Summer may seem like a break for our students, but for us, it’s when things really start to heat up. Across our College Access, College Success, and Career Readiness teams, summer is a crucial time to engage students at every stage of their educational journey.
Our College Access team works closely with high school students—especially sophomores, juniors, and seniors—to keep them focused, informed, and confident as they prepare for the academic year ahead and navigate the college application process. Meanwhile, our College Success team supports recent high school graduates and current college students, helping them transition to college life, access resources, and stay on track for graduation. Through our Career Readiness team, students begin exploring their long-term goals, connecting with professionals, and gaining the skills, insights, and experiences needed to enter the workforce with confidence. Together, these teams ensure our students not only reach college—but thrive once they get there and beyond.
Our summer programming reflects our deepening commitment to the 2025–2028 Strategic Plan and its “Grow with C.A.R.E.” framework—designed to prepare Career-Ready College Graduates, strengthen Alumni Engagement, expand Resources through strategic partnerships, and elevate our community presence. By supporting students from high school through post-graduation, we’re not only helping them access college but also equipping them with the skills, confidence, and connections needed to thrive beyond it. From college application workshops and campus tours to career panels and community-building events, each summer initiative advances our mission to break down barriers to economic mobility and create lasting, generational change.
We kicked off our summer programming with Student Ambassador Training on June 16th and 17th, welcoming our rising seniors (Class of 2026) for a two-day immersive leadership experience. Students spent time building community with fellow ambassadors from our partner schools, learning about the college application process, and planting the seeds for new ambassador-led initiatives for the upcoming year.
We kept the momentum going with Fulfillment Fund University on June 17th and 18th. This year’s theme, Camp Fulfillment Fund, brought our incoming freshmen together for “fireside chats” and open conversations with mentors about navigating college life and making the most of their college years. They got a glimpse of what it means to take charge on campus while staying connected to our organization.
As part of our career readiness programming, peer mentorship program pairs incoming college students with experienced peers and recent alumni who offer real-time insights about campus life and guidance on making the most of every opportunity. These mentors are helping our students feel confident, prepared, and ready to thrive.
Next up, from June 23rd to 26th, we hosted our 3rd Annual” Ready for College Summer Institute “— a four-day experience designed to equip rising seniors with the tools they need to confidently navigate senior year and the college application process. Students worked closely with our college counselors to explore scholarships, match their strengths to potential majors, and more. Jamie Black, an admissions recruitment manager from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, spoke about the benefits of applying to out-of-state colleges. Seniors also heard from inspiring career guest speakers and connected with admissions recruiters from Syracuse University, Ohio University, Purdue, and Miami University. One of the most eye-opening moments? They got a behind-the-scenes look at how admissions decisions are made by analyzing real college application case studies.
Students then got a taste of college life with campus visits to Cal State LA and UC Santa Barbara. At Cal State LA, they learned about CSU admissions, financial aid, and choosing a major while touring the campus and grabbing lunch at the dining commons. At UCSB, they toured the campus, learned more about applying to the UC system, and spent time with staff reviewing drafts of their Personal Insight Questions.
Meanwhile, our College Success Team kept the momentum going for our recent high school grads. On June 27th, we held a Game Night at our home DTLA office. It was the perfect way for students to step out of their comfort zones, play games, and make new friends before heading off to college.
We closed out June with our Student Ambassador Bowling Night on June 30th. It was our chance to celebrate our graduating ambassadors (Class of 2025) and thank them for all their hard work.
And we’re not done yet! We’ll be closing out our summer programming with a Summer Movie Night on July 22nd — watching Jurassic World Rebirth to shake off those college scaries — and then wrapping it all up with our Summer Fest on July 31st. There will be ice cream, networking, and good vibes all around.
With so much momentum already, our summer programming is far from over. Each event, workshop, and connection reflects our commitment to supporting students through every step of their journey—from high school to college and beyond. As we look ahead to the rest of the summer season, our students are building confidence, gaining skills, and stepping into their futures with purpose and excitement.