On April 11th, CPE marked its 25th anniversary with more than 300 guests who saw firsthand how the Power of Relationships can promote life-changing academic success for low-income youth. I have been leading CPE for 18 of those years, so the event and the milestone it marks have been especially significant for me personally. While I am normally a person who focuses on the opportunities that lie ahead, the past several weeks have been a rare time of reflection for me, highlighted by great pride in … [Read more...]

Imane Zirari is a Program Coordinator at CPE where she helps manage a caseload of student-mentor pairs for CPE’s high school program. She serves as a resource and support system for CPE’s high school students and their mentors to help ensure our students are developing a meaningful relationship with their mentor and cultivating the skills they need to get to and through college. Learn more about Imane in the interview below:  Q. What college did you attend? A. I attended James Madison … [Read more...]

Julius Johnson became a CPE student in 2008. He grew up in Oxon Hill, Maryland, and selected CPE because it afforded him the opportunity to have someone outside of his family help guide him throughout his pursuit to college. Now an alumnus of the program, Julius has taken on the role of a CPE mentor to support a young man who was once in his shoes. Julius believes relationships are universal and needed to navigate through life. Learn more about Julius in the interview below: Q. What’s one … [Read more...]

News of the college admissions cheating scandal sparked an important discussion about the responsibility top colleges and universities have to promote equity in their admissions policies. It also resurfaced some old wounds that I realized have had a big influence on my life and career. Many of my high school classmates applied to the college that I attended, Tufts University, but I was one of the few who was accepted. I remember being told by several of them that I didn’t deserve my admission … [Read more...]

One of my most influential mentors, Tufts University History Professor Gerald Gill, always reminded his students that Black History Month should not only be an occasion to celebrate the most prominent leaders in the struggle for equality — we must also highlight a more complete account of the African-American experience that too often gets overlooked. Gill wanted his students to understand there were many unsung heroes who promoted progress for African Americans and never became famous. He … [Read more...]

National Mentoring Month is a time to highlight the power of relationships. As January draws to a close, we reflect on the many stories shared and articles written about the importance of mentorship and its impact on those who need it most. I’ve committed nearly 20 years of my life to expanding mentorship opportunities for youth because I benefited so much from great mentors as a kid and young adult. I know how fortunate I am to have had people take a special interest in helping me develop my … [Read more...]

January is National Mentoring Month and CPE will be celebrating its mentors throughout the month for the time they spend cultivating meaningful relationships with their mentees! Over the last 25 years, we’ve watched the relationships between our mentors and students develop and have seen first-hand how mentors have tapped into the potential of our students to help them become the best versions of themselves. David Heaton has been a CPE mentor for more than 2 years. Learn how he is helping his … [Read more...]

The cost of college tuition has risen significantly over the last 20 years – 100% to be exact, as reported by the Washington Post. As students embark on a journey to further their education, they often come face-to-face with the reality of expenses they’ll incur along the way. Textbooks, lab fees, housing deposits, and other non-tuition related costs are just a few items students will likely have to pay for out of pocket.   One expense effecting millions of students is the cost of … [Read more...]