College Visions

Introducing New Board Member: Shontay Delalue

We hope you will join us in welcoming Shontay Delalue to the College Visions team! She is the Vice President for Institutional Equity and Diversity at Brown University and we are ecstatic to have her as one of our newest CV Board Members!

Here is what she has to say about College Visions:

“CV is an extremely important resource to the community. The college process can be daunting – especially for those who are the first in their family to attend. CV goes beyond college access support to ensuring CV students who are enrolled in college receive support as well. A first-gen college student can waste a lot of time and money in their first year trying to figure out how to navigate college. CV recognizes that the promotion of college enrollment, persistence and graduation results in ending cycles of generational poverty and in turn builds an educated workforce that can bring systemic change back to their communities.” 

Read more of her interview below!

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Donor Profile with Chris Soto

“With all the inequity in our society, organizations like College Visions help level the playing field for so many talented students who deserve to attend college just like their affluent peers.” – Chris Soto, Founding Director of Higher Edge

Chris was first inspired by the work College Visions was doing as a graduate student and CV intern, now he is the Founding Director of Higher Edge in Connecticut where he is helping low-income, first-generation students graduate from college. To know more about Chris, read his interview below!
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Lauren Zurier: College isn’t an award; it’s a gateway

Many public schools don’t have the resources to provide the sort of college counseling that private schools do, and it puts public school students—particularly those whose parents did not attend college—at a distinct disadvantage in the college application process. The whole college application process is much more competitive and confusing than it used to be, which makes CV’s work all the more valuable to the community.  CV is equally, if not more, valuable in the support it provides students after they matriculate. – Lauren Zurier, Esq

Read her interview below.

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Donor Profile with Joshua Wynn

       “I see how there is a strong need for resources both educational and extracurricular within this state. I truly believe College Visions understands that and has found many ways to fill that need within the community by using the strong bonds that are so unique to the state of Rhode Island.”

– Joshua Wynn, Sr. Application Analyst at Lifespan, CV Supporter

Joshua moved from Brooklyn to Providence and started his career as a Sr. Application Analyst at Lifespan. He has positively impacted many lives in his line of work and continues to do so by supporting first-generation students here at College Visions. To know more about Joshua’s educational journey, read his interview below!

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Meet CV Partner: Jill Simonson Luciano

“We are truly proud of our partnership with College Visions, and equally as proud to support its students on their journeys in higher-ed. You’re right, deciding to go out-of-state is not easy. It’s tough being away from our families, and our support systems. At Southwest, we aim high and take pride in setting goals that can be reached through commitment, diligence and believing in one’s self! I see students’ decisions to ”venture out” exactly like a goal. It can be done! The network of support that CV provides has definitely made these choices a reality for thousands of students.” – Jill Simonson Luciano

Jill Simonson Luciano is the Regional Leader of Community Affairs & Grassroots for Southwest Airlines. She and Southwest are proud to support first-gen students with big goals!Read her interview below.
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