Meet Our Team

“I am motivated by the unique opportunity that our generation has to be the first to equitably provide education for liberation to all vulnerable and marginalized people. ”

“I believe that a college degree can be a microphone, and everyone’s story should be heard. When we listen and expose ourselves to differences, we really learn a whole lot about ourselves, and our communities, locally and globally. ”

“As a ’07 Teach For America corps member, I began my quest to stand and fight for educational equity by working within the same school system that shaped my educational outlook and I have yet to look back. ”

“I view development work as a part of community care; it is redistributing money and resources to where they need to go to support the folks who face the most systemic barriers. When we center those students, educators, and districts by giving them funding and support, education as a whole can benefit. ”

“ I’m a first-generation college grad and I am motivated to do this work because of my hope for a transformed society where people from different racial, economic, and cultural backgrounds can share power and participate fully in their communities. I believe that transformation begins with education and through access to information and opportunities. ”

“I am inspired by the potential to have a positive impact on the students we serve, and to design professional learning that increases their access to the tools and resources that will help them achieve. ”

“My background as a classroom teacher showed me that students from all backgrounds can succeed at high levels. OneGoal allows me to help present the data to prove that. ”

“ My work is defined by the privilege and opportunity to partner with education stakeholders and leaders across the state of Illinois. I am eager to learn from their experiences and help identify policies and practices that will lead towards higher education outcomes at a transformative scale. ”

“I want to see more students of color succeed. It’s very easy to become a product of your environment, but I want them to realize that there is an alternative and that they have the power to choose. ”

“As a first-generation American, I know the challenges that face our students today. Statistically speaking, I’m part of an elite group who made it through college but there is nothing more special about me than the students I work with. All of them have talents, and are amazing. I do this work because it should be the norm for our black and brown students to graduate college, not the exception. ”

“I’ve always felt a strong pull toward social justice, but felt powerless in impacting change. It was when I saw the power in storytelling that I found my way to contribute. Because when we are able to strip away the stereotypes and judgments from someone’s perception, then we can start closing the empathy gap and all unite in closing the opportunity gap. ”

“Hope defines my work. I think that most dedicated educators, youth workers, social workers, community organizers, and change-makers believe they are in the business of hope. Passing out hope for better a better tomorrow to the young people we serve. ”

“I am motivated by big questions, tough challenges, exciting opportunities, high expectations, and most of all, feeling connected to something bigger than myself. My work is defined by a fundamental belief that the degree divide can be closed in my lifetime. ”

“A sound education serves as the backbone of a successful, understanding society of informed individuals. I wish to leverage personal experiences along with my professional expertise in the education space to help close the degree divide and ensure others have equitable access to life-molding postsecondary opportunities. ”

“I am a first-generation graduate who, in spite of starting high school in a truancy program, obtained three college degrees with a 4.0 GPA. I’m leveraging my experiences, empathy, and drive to make certain my accomplishments are not an anomaly, but the norm for underserved youth across the country. ”

“In my undergraduate studies, I was a Sociology major. I developed a sincere passion in understanding how the world worked and how I could be a strong and strategic advocate in making change. In 2008, I made a decision to become an educator because I wanted to change the trajectories of those I served both inside and outside of the classroom through teaching, coaching, curriculum, and data. ”

“I do this work because this work was done for me. ”

“A college degree opens a door to a set of options that every kid deserves to have made available to them. I do this work to dismantle the system of discrimination and oppression that was built to keep that door closed for so many students. ”

“I was a first-gen college student who grew up poor to lower-middle class. My path to where I am today was challenging and lacked the high-impact supports that OneGoal provides to its Fellows. Like me, I believe our Fellows have the grit to get to the destination. However, taking the hardest path should never be the requirement/norm for any student in America. ”

“To be honest, my mom motivates me. She is a special education teacher who goes to the ends of the earth for her students just to ensure they are afforded the best education possible. During Covid, my mom went to her students houses and stood in the driveway with a whiteboard to teach them fractions and reading because their parents were not able to. If I can do a fraction of the things for children’s education as she has, I will consider myself successful. ”

“College was always my dream. I knew it was why my mom worked so hard every day of my life. However, when I it was time to apply, I had no idea where to start! Making college and postsecondary opportunities accessible to students is personal. ”

“As a first-generation and brown college student at a predominantly white institution, I know about the challenges to reach graduation. I am here to give back to my community and help students achieve college graduation. ”

“The moment I learned about OneGoal, I was transported to my experience as a first generation college student. As a college freshman, I felt academically underprepared and alone. Thankfully, I developed a network of peers, through a summer bridge program, who helped me understand that I wasn’t alone. They became like family and we got through the four years of undergrad together. I do this work to pay it forward and support young people in their college journey. ”

“I do this work for my mother, for Mrs. Park, who helped me find my voice, and for the millions of students across the country who deserve an excellent education and the opportunity to fulfill their dreams. ”

“I first started working on education equity in 2011 when I joined an EdTech startup focused on personalized learning for elementary school students. We made amazing strides in closing the achievement gap in those critical early education years. I have since been increasingly inquisitive about the ‘why’ behind our current results as a society and my role in helping perpetuate what’s working and solve what isn’t. ”

“I am motivated daily to provide the opportunities for our staff to learn not only from each other, but also from our Fellows who have so much to contribute. ”

“ I believe that when students have access to quality postsecondary advising paired with authentic relational experiences, we can transform not only the student’s future but their families and communities. ”

“I do this work because I enjoy helping people who help people. It gives a great sense of purpose to the work, even when it is not a program-facing role. ”

“I’ve had the unique opportunity to experience OneGoal at it’s core as an Alum. I do this work to contribute to OneGoal’s mission and to empower the upcoming generations of students. ”

“In 2004, I entered my first classroom as a high school teacher on the southside of Chicago. Although I am a Chicago Public School graduate myself, I found myself supporting students who were navigating lives and experiences that were very different from my own. Since then, my entire career in education has been driven by a deep desire for students to have equitable access to opportunities and choice-filled lives. ”

“I am motivated every day knowing the work we do is urgent. We are supporting the futures of students today and for generations to come. ”

“Education has given me a world of professional opportunity and deep personal enrichment. I do this work to ensure more and more kids are able to take advantage of the same educational opportunities I had access to. ”

“ Working at OneGoal gives me the opportunity to make an impact and affect young people’s future, working with amazing people with a mission to make a change and close the degree divide. ”

“I do this work because if not me, who? It is my responsibility as a first generation college graduate, woman of color, from a low-income background to share a critical perspective that needs to be at the forefront of the work to end educational inequity. ”

“I do this work for students facing similar situations my mother experienced as a first-generation, immigrant college student without the same network or resources as her peers. Everyone deserves a chance at an education to better their own life and change the trajectory of their future. ”

“Working with the OneGoal Fellows—seeing their passion, determination, and commitment—fostered within me a drive to continue this work and provide everyone an opportunity for success and achievement. ”

“I am committed to creating opportunities for students to thrive and become their individual best. ”

“I do this work because I know first-hand that getting into and graduating from college gave me access to opportunities and people that I otherwise would not have had. ”

“Fundamentally, it is about justice to me. I do this work because people I love have not had equitable opportunities that I have had; I do this work as a model to my children to live a life of purpose; I do this work because I’ve seen how students—when believed in—thrive beyond expectations. ”

“I want to be the reason a Fellow chooses to pursue a postsecondary education. ”

“I am a designer with a background in Arts and Education. My design focuses on bridging the gap between technology and human experience, with the reflection of cultural and personal identity. ”

“Every Fellow I speak with cements my commitment to this work. If they can overcome incredible odds to fulfill their potential, then we as a movement must succeed in ensuring that every student has that chance. As a mom of NYC public school students, this work is very personal. ”

“The work of educational equity began for me during my sophomore year in college when I took an education class as an elective. The professor took on a critical lens, exposing a lot of the inequities I had experienced but thought were “normal”. Since then, my goal has been to normalize equity for all scholars. ”

“It’s unconscionable that systemic education inequity persists in this day and age. I’m doing this work because ensuring all students have the opportunities and resources to achieve their educational dreams must be the rule, not the exception. ”

“I feel there is nothing more important than working to make this country more equitable. Education is the best place to start. ”

“I do this work to support our students reach their goals inside and outside the classroom. I want every student to have the same opportunities I had the privilege of having growing up. ”

“My high school in North Carolina was desegregated in 1970 and 30 years later in 2000, I felt the impact in my classes, the cafeteria, and athletic fields. We were all graduating from the same school but it was clear some had more options than others. Beginning then, I knew I had to do something that wasn’t just personal, it had to be systemic. ”

“I come from a family of teachers, so I was raised understanding the value of education. I developed a passion for nonprofit work in college, and working at OneGoal is how I combine these two drivers. ”

“ I do this work because I want students to have all the support and resources to navigate through their high school transition. ”

“This work changed my life. As a Fellow, OneGoal exposed me to possibilities and consistently spoke into me that I was both deserving and capable of manifesting all of my heart’s desires. I Live to support other students through the process of self-actualization in the hopes it will make all the difference for them, as it did for me. ”

“I am driven by a strong belief that every person, regardless of social economic class, gender, and race, should have the ability to pursue their dreams and should be provided the necessary resources to achieve their fullest potential. ”

“ My freshman year of college I could clearly see the difference in levels of preparedness between myself and students from more affluent backgrounds. My experience is what ignited my desire to address the inequality and work toward educational equity. ”

“I believe educational inequity is the most pressing issue of my lifetime. I refuse to live in a world where a child’s zip code directly correlates with his or her access to basic resources, rigorous academics, and future opportunity of success. ”

“While working abroad, I experienced the impact and opportunity that lives in education, and then realized the complexity of the systemic barriers and how they influence the work being done. It felt, and still feels, that education is where our greatest opportunities exist to change a system that history has created for us. ”

“In my day-to-day work, I get to think about how complex, mission-oriented organizations function, how to effectively measure their impact, and how they might improve. Knowing that my work ultimately supports educators and students is my greatest motivation. ”

“As a high school teacher, I saw firsthand the effects of the degree divide. Our students deserve much, much better, and I want to be part of the change by writing effective, culturally relevant, and engaging postsecondary planning curriculum. ”

“I was lucky to have had a lot of support in my education including a strong network of teachers and counselors; the kind that OneGoal’s data shows is crucial to help students get to and through college. I believe these opportunities should not be a privilege, but a basic right. ”

“The impact that we have to assist in adjusting the trajectory of an individual, that can therein change a community, is what drives the work that I do every day. Providing the spark to ignite passion behind the dreams of our students and the perspective on how to succeed is a responsibility that I believe I owe them. ”

“At the end of the day, I’m most inspired by our Fellows, their courage, their tenacity, and their care for others. I also wouldn’t be able to work in Human Assets if I wasn’t motivated by seeing our amazing staff thrive. I work to ensure this a place where our staff can have impact, be part of an awesome community, and grow. ”

“ I believe that education is the foundation for any just and equitable society. Knowing that I can have a positive impact on ensuring students have the tools and resources to be successful makes this the most rewarding work I could be doing. ”

“My progressive and diverse professional experience in higher education informs my work with OneGoal to alleviate many challenges students face as they transition and enter into postsecondary environments. ”

“This is the most important work in the world. Education opens doors and enables choice, and college is the baseline for preparing students to work, build skills, and have the persistence to be whoever they want to be and do whatever they want to do in life. ”

“ My former students motivate my day-to-day work. I believe in the brilliance of our students, and I hope to provide them the opportunities to succeed in an inequitable world. ”

“True progress, progress that disrupts the status quo, requires innovation. I do this work because I am committed to contributing to the end of the degree divide and thus enabling the advancement of people of color. ”

“ My lived experiences as as immigrant and first-generation college graduate who despite having graduated high school with a 4.25 GPA found herself on academic probation in her freshman year of college. I approach my work with deep personal knowledge of all the barriers our students face and have defined my work as the mechanism to help not only remove but ultimately solve for as many of these barriers as possible. ”

“I truly believe higher education will change people’s opportunities in life. I do this work to make generational changes. ”

“ I believe all children deserve champions who are championing behind the scenes, doing whatever the mission requires to bring equity, access, and opportunity at all levels of education. ”

“We’ve spent centuries fueling an inadequate system that puts women and minorities below everyone else, and education has been the control variable. Small miracles helped me prevail as a female Latina, and I want to do what I can to make those small miracles the precedent for the future of education. ”

“The quest for an equitable education system, although at times can feel daunting, continues to define my work. I know that the small part I play in creating better systems and supports for all students will one day redefine the landscape of our country. ”

“There are thousands of educators across districts and schools working relentlessly to improve the experiences of and outcomes for students. I’m motivated to provide them the support that builds their capacity and leads to sustainable change across the education ecosystem. ”

“I do this work to fight for equity in a broken system and most importantly help Fellows reach their self-actualization without barriers, like educational inequity. ”

“I believe the paths toward equity must be even more intentional than the decisions that landed us in this state of inequity. I do this work because I feel my personal and professional background uniquely equip me with skills and mindsets well-suited to the fight for educational equity. ”

“In today’s world, additional training or education after high school vastly changes the doors that are open to you. I want every student to have the tools and ability to know that they can do that. ”

“The work I do with OneGoal is literally life-changing for our Fellows. That’s it. That’s my motivation! ”

“For many years I worked as a paid tutor for wealthy families and as a volunteer at an afterschool program. The differences between these two groups of students were extreme, both in terms of resources available to them and expectations placed on them. The injustice of this situation was stark. The fact that I get to help OneGoal work toward educational equity is a dream come true. ”

“I entered college vastly unprepared, lacking the skills and mindsets needed to succeed. The OneGoal model is a game changer, preparing students with the noncognitive skills to succeed in college and access a life filled with choices and opportunities. ”

“My experience in the classroom both in Chicago and abroad helped me to realize that while my degree and skills may lie in the STEM world, my passion lies in working toward educational equity. My role at OneGoal allows me to seamlessly align those things. ”

“ My work is defined by a commitment to deeply understanding a problem before proposing the right solution. I believe that technology has the power to support the good work of OneGoal stakeholders to enable them to reach even greater heights. ”

“Every. Voice. Matters. I do this work because I believe that everyone has a right to share their stories, connect, learn and grow into the best version of themselves. ”

“What is defining my work is a desire to support teams working towards a mission that is bigger than us all— providing the tools, systems, and resources that make it easier for individuals to focus on their own core work. ”

“The New York City subway motivates my work. It’s the great equalizer in the greatest city on Earth. People from all walks of life travel together, from point A to point B, on a daily basis in relative peace. If that’s possible, during rush hour no less, how can we not create a world where the same is possible? A world where we all have access to the same, literal and proverbial, seat on the train? ”

“I do this work for children who look like me and whose childhood experience mirrors my own. Children who lack access and opportunity because the system is designed to work against them. Innately my passion is people, and I strive to ensure that all staff have an equitable, positive working experience that will allow them to thrive not only within the organization but in their personal lives as well. ”

“I do think work to be a part of the solution to support a young person’s dream towards success. ”

“ I am most energized and inspired by the amazing people in the OneGoal community, our Fellows, Program Directors, and staff. My guiding star is creating the organizational conditions for our community’s innate brilliance to shine through. ”

“I am driven to do this work because I have a strong passion in working with students in underserved communities to ensure they recognize their potential and have equitable educational opportunities to achieve their postsecondary aspirations and dreams. ”

“ I do this work because it was done for my sibling. ”

“I don’t believe that equal educational opportunity is “the” answer to addressing inequity, but I believe it is an important part of the puzzle. Furthermore, I believe that the formal questioning, analysis, and reflection that is built into evaluation work is key to the continued effectiveness of any intervention, program, or organization. ”

“Design is a tool for transformation, and my hope is to apply my skills to contribute to the development of an equitable world. ”

“My own journey as a first-generation college student and first-generation professional committed me to the work of dismantling systemic inequity in our education system. ”

“Educational equity is something that I have dedicated my life to because every individual deserves to feel validated, have the opportunity to dream big, create goals, and accomplish those things and turn it into a reality. ”

“ I do this work for the goal of collective liberation and well-being. I do this work to dismantle systems that have intentionally and historically disenfranchised folk. I do this work to build community and relationships grounded in equity, belonging, and justice. I do this work to support young people in having the freedom of opportunity to explore their own greatness. ”

“As a first generation college student, education changed the trajectory of my and my family’s life. Education helped me understand the systems in which I grew up in, it gave me the language to articulate experiences I couldn’t put into words and it empowered me to define and realize my future path. I believe every individual deserves the opportunity to do the same. ”

“I joined OneGoal to be part of a movement combining the power of students, teachers and communities to create a more equitable education system where college is possible for all young people, regardless of race, zip code or socioeconomic status. ”

“I do this work because I believe all young people deserve opportunities to create the lives they envision for themselves. Striving to build spaces where BIPOC students have the experience of feeling fully seen, affirmed, and celebrated in their aspirations energizes me every day. ”

“I believe that teachers play the most important role in the fight for educational inequity and that it is both the most rewarding and hardest job out there. I am dedicated to providing them what they need to show up for kids day after day. ”

“I do this work for the young people and to ensure everyone has equal access to their right to education and the growth and empowerment it provides. ”

“What motivates me is all of the students I’ve had the opportunity to meet and all of their beautiful and wonderfully complex stories. What motivates me is all the students I have yet to meet, and their dreams, goals, stories, and struggles. ”

“I see my work as as planting a flower and continuing to do the work, day in and day out, so that it becomes something beautifully made with love and care. ”

“Seeing the real impact that OneGoal has on Fellows is the most motivating aspect of my work; I seek to ensure that we can increase the number of students who have access to OneGoal. ”

“The law of conservation of energy says that energy cannot be created or destroyed. It can only be transferred from one form to another. I remember being a first-generation, minority college student. I am thankful for the energy my mentors and educators gave to empower me to persist to graduation. I want to give that same energy back, tenfold. ”

“I previously served as a college counselor at a high school. While in this position, I became passionate about closing the degree divide and ensuring that all young people can achieve their postsecondary dreams. ”

“ Seeing youth of color realizing that no matter where they come from, they can make it out motivates me to do this work day in and day out. ”

“My work is defined by the notion that, as long as inequity exists, our world as a whole will be negatively affected and we all have a responsibility to be active in trying to fight against it. ”

“My mother worked as a cashier on an annual salary of $18,000 a year to put me through college and I know personally how hard it is for a low-income family to face the challenges of college application, admission, matriculation, and graduation. I do this work because in the words of Frederick Buechner, I have found the place where my ‘deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.’ ”

“As a first-generation college student, I didn’t have many resources available to me as I was learning to navigate higher education. This led me to believe that I didn’t belong in college. Although my journey was filled with many struggles, I am proud to be a college graduate. Now I want to become who I needed when I was younger and help students realize that they belong wherever they wish to go. ”

“I do this work because I did not see a lot of my childhood classmates pursue a postsecondary education. Some did not even graduate 8th grade or dropped out of high school. This was the norm. I want to change that. ”

“I grew up in a small, rural town and it was often difficult to imagine the possibilities beyond my small town bubble. My college education showed me the world while also giving me the opportunity to be whatever I could dream of being. I’m dedicated to bringing the world to Fellows in Chicago so they too can dream without limits. ”

“ My experiences as a first-generation college graduate, CPS alumnus, and Posse Scholar have truly influenced my passion for disrupting the opportunity gap. I am forever grateful to the support systems that aided me in my college journey which fuels my commitment in ensuring all youth have the resources and opportunities to pursue their postsecondary endeavors successfully. ”

“My work is defined by genuine love. At the very core of what I do and who I am is a deep love for all children, especially those who continue to triumph in the face of systemic challenges. ”

“I grew up in a fiercely divided community, splintered across racial lines. I do this work to ensure that students in communities like mine have access to an equal and excellent education in order to achieve dreams they didn’t know they could dream. ”

“I believe this is some of the most important social justice work of our generation—linked to broader social issues such as race, class, and gender equity. As a former Program Director, I saw the need for this work, as well as the results that OneGoal gets. I believe this is my life’s work. ”

“Access and support were undoubtedly the levers that made the difference in my journey throughout higher education. I believe in the transformative impact that a college education can have, and I am committed to building systems of support that are informed by the unique experiences our Fellows have and function with a fundamental belief in their ability to be successful. ”

“As a native Chicagoan, Chicago Public Schools student, and first-generation college graduate, I want to ensure that all students have the opportunities that I was fortunate enough to attain. ”

“I started working with OneGoal Fellows as a Program Director in 2007. Since then, I have been in awe of the amazing young people I’ve worked with, and in disbelief at the structural obstacles our country forces them to face along their journey. I refuse to throw my hands up. The young people we work with will change the world if we help them navigate the complicated postsecondary landscape. ”

“I am motivated by Dr. Ali Binazir’s thought that the probability of anyone’s existence are basically zero. This means that I and every human being around me are tiny miracles. As miracles, we have a responsibility to make an impact on this Earth we live in, the people we see and the lives we touch. ”

“As a first generation college student in a family forced to make tough choices to fund my education, I have benefitted from the opportunities that came with a college degree and want to work toward giving all students that same chance. ”

“I do this work for a more just and equitable present and future. I know the students of today are the leaders of tomorrow, and they deserve access to every opportunity to ensure that leadership can come alive and make a difference in our world. ”

“I entered college as a participant of an early orientation program geared towards students traditionally underrepresented in higher education. The program made a huge impact on my undergraduate career, and also introduced me to what it means to have educational equity. At that point, I became determined to create an impact on students of similar, challenging backgrounds as myself. ”

“ I do this work for all of the students that never got their fair chance to access an equitable education and to serve as a guide for the future students navigating the system. ”

“ After I graduated high school, my mother looked at me and said, “you have made it as far as I did. After this, I am not sure how to help you. I will do my best, but you and I are going to have to figure this out together.” It was a struggle for both of us. After that, I knew I never wanted anyone to have to feel like this when sending their child off on their postsecondary pathway. ”

“ I am motivated by the African Proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child”. My village has provided me the knowledge, tools, skillset, and exposure necessary to see myself as intelligent, capable, and worthy of achieving every goal I desired. My hope is to serve as an invaluable village member that supports our fellows in achieving their dreams. ”

“Our most essential task is preparing young people for their futures. The OneGoal Fellows I began working with a decade ago have earned degrees and credentials, embarked on their careers and started families. Their setbacks and triumphs are not only shaping their lives for the better but will impact generations to come. I am privileged to be a small part of this work. ”

“The brilliance and resilience in the young people I serve is a reminder to me of why this work matters. My work is defined daily by each and every young person who has their ‘ah-ha’ moment of what is possible for them and their life. ”

“I am motivated in my day-to-day work knowing that I am impactful in positively changing the trajectory of brilliant, young Fellows by creating equitable collegiate opportunities and removing barriers that previously stood in the way. ”

“As a first-generation college graduate, I am willing to learn, to share, to push, and to develop so we can approach this work in response to the needs of our students. They are my motivation to do better and help them find their path to college and beyond. ”

“As an immigrant and first-generation graduate, OneGoal’s impact resonates with me personally. I’m inspired by Fellows who define their own success and pursue their unique pathways. ”

“I have inherited a motivation to seek educational advancement for black + brown youth from my great-grandparents and grandparents who were not allowed to attend college, let alone primary and/or secondary school. Their resilience to persist despite having little to no access contribute to my being here; and like them, I am determined to cultivate pathways of success, especially for those impacted by similar forms of injustice. ”

“ Every single student deserves the chance to be their best self. Their future should be bright and full of opportunity and optimism. I want to be a link in the chain between their high school journey and the rest of their lives. ”

“I do this work because quality education around college access should be a given to all students and should not be the factor that hinders you from achieving your dreams. ”

“Knowledge being power is what defines my work. Students need to have access to resources that allow them to increase their knowledge in areas historically kept from them due to the inequities in this country. ”

“I find motivation in my day-to-day work by approaching my role as a ministry rather than a job. I have been called to this work. I thrive on building and maintaining effective relationships with students, teachers, and additional stakeholders involved in striving towards achieving equity in education and social justice for all students. ”

“I saw two of my close friends fail out of their colleges freshman year. They were bright and hardworking students who lacked direction in choosing the right school and navigating the maze of higher education systems. I am extremely motivated to make sure this does not happen to OneGoal Fellows. ”

““When you see something that is not right, not just, not fair, you have a moral obligation to say something. To do something. Our children and their children will ask us, ‘What did you do? What did you say?’” – John Lewis ”

“When I was given the opportunity to be a OneGoal Program Director, it let me know just how real of a problem educational inequity was in the lives of not only the students in my classroom, but students across the country and educational system as a whole. I want to do my part to change that. ”

“My nieces motivate me daily and I think about them when I do the work. I want the best for them and I know that when we serve our Fellows, we are serving someone’s niece, nephew, son, or daughter. ”

“My parents worked hard and used their privileges to give me access to amazing educational and enrichment opportunities inside and outside the classroom. I want to use what I have gained and my privilege to help others achieve their own personal goals while also dismantling the systems that restrict opportunities in the first place. ”

“I firmly believe that talent is broadly distributed, but opportunity is not. Our work is closing the degree divide and leveling the playing field for students who would otherwise not have access to postsecondary pathways. ”

“My work is defined by impact. Every one of our Fellows who is progressing towards and succeeding in their postsecondary path forms a defining moment for me. ”

““Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela ”

“I believe deeply that first generation students deserve to be seen, challenged, and supported, especially in a system that doesn’t prioritize their success and wellbeing. ”

“I do this work to be the change I want to see in the world. ”

“I do this work because someone did it for me, and that allowed me to achieve my dreams. Education should not feel like bumper cars. No one should be able to decide who wins and who loses, it’s not right. So we have to fix that, so everyone can learn, have access to opportunities, and pave their own path. ”

“ All students must have access to the postsecondary pathway that fits their goals and dreams in order for us to have an equitable society. ”

“ I do this work because I want to live in a community where all voices are heard, respected, and valued. I believe this starts in schools by supporting and empowering young people. ”

“Many years ago, I walked down to my mailbox and opened a letter from Boston University which started with “Congratulations, we are pleased to accept you to the Boston University Class of 2013.” It was one of the best feelings of my life. I aspire for talented students from all zip codes to have their mail box moment and the opportunity to attend their fit school. ”

“My work is defined by curiosity. I am grateful to work in a field that values asking why things are, and how they could be better. ”

“The audacious goals and visions my students shared with me in our OneGoal classroom motivate me to work towards a world that is ready to receive them. As a first generation student of color, I knew how important having a community of support was in helping me navigate a system that was not built to include me. All students deserve to have the same community of support. ”

“My work is defined by what Martin Luther King Jr. coined as “the fierce urgency of now.” We cannot afford to wait to push our hardest for our Fellows and the students we haven’t yet had the privilege of engaging. ”

“I am deeply motivated by the solvability of the problem we’re working to address. We know that potential is equally distributed, even if opportunity is not. I’m excited to rally our community of educators, partners and supporters to create a dramatically different reality for our Fellows. ”

“Every student deserves an equitable opportunity to live the life that they dream of, regardless of race or income. I believe that this should be a reality across this country, and I’m honored to be a part of a team that is pushing to achieve this reality. ”

“My work is defined by my desire to be my student’s biggest cheerleader. ”

“When I saw how great the gap was between the mindsets, behaviors, and ambitions of difference races and social classes in my high school, it troubled me. I decided then to make bridging that gap my life’s work. ”

“My first job out of college was in the educational equity space and I haven’t looked back. It is my life’s calling and I consider it a privilege to do work that brings meaning to my life. ”

“After relocating to New York City following college graduation, I was exposed to the shocking divide between the wealthy and impoverished. This vicious poverty cycle, in most cases, was directly connected to the lack of fair and equal educational opportunities within low-income communities, especially for minority students. I feel an overwhelming push to change this trajectory. ”

“I am motivated by my ability to break generational cycles within my own family and different communities, one Fellow at a time. This work is important, necessary, and powerful. ”

“My work is defined by the ‘aha’ moments that our students have when possibilities become achievable opportunities. ”

“As a first-generation college graduate, the opportunities that have been afforded to me as a result of my college education were life changing. I believe it is my responsibility to give back to my community. I would be remiss if I did not work to create those same opportunities for students like me. ”

“ I am inspired by the power of positive role models to help students harness their potential. When young people are in the drivers seat of their chosen pathways, supported by their community, real change is made. ”

“Because I was once in the shoes of the students that we serve, I have no choice but to pay it forward and help students realize that they are no different from their peers who are given more opportunities than they are. ”

“While I was at Fordham University and knew that I wanted to become a teacher, I started volunteering in schools in the Bronx and witnessed the stark difference that a school’s setting and teacher’s passion can make in whether or not a class of students is engaged in learning. From that point on, I wanted to be the teacher that held my students to high expectations and supported them as they met those expectations no matter what my school’s budget, resources or setting may be. ”

“I’ve always worked toward educational equity, starting when I was a student. As one of the few black/people of color in my classrooms I fought my teachers to learn more about my history and culture as well as to be seen as a capable and intelligent student. ”

“I was privileged to grow up in several countries and among varied cultures. I was shaped by the diversity of these experiences and witnessed the power of education in every setting. While languages, cultures, and foods varied, the opportunity education represented remained a true constant, as did the inequity that existed in this space. Because of these experiences, I have always wanted to work towards creating more equitable education systems for all students; OneGoal has provided me the opportunity to do so. ”

“My senior year of undergrad, I interned at a small (now defunded) nonprofit called Opening Minds: The Washington Region for Justice & Inclusion in Silver Spring, MD. There I got to partner directly with motivated young people who wanted to feel empowered to determine their future, influence those around them, and not just follow the trajectory that had been prescribed for them. I’m motivated by this kind of student-led positive change. ”

“The education a student receives goes on to affect every part of their adult life. My goal is to create solutions and systems through data-driven methods so that the students we serve have the opportunity to be successful in college and beyond. ”

“ My professional mission is to partner with students and other educators to transform the educational space into one that hears, sees and empathizes with students and celebrates their identities, meets their needs and supports their goals intentionally. ”

“As a second-generation American and first-generation high school and college graduate who struggled in school most of my life, I do this work to honor my parents who never stopped believing in and supporting me. I do this work for my own children, Akemi and Kamau, who deserve to live in a world with peers who have equitable opportunities — because inevitably that will make the world a better place for them. ”

“As a woman of color, I seek for equity and equality for those who come from underrepresented backgrounds, like myself. I do this work to open doors for those who are lacking the resources to succeed. ”

“After spending many years as a strategy consultant, I switched careers because working toward educational equity was my personal passion, and as I learned, my professional purpose. The faith that we can—and will—positively impact the lives of black and brown students is what motivates me every day. ”

“I do this work because I am passionate about educational equity and closing the degree divide. Education should be a right for all, not just the privileged few. ”

“Usually, what defines my work is the persistence of systemic oppression, flawed education policies and standards, as well as inequitable distribution of resources within our communities. On most days however, it is the growth and achievements of students I know personally that propels me forward. ”