student and look forward to your continued success as a Community Schools Coordinator.

Join us for a Spooky Fall Festival & Potluck on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 | 5:00–7:00 PM | @ The W.G. Pearson Center

Bring your family and friends for a fun-filled evening with face painting, trick-or-treating, music, turkey races, arts & crafts, and more! Don’t forget to wear your costume and bring a side dish or dessert to share. Let’s come together for a night of food, fun, and community connections. Sign up at https://hubs.la/Q02VVvfY0 to help us plan an unforgettable evening—see you there!

Last night, some of our Student U students attended the Lights On Afterschool Reception at the North Carolina Executive Mansion, hosted by the NC Center for Afterschool Programs, celebrating the power of afterschool programs and honoring the 2024 Afterschool Champions. We're especially proud of Gabe Wimberly, a Student U high schooler, who spoke passionately about the essential role of afterschool programs: “After-school and summer programs like Student U aren’t just helpful; they’re vital. They prepare students for the future, ensuring they have resources to succeed now and offering a place to belong and be seen.” Together, we celebrate the impact of expanded learning opportunities and continue advocating for access to programs that help every student thrive. Public School Forum of North Carolina

I was once encouraged to be my true self and do the work through my passion; my efforts will show for themselves. The relationships I build with the children and families will be lasting memories for them and myself.” - Brittany Parkins.

Brittany’s words remind us that staying true to yourself and working with passion leads to meaningful and lasting outcomes. As our Community School Coordinator, she embodies this passion throughout her work, building strong community partnerships to support the families, teachers, and students at Central Elementary in Orange County.

Brittany has been bringing her innovative ideas to life through her work as she collaborates to bring valuable programs into Central Elementary while fostering a supportive environment for students and offering essential resources to families and teachers alike. We’re thrilled to have Brittany on our team and look forward to seeing the lasting impact she will make at Central Elementary!

The Community Health Fair that Clarke Elementary School had was such a view into what we can achieve when our communities step up and collaborate. What was so inspiring about this event was the effort and support given by community partners like El Centro Hispano, Inc., Transitional Therapeutic Services, Minority Diabetes Prevention, Carolina Fellows Family Dentistry, and Thrive, who came together to provide vital health services and resources for the Clarke Elementary community. This event offered an incredible opportunity for students and families to connect with essential support and educational tools to enhance their well-being.

As we continue to build and evolve our work, we have had the honor of welcoming new faces to the Student U community. One of these faces is Krystle Lindsey, one of our new Community School Coordinators, who focuses on strengthening communication and collaboration between families, teachers, and community partners to ensure the best possible support for the school community.

While Krystle fulfills these roles at Clarke Elementary School in Vance County, her commitment to equity and belief that everyone deserves access to a quality education make her an invaluable member of our team. Her dedication to serving people from all walks of life aligns with our mission to advocate for the often unheard.

We know that with Krystle leading the way in supporting Clarke Elementary, we will continue to see the positive changes that result from our work.

It’s College Application Week in North Carolina! From October 21 to October 27, many NC colleges and universities are waiving their application fees, making it a perfect time to apply and take a big step toward your future.

Join us Tuesday through Thursday this week to receive direct support on college applications and meet with college representatives. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to save on fees and explore your options for higher education. Planning for your future is critical, and taking advantage of resources like this can help you get closer to achieving your academic and career goals. Now’s the time to act—start your journey today!

SIGN-UP:
https://hubs.la/Q02VbRM50

Join us tomorrow as we celebrate College Application Week and learn more about Elon University and what college admissions offices look for in applicants! With many NC colleges and universities waiving their application fees this week, it’s the perfect time to explore the different opportunities for higher education. We’re excited to welcome Elon University’s admissions and financial aid representatives, as well as current students, who will share valuable insights into the admissions process and college life at Elon. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity. TO RSVP: https://hubs.la/Q02V9Zs80

Big Ups to Vance County High School who recently took a huge step in helping students build their resilience, manage their stress, and improve their emotional well-being by introducing a new innovative program.

In collaboration with staff from across North Carolina, VCHS adopted the evidence-based therapeutic curriculum called SPARCS (Structured Psychotherapy for Adolescents Responding to Chronic Stress). Through SPARCS, Vance County High students will gain practical tools to navigate life's challenges with greater confidence and support.

Big Ups to Cherokee, one of our Community School Coordinators, and New Hope Elementary School for recently welcoming students and staff from both North Carolina Central University(NCCU) and Duke University to gain insight into the school and the Community Schools model. During this visit, they explored the various ways in which New Hope partners with families and other local organizations to meet student's needs, ensuring every child has the resources and support to thrive.

We are excited to celebrate a significant milestone—Robin Smith’s 1st anniversary as Chief Operating Officer at Student U! Over the past year, Robin has played a pivotal role in driving our mission forward by overseeing key areas like planning, finance, HR, development, and operations at The W.G. Pearson Center. Her leadership and expertise have been vital in ensuring that our team thrives and that our strategic goals are met.

Robin’s dedication to educational equity shines through in everything she does. She is passionate about ensuring all students can access the resources and support needed to overcome obstacles. What makes her time with Student U so special is her appreciation for how many of our students return to give back as adults, continuing the cycle of empowerment for future generations.

As we reflect on Robin’s first year with us, let’s celebrate her impact and the energy she brings to our community. Here’s to many more years of collaboration and success! Congratulations, Robin, and Big Ups to you!

Last week our students had an incredible opportunity to visit Lenovo's campus for "A Day with Lenovo: Plan Your Future," hosted by the Lenovo Foundation and the Hispanic/Latino/x Employee Resource Group (HOLA) in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. Students connected with Lenovo professionals, participated in resume-building workshops, explored career pathways, and even practiced their interview skills through mock sessions. It was a day filled with learning, networking, and inspiration as our students gained valuable tools for their future professional journeys. A huge thank you to Lenovo for this impactful experience!

Today, we pause to recognize the strength, and vibrant cultures of Indigenous people in America. Let’s reflect on the native lands we live on and the history of how they were taken. Together, we can amplify Indigenous voices, respect their stories, and celebrate their contributions within our schools and communities.

Interested in learning more? Explore these books and resources centering Indigenous storytellers and history:

First Nations Book List - https://hubs.la/Q02Tj_BQ0
Social Justice Books: American Indians - https://hubs.la/Q02Tj_tj0
Indigenous Reads Rising - https://hubs.la/Q02TjVfs0
NC DPI American Indian Education Resources - https://hubs.la/Q02Tk0mk0

Exciting news! Applications for new students to join the Student U family are now open! We offer a dynamic mix of summer and year-round programming to help first-generation college-bound students in Durham thrive from 6th grade through college graduation. Through academic support, personal growth opportunities, and leadership development, we’re committed to helping students and families succeed. If your student attends a Durham Public School, don’t miss out—apply now and join a community dedicated to empowering the next generation of leaders! Applications are due by November 29, 2024.

https://hubs.la/Q02SP_fN0

We are beyond excited to welcome Alyzia McAlmon as our new Associate Director of Family & Community Engagement! Alyzia has been a part of the Student U family since joining as a 7th grader in 2008, and her commitment to driving change has only grown stronger.

In her new role, she will support our Community School Coordinators in implementing the Community Schools strategy, fostering leadership structures that address the needs of students, families, and staff. Alyzia's deep-rooted connection to Student U makes her an invaluable leader in expanding our impact and guiding our Sharing Best Practices model.

Alyzia's dedication to improving systems that support children and families is evident from her years of service on our Executive Board and her personal journey with Student U. We are thrilled to have her expertise in shaping the future of our community, and we look forward to the incredible work she will continue to do in her new role. Welcome back, Alyzia!

We are so grateful that Student U has been awarded a grant from the AAA The Auto Club Group Foundation to support our Financial Literacy Education for First-Generation College-Bound Students program! With this grant funding, we can continue enhancing our financial literacy programming and empower our students and families with the skills and knowledge they need to navigate their financial futures successfully.

We want to extend a heartfelt BIG UPS and thank you to the Auto Club Group Foundation for their support and belief in our mission. Their commitment to creating lasting solutions and inspiring learning aligns perfectly with our goal of ensuring that every Durham student can succeed. Thank you for being a part of this journey with us!

Today, on his birthday, we celebrate the life of Henry Diaz Padilla and the light he brought to everyone in the Student U community. His joy, kind personality, and loving heart touched so many, and we are grateful for the love and support shown by those who cherished him. As we honor his memory today, let’s continue to carry his light forward and keep his family in our thoughts.

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Hoy, en su cumpleaños, celebramos la vida de Henry Díaz Padilla y la luz que trajo a todos en la comunidad de Student U. Su alegría, su amable personalidad y su corazón amoroso conmovieron a muchas personas, y estamos agradecidos por el amor y el apoyo mostrados por quienes lo querían. Mientras honramos su memoria hoy, sigamos compartiendo su luz y mantengamos a su familia en nuestros pensamientos.

Today, we are raising our glasses again to celebrate Korinna Edwards and the two years of dedication and love she’s poured into Student U. Over the last two years as our High School Program Coordinator, Korinna has been a driving force behind our students' success, ensuring they have the tools and support to reach their dreams.

Korinna’s work goes beyond day-to-day responsibilities. She provides guidance, advocacy, and encouragement, lighting the path to a brighter future for every student she interacts with. Whether overseeing advocates and students, working with the tutor coordinator, or helping plan Summer Academy, Korinna ensures that obstacles become stepping stones for our students' growth and success.

Here's to many more years of incredible memories, Korinna! Big Ups to you for your relentless commitment to Student U, and thank you for helping us with , , and !

Throughout the school year, we have the privilege of working with our students in Year-Round Programming(YRP). In just the first three weeks of Fall 2024 YRP, we’ve shared countless smiles and set a strong, positive tone for the rest of the year. Whether it's in our virtual or in-person tutoring with high school students or regular YRP sessions with middle school students, the energy in our community and at The W.G. Pearson Center is infectious. As always, it is an absolute joy to see our students walk through our doors each day. A big shoutout to our dedicated advocates, students, staff, and the entire Student U community!

The Education Attainment Summit was a pivotal event designed to foster connections within our educational community and ensure every voice was heard, especially those often overlooked. Our mission was to guide individuals from school to meaningful employment by providing the knowledge and resources to achieve their career goals. Last week at Durham Tech, the summit brought together decision-makers, nonprofit leaders, and K-12 leadership to develop clear pathways from high school to post-secondary education and the job market.

Through collaboration, we bridged the gap between talent producers and employers, highlighting the value of community colleges and alternative career pathways like certifications and job training. The summit’s positive outcomes included statewide expansion, corporate investment, and community empowerment. By 2034, we aim for all Durham Public Schools (DPS) seniors to graduate with a clear post-secondary plan and for 25% to earn a diploma, degree, or certification. The event helped lay the groundwork for lasting impact and opportunity in our community! Thank you to all of our steadfast supporters who attended this monumental event!

Big Ups to all of the individuals and organizations who helped lead and facilitate this summit:
Emily Krzyzewski Center
My Future NC
The Research Triangle Park
RTI International
Representative Zack Hawkins
DPS Foundation
Made in Durham