Grantee Spotlight

Improving Educational Outcomes in East Palo Alto

By Marguerite Rigoglioso

Her name is Taniko Jackson-Martinez, and she’s attending the “college of her dreams” –– Mt. Holyoke College, one of the elite “Seven Sisters” in Massachusetts. For this young woman raised by a single mother in Palo Alto, a four-year, $5,000 annual scholarship from Foundation for a College Education (FCE) has been the critical factor to make that distant dream possible. “I went for the scholarship because my family really needed the help,” said Taniko, who plans to major in economics with a minor in philosophy. “I don’t think I could have gone to Mt. Holyoke without it.”

College Access Foundation has awarded two grants to FCE since 2008, supporting scholarships for Taniko and nineteen other low-income students of color. In addition to receiving financial support, Taniko has benefitted from the organization’s various programs to help her reach college, make a smooth transition, and stay in school.

“Foundation for College Education manages to build and sustain strong relationships with their students from the time they enter high school to the time they graduate from college,” says College Access Foundation program officer Victor Garcia. Anna Waring, FCE’s executive director affirms, “We see college completion as part of our mission.”

In a community where only 15 percent of adults over 25 hold a college degree and high school dropout rates hover at 70 percent, FCE is making an important impact. One of the organization’s unique features is its work to involve parents in the college preparation process early on. “We hold monthly meetings that help them understand the increasingly complex landscape of college admissions –– everything from knowing the difference between the SAT and the ACT to understanding why internships are important,” says Waring. Parents are also invited to be partners in agenda planning and program development.

In addition to offering students rigorous academic preparation, college tours, and recruitment opportunities, FCE provides leadership development and community building activities, encouraging young people to develop public speaking skills and become advocates for social justice issues. When it comes to awarding scholarships, says Waring, “We make sure they know we’re not just giving away free money.” Students must demonstrate they are serious by attending all academic workshops, maintaining a minimum grade point average, and filling out required applications and financial aid forms in a timely manner. Once students are in college, FCE advisers stay in touch through email, phone calls, and on-site visits, helping them figure out how to access campus resources and supports.

“FCE checks in with me to make sure everything is running smoothly,” says Sally Rodriguez, an integral studies major at St. Mary’s College of California who plans to attend law school. “Knowing that I don’t have to go through this experience alone and that I have someone I can talk to has helped a lot.”

Anna Waring affirms the value of FCE’s partnership with College Access Foundation of California. “Not only do their grants allow us to have a profound influence on young people’s lives,” she says, “but their networking activities help us keep abreast of best practices and improve our programs.”

For more information on Foundation For a College Education Scholarship and Support Services Program, click here.

For more information on College Access Foundation grants, visit our Grants page. To read more College Access Foundation grantee spotlights, visit our Spotlight Archive.