CV is thrilled to announce the launch of our Black and Latino Male Scholars Fellowship – a new initiative aimed at increasing the numbers of Black and Latino males in Rhode Island’s college pipeline. Ten high school juniors from Classical, Mt. Pleasant, Paul Cuffee, Shea, St. Patrick’s, Times2, and TAPA are participating in this inaugural cohort. In their first year of the program, the Fellows will engage in monthly learning circles focused on examining the experiences of Black and Latino males in schools and society; college and career exploration; and community-building and wellness. They’ll also be assigned a CV advisor and have access to mentoring and tutoring. In the second year, they will focus on applying to college. Fellows will receive a stipend for each year of the two-year fellowship. Our hope is that this initiative will help participants get to and through college, while building a cohort of young men of color working toward common educational goals and supporting each other throughout the process. A huge thank you to the Rhode Island Foundation for making this program possible.
Summer Workshops: The Building Blocks to Success
CV has a new cohort of College Access Program (CAP) Juniors and Seniors and they have completed our intensive college preparation summer workshops!
“CV CAP summer workshops are crucial; they lay the foundation for what scholars can expect the academic year at College Visions to look like. Not only do our students engage in and with college-related content, they get to know one another through various community building and group activities. Being able to familiarize themselves with important college topics and language provides them with early tools to be successful as they enter their senior year of high school. From communications & email etiquette, college list building, and financial aid to life mapping for college essay brainstorming and animated games of mafia, our scholars leave summer workshops confident, settled, and with a greater understanding of what to expect as they undergo the college application process.” – Lariona Jacobs, College Access Program Manager
Below some students reflect on important lessons they have gained from CV summer workshops:
“I gained more confidence in the college application process and I’ve become more informed on what to expect.”
“Being able to understand how to compose an effective supplemental essay and how important it is to be a first-gen college student.”
“Two important lessons that I learned was to be intentional and confident in yourself. Whether it be in real life or applying to colleges. Be intentional in looking for what you want and be realistic.”
“CV gives me the opportunity to meet new people, and inspire me more to seek for help when it comes down to college stuff.
It’s Graduation Season!
“After graduating from nursing school, I am excited but also nervous and anxious about starting my career. I want to provide the best care possible to all my patients and I trust in the foundation that RIC School of Nursing has provided. I plan on taking advantage of all the opportunities that come my way to keep expanding my knowledge and growing as a nurse.”
– Katherine Rodriguez, Rhode Island College ’21
We are so proud of every low-income and first-generation student who has pushed through their circumstances to persevere and get to this point in their journey–high school and college graduation! Your strength and hard work is unmatched! And, thank you to all the CV supporters who continue to volunteer and donate in support of each student striving for better! Thank you!
Read Katherine’s interview below!
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Meet High School Graduate: Matthew Perea
“CV is an amazing opportunity that really helps a lot of first-generation students think and learn about college. Your donations help this amazing organization to keep running. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
With support from his CV community, Matthew will be attending the University of Rhode Island in the fall and majoring in Biomedical Engineering! Matthew’s dedication and hard work has not only gotten him admission into his college of choice, but a major scholarship!
Find out which by reading his interview below!
[Read more…] about Meet High School Graduate: Matthew Perea
Congratulations First-Generation College Graduate: Chelsea Fevry
It’s a very tough time to graduate from college. The Class of 2020 missed out on so many celebrations and events and faces deep uncertainty. Despite these challenges, we hope you will join us in celebrating the hard work and talent of Chelsea and all the other 2020 college graduates.
“The most challenging part of college was not having many people around me that understood the challenges and the huge significance that came with being a first-generation college student. CV helped me overcome this challenge by providing support in the form of a CV advisor. Having a CV advisor throughout the duration of college gave me solace and comfort that I had someone to relate to when I wasn’t finding that support in my immediate environment in college. Whenever I spoke to my advisor, it reassured me that I had someone who understood my background and believed in my academic ability.”
Because of your support, first-generation students like Chelsea receive essential support, guidance, and access to resources throughout their college journeys. She, like many others in CV, exemplifies the power of a community united and the affect it has on low-income and first-generation students.
Chelsea is now a proud graduate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology! Read her interview below!
[Read more…] about Congratulations First-Generation College Graduate: Chelsea Fevry
