2014 ANNUAL REPORT Investing in Kids. Changing Lives. Because Montgomery County’s Future Depends on It Jennifer Adams (B-CC HS) Program Director We Change Lives Every Day Lindsey Barclay College Success Program, Program Manager Dear Friends, CollegeTracks Staff Dwaine Brown (WHS) Program Assistant Nicole Cannizzaro College Success Coach Zenia Henderson Senior Director of Programs Kelsey Johnson College Success Coach Rebecca Keiser (WHS) Assistant Program Director Meghan Lynch (WHS) Program Director Patricia Olszewski (B-CC HS) Assistant Program Director Alicia Sepulveda Montgomery College Scholars Program Coordinator Kevin Wade College Success Coach CollegeTracks was founded 11 years ago, by parents deeply troubled that low-income, minority students were less likely than their more affluent peers to get into and succeed in college. We have evolved from an all-volunteer organization serving only Bethesda-Chevy Chase (B-CC) High School students into an organization with 12 full-time staff members and a trained group of 60 volunteers serving B-CC and Wheaton High Schools in Montgomery County, MD. We have helped over 2,600 students since we started by providing admissions and financial aid advice and then support once they are in college to make sure they graduate. Our dedicated staff members are embedded in the schools along with our volunteers and they all are changing lives every day by providing hands-on, personal support to hundreds of amazing students—many of whom are the first in their family to go to college. This year, we changed the lives of 600 high school students and more than 250 college students. You will find some of their inspiring stories in the pages of this report. The need for CollegeTracks in Montgomery County could never be greater, since the fastest growing demographic group in the county is low-income, minority families. NANCY LEOPOLD The reality is that without a postsecondary education, these at-risk students will not be qualified for the kind of jobs the county needs, and without an educated workforce, the county will suffer. Therefore, getting low-income students into and successfully through college is not only a fairness issue but an economic development issue as well. Co-Founder/Executive Director Our programs work, but we realize that we did not do it alone. We want to thank all of our partners in the Montgomery County Public School System, our Board of Directors, funders both big and small, our staff and wonderful volunteers— and most importantly, our students, who make this work so rewarding and enjoyable. KEVIN BEVERLY President of the Board 2 Nancy Leopold Co-Founder/Executive Director Kevin Beverly President of the Board Our Mission, Vision & Programs Our Mission CollegeTracks’ mission is to change the lives of low-income students in the Montgomery County Public School System (MCPS) by helping them get into college, and succeed once they get there, with college admissions counseling, financial aid advising, and college success advising. Our Vision Every low-income student in Montgomery County should have the chance to go to college—with the guidance and support they need to get there, graduate and get on a pathway to a career. Our vision is to expand to more high schools to deliver our services to the many more students who need them. Our Programs CollegeTracks offers two proven programs: The Access Program focuses on admissions and financial aid advising, expands awareness of college and career options, identifies colleges that fit each student, uses a “Milestones to College” student workbook to take students through the critical milestones of the college admissions process, advises on college decisions, engages parents, provides hands-on help with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and other scholarship applications, advocates with college financial aid officers, and helps analyze financial aid packages to find enough financial aid to ensure students will not be saddled with burdensome debt. The Success Program supports these students once they are in college. CollegeTracks helps them manage the organizational, academic and social challenges they may face so they can persist and graduate. The program teaches critical college success skills, helps each student develop a four-year plan, monitors and supports student academic performance, helps students secure ongoing financial aid, and provides individual coaching as needed. “ CollegeTracks helped me get to college. The application process during my senior year of high school would not have been possible without them. They also helped me throughout college, especially my first year when I was adapting to a new schedule, new environment and new friends. - LAURA CARVALHO Salisbury University (BS) 3 The Need “ The need to help low-income, minority Montgomery County high school students get into college has never been greater. Montgomery County is an affluent county with an excellent public school system, but there is a growing opportunity gap. Many qualified low-income high school graduates do not make it to and through college simply because they lack the support they need to navigate the complex higher education application and financial aid process. …for those with a high school diploma or less, there are no high-demand jobs available [in Montgomery County over the next ten years] that will pay enough to live in the county. Period. By 2018, two thirds of all jobs in Maryland will require a postsecondary education. Montgomery County’s strong economy relies on a well-educated workforce. However, far too many graduates from the MCPS’ fastest growing demographic groups—low-income families and minorities—do not enroll in higher education within the year after high school graduation compared to their more affluent peers. College Enrollment One Year After High School Graduation from MCPS 82% White/Asian 63% Black Addressing Workforce Development in Montgomery County: An Economy at a Crossroads, January 2015 Low-income Hispanic 57% 55% Montgomery County, Maryland, Office of Shared Accountability, June 2012 MCPS high school guidance counselors, though dedicated, have caseloads of 250+ students each, making it difficult for them to deliver the intensive help needed by low-income, minority students. There are more than 65,000 low-income students in the MCPS today, 48 percent more than just 10 years ago, including 19,000 in high school. All are at risk of falling off the path to productivity and prosperity. Higher education is the best way to move the county’s growing population of low-income young people from poverty and dependence on government services to productive citizens. The reality is that those who do not enroll in higher education will not be qualified for most county jobs, are twice as likely to become unemployed, and are less likely to move their families out of the cycle of poverty. They are thus unable to share in or contribute to the economic growth in the county. 4 Why It Works CollegeTracks Eight-Step Path CollegeTracks is successful working with low-income, minority students because we understand their needs and we are given unprecedented access to students in the schools: 12 full-time staff members 60 trained and supervised volunteers 6,000 hours spent working with students each year CollegeTracks is the only independent nonprofit with full-time staff located in the schools available to serve all low-income students. Staff members work directly and closely with students through its on-site, relationship-based programs. Similar programs around the region and the country serve only top academic performers. In contrast, CollegeTracks believes every high school student on track to graduate deserves the chance to get to higher education. It does not select students by GPA or test scores. CollegeTracks has developed productive relationships with MCPS administrators, school leaders, teachers and counselors and has integrated its programs into the school culture, including the academic, counseling and athletic programs. CollegeTracks also uses a sophisticated data management system to track students’ progress in real-time so staff can ensure students complete all critical milestones. “ My parents had never gone to college and my family didn’t have the money to send me. CollegeTracks helped me apply to a great program that gave me a full two-year scholarship at Montgomery College and then they helped me transfer on to UMBC. - RODRIGO CASTRO • UMUC (MS Candidate) 5 CollegeTracks 2014 Stats Outcomes 582. high school juniors and seniors served 186. college students served 220. colleges and vocational schools that have accepted CollegeTracks seniors 58%. of seniors admitted to four-year colleges $7.3M. in financial aid offered for first year of college $1,200. CollegeTracks average annual cost per student CollegeTracks students have enrolled in college at a rate that exceeds the average for low-income students nationally and for those in MCPS* 80% CollegeTracks US Low-income MCPS Low-income 6 62% 57% Linda Giraldo Linda’s family came to the US looking for a better life when she was eight years old. They settled in Montgomery County. Linda attended Wheaton High School, where she took full advantage of the CollegeTracks program offered there. As a teen mother, Linda had to figure out a strategy that included taking care of her son, going to college and financially supporting both of them. CollegeTracks’ relationship-based coaching was perfect for Linda, helping her find the postsecondary education program that fit her personal and academic needs. She enrolled in nearby Montgomery College to get an associate degree in diagnostic medical sonography. CollegeTracks advisors also helped Linda find and apply for the scholarships that pay for her MC program and connected her with a health navigator to help her secure health insurance for her son. Linda is a resilient, special person with a bright future. Her College Success Coach will help her make the financial, academic and personal decisions required to graduate. “ Gerardo & Samirna Esteve CollegeTracks has changed the Esteve family’s life. Gerardo Esteve and his younger sister Samirna are the first generation in their family to go to college and graduate. Gerardo excelled at B-CC High School, taking AP and college-level courses, but college still seemed like a faraway dream until he arrived at the CollegeTracks office. His counselors and volunteers provided guidance on colleges, helped with financial aid applications and the essays required to apply for key scholarships that eventually led to him enrolling in Montgomery College, where he received two associate degrees. He transferred to the Construction Management program at the University of Maryland—Eastern Shore and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Technology. Gerardo is pursuing his dream of becoming a project manager. He now has a job as an estimating coordinator for RM Thorton Mechanical and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Project Management at UMUC. Just two years later, Samirna followed in Gerardo’s tracks and headed to the University of Maryland— College Park. As a participant in the CollegeTracks College Success program, she received one-on-one coaching to help her navigate her new college life and her many personal responsibilities. Samirna graduated with a degree in kinesiology in May 2014 and is now in graduate school in physical therapy at Hampton University. During my four years at College Park, having the coaches at CollegeTracks was the icing on top of the cake. They have helped me maintain motivation and drive in my academics and life. During my freshman year, my coach taught me about setting goals both academically and socially. - SAMIRNA ESTEVE Hampton University (DPT) CollegeTracks graduates have attained four-year degrees at a higher rate than other US low-income students* CollegeTracks 36% US Low-income 21% * Rates for 2007/2008 graduates 7 Financial Statement Fiscal Year 2014: July 1, 2013 to July 30, 2014 $197,747 Total Assets Revenue $77,673 Total Net Assets Total Liabilities $120,074 Total Liabilities & Net Assets $197,747 2% Contributions (in-kind) 50% Unrestricted Temporarily Restricted 33% Private foundation grants Contributions (cash) Total Revenue Private Foundation Grants $48,500 $179,592 $228,092 Government Grants $102,920 — $102,920 Contributions - Cash $289,600 $51,615 $341,215 $16,670 — $16,670 $217,144 $(217,144) — $674,834 $14,063 $688,897 Contributions - In-kind Net Assets Released From Restriction Total Revenue 15% Government grants Expenses Expenses Program Expenses CollegeTracks Program Scholarships $576,138 — $576,138 $36,970 — $36,970 $613,108 — $613,108 Administration $59,905 — $59,905 Fundraising $75,632 — $75,632 $135,537 — $135,537 Total Expenses $748,645 — $748,645 Change in Net Assets $(73,811) $14,063 $(59,748) Subtotal Program Expenses 8% Administration 5% Scholarships 10% Fundraising Supporting Service Expenses Subtotal Supporting Service Expenses Net Assets - Beginning of Year Net Assets - End of Year 8 $12,452 $124,969 $137,421 $(61,359) $139,032 $77,673 77% CollegeTracks Program CollegeTracks Board BINIUM ABEBE HUGH PANERO Alum, CollegeTracks Business Analyst, Deloitte Owner, Yellow Brick Road Ventures Co-founder, XM Radio KEVIN BEVERLY BOB PHILLIPS President of the Board, CollegeTracks Executive VP, Social & Scientific Systems Treasurer, CollegeTracks President, California Tortilla Group, Inc. RODRIGO CASTRO KAREN TCHEYAN Alum, CollegeTracks Associate Production Support Analyst, T. Rowe Price International Education Consultant Former CollegeTracks Wheaton HS Director RICHARD DUMAIS JEFF WAGNER Strategic Advisor and Managing Partner, Brown Advisory President, Wagner Kaulius Communications JOYCE GWADZ SUZI WALSH Attorney (retired), Dow Lohnes PLLC Secretary, CollegeTracks Accountant—CPA HILARY JOEL Vice President, CollegeTracks Executive Coach/Consultant, WJ Consulting NED JOHNSON President, PrepMatters, Inc. JOAN KLEINMAN District Director, US Congressman Chris Van Hollen JON WEINTRAUB Member, Obama-Biden Presidential Transition Team Director, Office of Policy Analysis, US Department of Education LINDA YOUNGENTOB Adjunct Professor, Macklin Business Institute at Montgomery College NANCY ZELLER Lab Director, Biology Department, American University “ As a senior at Wheaton High School, I did not know where I would go next. Visiting the career center and spending time with a CollegeTracks counselor marked the beginning of a successful journey. I will be forever grateful to those who spent and continue to spend their time and efforts shaping me into the young professional that I am today. - BERTHA FLORES • Dickinson College (BS) 9 Class of 2014 Colleges & Universities CollegeTracks graduates were accepted at 220 colleges and universities and enrolled at the following schools: • American University • Barry University • Bowie State University • Brown University • Capitol College • Catholic University of America • Chapman University • Colby College • Colgate University • Community College of Baltimore County • Coppin State University • Eastern Nazarene College • Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University • Frostburg State University • Gannon University • Garrett College • George Mason University • Goucher College • Grinnell College • Guilford College • Hampton University • Hood College • Howard University • Ithaca College • Louisiana State University • Loyola University Maryland • Lycoming College • Massachusetts Institute of Technology • McDaniel College • McGill University • Montgomery College* • Morgan State University • Mount St. Mary’s University • New York University • Pennsylvania College of Technology • Pennsylvania State University—Altoona • Pennsylvania State University—University Park 10 *Includes attendance in the Macklin Business Institute and Scholars Honors Programs • Pensacola Christian College • Rochester Institute of Technology • Salisbury University • Seton Hall University • Sewanee—University of the South • Shepherd University • St. Cloud State University • St. John’s University (NY) • St. Mary’s College of Maryland • Stevenson University • SUNY—Albany • Susquehanna University • Towson University • Trinity University (DC) • Tulane University • Universidad de Navarra • Universita degli Studi Roma Tre • University Maryland—Eastern Shore • University of California—Berkeley • University of Chicago • University of Dayton • University of Houston • University of Maryland—Baltimore County • University of Maryland—College Park • University of Pittsburgh • University of Rochester • University of San Francisco • University of Vienna • University of Virginia • University of Wisconsin—Madison • Virginia State University • Wartburg College • Washington Adventist University • Washington College • West Virginia University • Westmoreland Community College • Wilmington University Donors $0–$999 •Columbia Catering •Cards for Causes •DARCARS Toyota of Silver Spring •Greater Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce •Sandy Spring Builders, LLC •United Way of the National Capital Area •Binium Abebe •Greg Abel •Mary Adams •Margaret Engel & Bruce Adams •Rachel Cohen & Alex Aleinikoff •Barbara & Carl Alving •Anonymous •Mariam Memarsadeghi & Akbar Atri •Charles Auker •Joan & Eugene Bardach •Margaret Bare •Michaela & David Barnes •Peter Gross & Rita BassGross •Allison Beck •Darren & Melissa Bernstein •Jim & Susie Blumenthal •Leonard Bogorad •Clarissa & Donald Bowie •Jackie Bradford •Francie & Robert Brady •Carole & Nicholas Brand •Brenda & Douglas Bregman •Chris & Anne Broullire •Felicien & Laurel Brown •Sharon Burka •Jim & Patty Cahill •John Capetta •Alison Cassidy •Terry Chili •Lark Claassen •Virginia Clark •Patti Cochran •Betty & Scott Cohen •Lola Crawford •Jack Cullen •Meredith Daly •Tamara Darvish •Elizabeth & Joel Davis •Stephanie & David Deutsch •Krista & Michael Dorrian •Mary Ann & Ronal Dubner •Jacob DuBois •Karen Kotloff & Ben DuBois •Kathleen Dumais •Dolores & Dick Edell •Ellen & Sherman Eisner •Elizabeth Falk •Anne Lucas Falk •Elizabeth Falloon •Dan Brown & Family •John Farrell •Joseph Felperin •David & Margot de Ferranti •John Finch •Edson Fisher •Gail Fleder •Sharon Fox •Beverly Fox •Leslie Frank •Tracey Friedlander •Julie Sandler-Friedman & David Friedman •Robynn Abrams & Donald Gettinger •Maria Giovanni •Margaret & Delfin Go •Zelda & Alfred Goldberg •Mark Goldstone •Jackie & George Goldstone •Emily Whiting & Neil Goodman •Jaime Banks & Jon Grossman •Susan & Ronald Grudziecki •Noreen & Christopher Haenn •Bari Schwartz & Barry Hager •John Hale •Simon Hamilton •Jessica Harper & Tom Rothman •Bridget & Thomas Hartman •Jacqueline Harwood •Joseph & Denise Hawkins •Elizabeth & Ned Hazen •Jo Albert & Robbie Hecht •Gail David & Steve Heydemann •Julie Grohovsky & Craig Hoover •Diane Kartalia & Theodore Hoppock •Robin Horn •Eleanor & Edward Howard •Lisa Iannarino •Deborah & Kenneth Jaffe •Wendy & Douglas John •Nina Bang-Jensen & Jeffrey Kampelman •Sharon & Doug Karp •Ruth & Ted Kassinger •Marnie & David Kelly •Christina & Jonathan Kemezis •Lisa & Aaron Kenigsberg •Jessica Banthin & Alec Klatchko •Lisa Klein •Matthew Koll •Gayle & Robert Krughoff •Margie Krumholz •Sookie & Claude Kunst •Joan Kutcher •Joan Barron & Paul Lang •Al Lang •Sky Lantz-Wagner •Christine & Andrew Lawrence •Robin & Keith Lawson •Alice & Allan Lazar •Niki Mock & Phil Leibowitz •Patricia Friedman & Blair Levin •Shelley Block & Lee Levine •Joyce & Steve Levy •Edward & Joanne Levy •Bonny Wolf & Michael Levy •Lorraine & Jacob Lewis •Stephen Lieberman •Connie Lierman •Debbi & Howard Lindenberg •Margery London •Laura Sloss & Peter Lowett •Alkis Jorge Macropulos •Mary Maguire •Melissa Maxman & Glenn Marcus •Elliot Maxwell •Catherine McCabe & Kevin McAnaney •Ilene McCaffrey •Barbara & Al McConagha •Susan Crudgington & William McElwain •Elizabeth McLeod •Nancy & Michael Miller •Hattie Ulan & Mark Milner •Elizabeth Moncrief •Louise Moody •Peter Mosca •Ellen & Jim Myerberg •Brian Naylor •Beth Pincus & Anthony Niebler •Katherine & Vladimir Novikov •Janice & Andy Ockershausen •Gail Shearer & Chris Palmer •Steven Parker •Michele & Jonathan Parsonnet •Patrice & Gerardo Pascual •Ron & Sue Peake •Joan Kristal & Steven Penansky •Nancy Peters •Dave Pivec •Nancy & Henry Platt •Carol & Bill Press •Gail Quigley •Maura Regan •Carol Andress & Robert Roach •Carl Robbins •Sebastian Rodriguez •Carmen Rodriguez •Susan Wedlan & Harold Rosen •Beth Rosenthal •Susan & Eric Rubel •Linda & Robert Rubeor •Robert Rudolph •Patricia Ruppert •Kathy Russell •Susan Souder & Stephan Russo •Karen & Joe Sandler •Donna Schena •Richard Schlenger •Robin & Andy Schneider •Anke Scultetus •Hirsch & Lillian Seidman •Karen Rothenberg & Jeffrey Seltzer •Alison Serino •Jody & Joseph Shapiro •Lawrence & Roberta Shulman •Eric Shuster •Richard Silverstone •Jana Singer •Linda & Steve Skalet •Kathleen Slawta •Greg Smith •Suzanne Smuckler •Carol Green & Robert Snyder •Ruth & Arne Sorenson •Candice Stankus •Rich & Phyllis Starsia •Kristin Lasagna & Dominic Starsia •Heather Steffan •Janet & Chris Sten •Judith & Stanley Stern •Fern Stone •Todd Sukol •M. Anne Swanson •Jan & Dan Tannen •Suzanne & Ralph Tarica •Spring Taylor •Lucas Tcheyan •Michael Tcheyan •Zachary Tcheyan •Susan Kitt & Steven Teitelbaum •Nancy & John Tennis •Nancy & Robert Vaughn •Judith Wagner •Robert Wagonhurst •Linda Coe & Michael Waldman •Alice Weiss & Robert Walker •Karen & Darwin Walker •Carol Walsh •Judith & Nathan Wei •Carola Weil •Helene Weisz •Sarah Foster & Gregory Wetstone •Jean & Jerry Whiddon •Doug Smith & Deborah Whitley •Tal & Steven Widdes •Jerry Wollman •Barbara & Richard Wyckoff •Jack Young •Phyllis Zeller $1,000–$1,999 •Bethesda Magazine •Frederick D & Karen G Schaufeld Family Foundation •Sanford & Doris Slavin Foundation •Vornado/Charles E. Smith •Walt Whitman HS (WWHS) Speech & Debate •Alan Berlow •Lisa & Joshua Bernstein •Hali Edison & James Berry •Eben & Wendy Feldman Block •Barbara Brown •Melissa & Peter Delisser •Julie & Greg Doll •Jon & Karen Dubrow •Justin Duffie •Moe & Kathy Dweck •Jan & James Eisner •Gary Falk •Fannie Falk •Bridget & Brian Foist •Joyce & Robert Gwadz •Michelle & Don Hainbach •Mark & Elaine Harrington •Ann & Edward Hengerer •Sally Rudney & Scott Hoekman •Laura & David Klaus •Wendy Cohen & Barry Leopold •Donald & Dee Leopold •Donna & Kenneth Levinson •Dania Fitzgerald & Mark London •Nancy Zeller & Richard McCarron •Deborah & Michael Missal •Shirley McElhatton & Eric Mockler •Helen & Russell Morgan •Nicholas & Suellen Paleologos •Mary Beth Durkin & Hugh Panero •Barbara & Robert Phillips •Ellen & Alvin Ross •Julie Rothman & Scott Sherman •Elizabeth & Eron Sodie •William Tennis •Chris & Peter Thompson •Philip & Melissa Urofsky •Nancy Leopold & Jeff Wagner •Beth Redlich & Howard Widra •John Barker, Jr. & Anne Witkosky •Amy Chang & Robert Young •Mary & Jeff Zients $2,000–$4,999 •Bernhardt Wealth Management •Brown Advisory •The Columbia Foundation •The Ludwig Family Foundation •Public Welfare Foundation •Wagner Kaulius Communications •World Bank Community Connections Fund •Mary Pat & Darren Alcus •Patricia Cross •Louie & Ralph Dweck •Delia & Marvin Lang •Patricia & Gerald Olszewski •William Schlossenberg •Laurie & William Webber •Jon & Judith Weintraub $5,000–$9,999 •American Bank •The Alfred Burka Family Trust •Capital One •Carl M. Freeman Foundation •The Children’s Charities Foundation •Rose & Harold Kramer Fund •Kevin & Diane Beverly •Nancy Liebermann & Joseph Godles •Lynn Ohman & John Heintz •Hilary & Alex Joel •Connie & John McGuire •Shirley Brandman & Howard Shapiro •Kathie & David Weinberg $10,000–$14,999 •Crowell & Moring Foundation •Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Washington DC •Hope Gleicher & Andy Burness •Richard & Nicole Dumais •Rose & Peter Edwards •Julie Farkas & Seth Goldman •Karen & Nils Tcheyan •Susan Walsh •Josh & Judy Weston •Linda & Robert Youngentob $15,000–$24,999 •GE Capital Healthcare Financial Services •The Herb Block Foundation •Sharing Montgomery Fund $25,000–$49,999 •Eugene & Agnes E. Meyer Foundation •J. Willard & Alice S. Marriott Foundation •Anonymous $50,000+ •B-CC HS Educational Foundation •Freddie Mac Foundation •Montgomery County Executive & Council Grants 11 “Helping these terrific kids is amazingly rewarding volunteer work. I find it personally gratifying that I can give back in this way, and more importantly it produces very real tangible results and changes lives. I get the same sense of pride sending these kids off to college as I did sending my own kids off to college.” - LINDA YOUNGENTOB • CollegeTracks Volunteer Advisor Join Us Now and Help Change Lives For more information visit us at www.collegetracksusa.org We’re grateful for your support! Donations can be made online or by mail. CollegeTracks 5126 Manning Drive Bethesda, MD 20814 If you’re interested in becoming a CollegeTracks volunteer, contact Zenia Henderson at zhenderson@collegetracksusa.org.