College Is Real
Organization
College Is Real (CIR) is committed to changing the college-going culture in Richmond, California, by providing education, motivation, resources, and support to low-income, minority students. Since 2005, CIR has empowered students to realize their college aspirations, often becoming the first in their families to attend college. CIR places professional program directors in schools to provide personalized guidance to students. Each student is paired with an experienced mentor, offering individual or group support. The College Success Program, launched in 2022, provides direct counseling and scholarship support to help students persist toward earning a college degree. CIR boasts a 100% high school graduation rate among its participants. Between 90-100% of CIR students are accepted into four-year colleges each year. The student demographic includes 70% LatinX, 16% Asian, 9% Black/African American, 2% Pacific Islander, 2% White, and 1% Native American.
Springboard Question: What advising formats should College Is Real offer in its recently launched College Success Program and what vehicles should they utilize to recruit volunteers to provide career exploration guidance to first-generation, underserved college students from Richmond, CA?
Date and Time for this Session: Tuesday, May 13 from 12-2pm Pacific