As we first announced at our Spring Celebration in May, CV has expanded to Woonsocket. This is the first time that we will serve significant numbers of students outside of Providence and the surrounding cities. This initiative will enable us to expand our footprint, increase the number of students in our College Access Program by 50%, and serve another high-need, under-resourced community in our state. And it will be a new model for us, as we will take our programming into a school setting with a CV college advisor, and newest member of the team- Joshua Santos, based at Woonsocket High School. We couldn’t be more excited about this new partnership with Woonsocket High and the Woonsocket Education Department.
Black and Latino Male Scholars Fellowship
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.
Thank You For Supporting The 5K for Kolajo!
Thank you for supporting the 11th Annual 5K for Kolajo! With your support, we raised $8,149 in support of first-generation students! Thank you!
“College Visions helped my brother in the past and has helped me this year. CV is an amazing opportunity and really helps a lot of first-generation students think and learn about college and your donations help this amazing organization to keep running. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.” – Matthew, URI ’25
If you have not given and would like to donate, visit: www.givebutter.com/5kforkolajo23
Professional of the Year: Lariona Jacobs
Congratulations to an extraordinary employee, Lariona Jacobs, for being recognized as a NEACAC Professional of the Year!
“This award identifies several individuals from all six New England states whose contributions to the field of college admission and counseling deserve such recognition. Award recipients are strong and ethical advocates for students and/or their institutions and have a proven record of accomplishment throughout their careers. They demonstrate honesty, patience, thoroughness, and sensitivity in their work with students, parents, and colleagues. They are mentors, leaders, and consummate professionals!
