Last summer, Drew*, who was 3,000 miles away at Franklin and Marshall College, texted to tell me he was homesick. I knew this feeling well, as I am a first generation college student who chose to leave my home in Los Angeles to attend a college on the other side of the country. Drew, a rising ... Read More about Making a Difference – Stephanie Vargas, College Access and Success Counselor

This semester I have worked closely with Dave*, helping him navigate personal and academic hurdles. As a rising junior, Dave enrolled in multiple AP classes, but the rigor and the work load were much greater than he anticipated.  Instead of the single hour of homework he was used to, he now had ... Read More about Making a Difference – Luis Chaidez, Advisor and Program Coordinator

I was inspired to work with Determined to Succeed after hearing the success stories of the students - they were matriculating not only to local and state schools, but by reaching for the stars, they were attending some of the most prestigious schools in the country. As a child of immigrant ... Read More about Making a Difference – Ann Rogers, Marketing and Capacity-Building VISTA