Investing Early in the Workforce of the Future

We’re a nation of workers – so we all understand the elation that comes when an employer praises our work. Nayib Kuncar of KITEWIRE, a mobile device software and application developer in Arlington, Va., certainly knows that feeling. Nayib’s supervisor, KITEWIRE CEO Jere Simpson, said, “Nayib saved us $30,000 in just half of one of his work days by improving…

By Eshauna Smith   |  April 23, 2018  |  Key Education Transitions

5 Lessons in ‘Setting Course’ for College and Career

Editor’s Note: Despite growing up in a place many consider to be paradise, thousands of Hawaii’s local-born residents are leaving the state year after year — many to pursue career opportunities. Hawaii native Keakealani Pacheco joined a two-week excursion from Roadtrip Nation^®, a Strada Education Network^SM company, to learn more about the diverse careers offered right in…

By Keakealani Pacheco   |  January 2, 2018  |  Key Education Transitions

Purposeful Pathways for Military Families

In 2005, my daughters, Rachel and Kelsi Okun, then aged 10 and 8, became fascinated with the appeal of treasure hunts and wondered if the allure of such a game could support a national goal. At the time, Rachel and Kelsi witnessed their neighbor, Lt. Col. Lanier Ward, come back from Iraq severely injured by an IED explosion, and they…

By B. Robert Okun   |  November 9, 2017  |  Key Education Transitions

Celebrating 30 Years of Student Success With Thurgood Marshall College Fund

Celebrating student success is always a pleasure. But celebrating three decades of that success is a true honor. My Strada Education Network^SM colleague Venice Sherman and I had the opportunity to do just that at the Thurgood Marshall College Fund 30th Anniversary Awards Gala last week. TMCF has spent 30 years helping Historically Black Colleges and Universities students succeed…

By Daryl Graham   |  October 27, 2017  |  Key Education Transitions

Strada Education-Supported Scholarship Recipient Helps Launch UNCF Campaign

At a recent UNCF Indianapolis reception to launch its annual fundraising campaign, it was a Strada Education Network^SM-supported UNCF scholarship recipient whose inspirational story set the tone for the campaign for the more than 125 supporters of the local organization in attendance. UNCF/Strada Education Scholar Diona Richardson spoke about the importance of making informed choices in selecting an…

By Pat Roe   |  October 2, 2017  |  Key Education Transitions

Career Preparedness Takes Center Stage at NCAN 2017

Fifty-one percent of U.S. adults say they would study a different major in college, choose a different institution, or select a different degree program if they could go back and do it again, according to Carlo Salerno, vice president of Data Analytics for Strada Education Network^SM. While college access professionals have been working for decades to get more…

By Kim Szarmach   |  September 13, 2017  |  Key Education Transitions

Internship Program Yields Proven Results for Students, Employers

Shaquille Brooks now is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in information technology, on full scholarship at Towson University. But a few years ago, while a student at Baltimore’s Digital Harbor High School, he was facing challenges that made that future far from certain. During 2014-2015 Shaquille had to learn to live on his own and support himself while still in high…

By Roderick Wheeler   |  September 8, 2017  |  Key Education Transitions

Serving in the Spirit of a Transformational Leader

The Rev. Charles Williams spent his life advocating for equality, transforming Indiana Black Expo into a force for the social and economic advancement of African-Americans. So I was especially honored to represent Strada Education Network^SM as we received the Reverend Charles R. Williams Award from IBE last week. Honored because Strada Education shares the commitment of IBE — so…

By Daryl Graham   |  July 21, 2017  |  Key Education Transitions

Reaching Disconnected Fathers to Benefit Families and the Community

Last week, a young father named Tim stopped by Fathers and Families Center in Indianapolis, the hometown of Strada Education Network^SM. He was dressed for success and ready to share exciting news: After only one month on the job working in security, he had been promoted to lead his work team. His wife, spurred on by his accomplishments,…

By Roderick Wheeler   |  June 14, 2017  |  Key Education Transitions

Honoring a Legend by Expanding Opportunities

Jackie Robinson is a sports legend, known best for breaking Major League Baseball’s color barrier. But, as last month’s groundbreaking event for the Jackie Robinson Museum reminded us, his legacy lives on in ways that stretch far beyond baseball. That’s why I am so proud — and humbled — to have been at that ceremony. There, we heard about Robinson’s…

By Daryl Graham   |  May 16, 2017  |  Key Education Transitions