The following is a press release from the College Advising Corps
Chapel Hill, NC – The White House has named College Advising Corps (CAC) Founder and CEO, Dr. Nicole Hurd, a “Champion of Change for College Opportunity.” This recognition reflects the tremendous impact CAC’s nearly 600 near-peer advisers are generating for students throughout the nation. According to the White House’s press release, this prestigious honor acknowledges the important work individuals have done in their communities to strengthen access to high-quality education.
“This honor belongs to the entire College Advising Corps,” said Dr. Hurd. “It is a tribute to the work of our advisers who decided upon graduation to increase opportunity for others. Our organization is dedicated to empowering students and this critical work would not be possible without the support and commitment of our universities, high schools, partners, staff, and board.”
With a national student-to-counselor ratio of over 450:1, many students lack the support they need to prepare for and apply to college. A different reality is taking shape among students who work with a CAC adviser. More than half (53%) of CAC’s nearly 600 2016-17 advisers were the first in their families to graduate from college, and 69% identify as people of color. This past academic year CAC advisers:
- Helped students submit more than 322,000 college applications with an eye for match and fit.
- Assisted students, the majority of whom come from low-income families, to access more than $1.1 billion in scholarships and institutional aid.
Dr. Hurd is one of eleven individuals recognized with the honor. Included on the list is Dr. Daniel Porterfield, President of Franklin & Marshall (a CAC partner university) and a long-time supporter of CAC’s work.
“Nicole is one of the most extraordinary leaders in education, and it is a privilege to work side-by-side with her and the College Advising Corps. She has transformed the lives of thousands of students by combining a powerful vision – that all students deserve high quality college advising – with a relentless commitment to making that vision a reality. There are few leaders in any field who have shaped so many futures,” said David Coleman, President and CEO of the College Board.
Dr. Hurd will be honored at a White House event on Friday, September 30, at 2:30 PM ET. The event will be live streamed on the White House website at www.whitehouse.gov/live/. You can follow the conversation from the event on social media by accessing #WHChamps and #CollegeOpportunity.
This past August, Dr. Hurd was named by Washington Monthly as one of the most innovative people in higher education. Earlier this year, she outlined the history and vision for CAC in a 1-to-1 interview with Charlie Rose.
ABOUT THE COLLEGE ADVISING CORPS
College Advising Corps, based in Chapel Hill, N.C., works to increase the number of low-income, first-generation college and underserved high school students who enter and complete higher education. To deliver on this mission, the College Advising Corps places well-trained, recent college graduates from 25 partner institutions of higher education as full-time college advisers in the nation’s underserved schools. The College Advising Corps provides the support that high school students need to navigate the complex processes of college admissions, securing financial aid and enrolling in schools that serve them well. For the 2016-2017 school year, College Advising Corps has 597 advisers in 605 high schools across 15 states. They are serving 187,500 students. For more information, go to www.advisingcorps.org.
CONTACT
Kevin Anselmo, College Advising Corps Media Relations
kevin@experientialcommunications.com
Tel: 1-919-260-0035
