Stories
![Howard](/getattachment/720ab5c7-ff17-4568-b697-772c9ab05c86/Howard-Wolk-Story.png)
Supporter
Howard
“The more kids we have reaching their academic potential, feeling a stake in society, the better off we'll be as a country overall."
![Shirly](/getattachment/1f23a243-a3dc-48ed-8f47-85c4ec14ad5a/Shirly.jpeg)
Student
Shirly
"College is challenging me and pushing me to see things from a different perspective, and I am proud of how much I am growing."
![Alexandra](/getattachment/c0214613-eeb8-4a31-8749-fd12c766b042/Untitled-design-(16).png)
Student
Alexandra
My advisor helped me make sense of college costs. When I received my award letters, she broke down the numbers and information so I could visualize exactly how much each school would cost and make the best decision. I could not have done it alone."
![Destiny](/getattachment/a5f64e78-a526-47a4-a842-27aeb371afee/Destiny-Tirado.jpg)
Advisor
Destiny
"After being an advisor for almost three years, finding ways to connect and relate to each student is still my favorite part of the job."
![Khymani](/getattachment/839085a2-6ee5-425d-b12c-47028cda24f2/Khymani-James.jpg)
Student
Khymani
"uAspire has been extremely gracious, caring, and generous. I hope that many students in the future have the opportunity to have a uAspire advisor."
![Maham](/getattachment/235d7190-6dca-481e-8835-ebb60478afee/Maham-Rahman.jpg)
Student
Maham
Working with my uAspire advisor throughout the year made me feel more at peace. I could focus on the good things college offers and not stress about tuition.
![May](/getattachment/1e684359-5c2b-42c3-ba82-7d024df215da/May-Bumar.png)
Supporter
May
"The pathway to a college degree is rarely straight, and it’s amazing what students can do when they have a supportive advisor by their side focused on their success throughout their journey."
![DJuan](/getattachment/5a08fc03-d556-4f57-8d22-92e39463e8e8/Djuan.png)
Student
DJuan
"College has taught me that you can't let your past keep you from finding your future pathway."
![Michelle](/getattachment/8a64537d-295e-4ff6-a08b-da47a6ed7535/Michelle-(1).png)
Student
Michelle
"uAspire is important in communities like mine in Oakland where a lot of kids don't know where to start. Advisors give students the tools to reach opportunities that they couldn't imagine reaching alone."
![Moses](/getattachment/4468f211-d211-45c1-986e-bd63237f9894/Moses.png)
Advisor
Moses
"It's cool to watch students overcome their doubts and obstacles to thrive in college. This is why we're here – to guide and support students on their unique journeys toward success."
![Jingyi](/getattachment/0fa2814c-bbb3-4421-b31e-440511c5d196/Jingyi.png)
Student
Jingyi
"Working with my advisor gives me relief to know somebody is helping me and that I have someone to go to with questions."
![Jean](/getattachment/414446c4-7111-488a-a753-4ad2c7305b0f/Jean.png)
Student
Jean
"We completed the entire FAFSA in one session. It was so helpful and took a huge weight off my shoulders. After that first session, I messaged Alayna every time I had a question."
![Lani](/getattachment/917d8d03-6323-41b6-8172-ec1575e51665/Lani.png)
Student
Lani
"Having people dedicated to your success is very comforting, to know that someone's out there listening to your concerns and ready to help."
![Jameiley](/getattachment/94c4276b-fe9e-4b01-9051-7a870c7e0d90/Jameiley.png)
Advisor
Jameiley
"Providing students with real solutions that eliminate the barriers that keep them from moving forward is one of the biggest perks of working for uAspire."
![Nahed](/getattachment/38d1c52f-16c3-4d95-82e4-043ae104a2d7/Nahed.jpg)
Student
Nahed
"Working with my uAspire advisor made me more motivated. I was put in a position where I wouldn't succeed and my advisors helped me change that."
![Gleidson](/getattachment/5719da32-2c10-4a5e-9be9-ef69ef735b3b/Gleidson.jpg)
Student
Gleidson
"Now I'm able to pursue my dream. As I prepare to take this next step, it’s a comfort having uAspire there to help me along the way and keep me on track."
![Zamira](/getattachment/8ef3e47a-ef60-410d-9058-f71f241eddde/Zamire-500-x-350.jpg)
Student
Zamira
"Being a first-generation student is a lot of pressure, but I look forward to having a louder voice in the world. My goal is to have degrees so I'll be able to speak and people will listen and take me seriously."
![Edward](/getattachment/b968f309-f922-481b-897b-a96b48fe342f/Edward-500-x-350.jpg)
Student
Edward
"It is a great resource and a lot of help because it is super convenient—the advisors just send me text messages on my phone."
![Sarah](/getattachment/2c5d3a0b-e41b-42fc-9e13-73bda85df2e3/Sarah.png)
Student
Sarah
"I feel prepared and confident about continuing school because I know I have help. Being able to pursue my education means so much to me."
![Eston](/getattachment/4bddf64d-eb5c-45b0-9e38-7ea450e1c4d2/Eston.png)
Advisor
Eston
"College affordability has become a passion of mine, and every day, I feel so fulfilled in my role as an advisor. I see students face many challenges, and the financial aid systems are not easy to navigate."
![Jonathan](/getattachment/395ffaf2-157c-42c6-a2dc-da9acadecb52/Jonathan-(1).jpg)
Supporter
Jonathan
"My philanthropic efforts aim to bridge the social gap in education, and uAspire provides the platform and support needed to make a real impact."
![Dakota](/getattachment/3744a12e-852b-4476-a4f0-f9c2b570b78b/Dakota.jpg)
Student
Dakota
"It's not just about paying for college. It's trying to help my mom or buying books, transportation, and it all adds up."
![Simone](/getattachment/a31a88da-cfa4-4725-ab36-40f168a946bf/Simone.jpg)
Supporter
Simone
"Being a first-gen graduate signifies progress for me and my family.".
![Carmella](/getattachment/c4aa43c6-8054-49d5-a184-e8bbe8c3ad29/Carmella.jpg)
Advisor
Carmella
"When I went through the financial aid process as a student I think a major thing that I learned is that it just wasn't built for people like me."
![Melvin](/getattachment/a09d6269-bce0-4700-9233-c1d618e9094e/Melvin.jpg)
Student
Melvin
"I’m glad to take my experience as a first-gen college student and apply it to other students who need help today."
![April](/getattachment/4217f5e5-ff26-48ad-a3c1-011a1068e8ac/April.jpg)
Student
April
"Students need to have these conversations with someone who can give them the knowledge and tools to succeed. These are difficult decisions. It's a lot of money and time on the line."
![Melissa](/getattachment/bc55dd6e-694c-4ae2-b24a-3e09ac54b3ae/Melissa.jpg)
Advisor
Melissa
"Students were afraid that they could no longer afford college because their parents, and in many cases, the students themselves lost their jobs."
![Jay](/getattachment/a6ae5fdd-79c3-4ca6-9167-c6336a9f3755/jAY.jpg)
Student
Jay
"There are countless students experiencing similar challenges. The paths may be different, but the toilsome process is the same."
![Victoria](/getattachment/ddd2141b-1889-4820-ad64-1f5f92aa053f/Copy-of-teazers-for-press-on-site-(903-%c3%97-678-px)-(3).jpg)
Advisor
Victoria
"It was important to meet students where they were at and trying to see, “Hey, is your mental health okay? How are you adjusting to everything that’s happening?”
![Myiesha](/getattachment/131cf4f2-ab0c-4e09-a384-84517707f733/MYIESHA-(1).jpg)
Student
Myiesha
"I wanted to go to college because I want to create financial stability for myself and my family. But, my experience with the college application process was very tedious."
![Redjan](/getattachment/ca01c8ee-bd5b-44ea-aa6b-f30edcbe07e6/Redjan.png)
Advisor
Redjan
"We had to be proactive, compiling information about the CARES Act and emergency funding, and disseminating it to students ASAP."
![Jeannie & Jonathan Lavine](/getattachment/d424b7d5-5c82-4f52-9224-b4ca55986c37/Jeannie-Jonathan.jpg)
Supporter
Jeannie & Jonathan Lavine
"We know that intellect is not distributed based on income, and neither should education."
![Kamaiya](/getattachment/505860b3-f0b9-45b2-ac36-db2e1ed82c63/Kamaiya.jpg)
Student
Kamaiya
"Even if I didn’t see Jasmine one week while she was at my school, she would still text me to make sure I got the forms I was waiting for, make sure I submitted them, and that everything was going ok."
![Dario](/getattachment/58596001-a684-47b8-a562-05493e552fa7/Dario.jpg)
Student
Dario
"After moving to the United States my parents quickly realized that a college degree was necessary for young people to unlock economic opportunity. It was decided that college would be the goal for my siblings and me.
![Melina](/getattachment/382b5c2b-3782-4d06-a648-429bc89838bb/Melina.jpg)
Advisor
Melina
"Institutions were chaotic so we couldn’t rely on them for guidance. It was a very, very confusing time for students, for everyone really."
![Tannah](/getattachment/a0856b49-84b6-4170-b256-6bcfa33ee57f/Tannah.jpg)
Student
Tannah
"Even as I was transferring to different schools, uAspire was still there reaching out with scholarship opportunities and asking, 'Hey, do you need financial help?'"
![Jasmine](/getattachment/fe6062a8-5b5e-4f49-a02d-9edb83c3d7cb/Jasmine.jpg)
Advisor
Jasmine
"My job is to give students the resources they need to make a financially sound college choice, and to inspire them to reach higher and advocate for themselves."
![Melissa](/getattachment/ace1eaa2-2801-4d55-a991-ffd3a4721ae0/Melissa.jpg)
Advisor
Melissa
"Being a first-generation college student has helped me understand the challenges faced by the young people I advise."
![Toiell](/getattachment/ddf8192c-382e-4613-82ca-5a7aab3b3bbd/Toiell.jpg)
Student
Toiell
"College is expensive. People have this idea that financial aid is going to cover everything, and it’s not."
![Breanna](/getattachment/a8ae3dba-2157-4f78-a14e-faf0f0ee2184/Bresnna-(1).jpg)
Advisor
Breanna
"All students need to feel that they have someone who is behind them and committed to their success."
![Juan](/getattachment/10bbed3d-f992-4d72-bb74-172daf09a101/juan.jpg)
Student
Juan
"The college process caught me off guard, but I have uAspire and my college counselor."
![Yue](/getattachment/fd803409-b228-4e19-b1eb-2b88abfa8bba/yue.jpg)
Advisor
Yue
"It is so meaningful to me to advise students at my alma mater. I get to give back to the school that gave me so much."
![Geraldine](/getattachment/3248c113-6b64-4d98-8bd9-6bb6fd24eb07/Geraldine.jpg)
Student
Geraldine
"I had to be responsible for figuring out how to finance my education. My advisor gave me the information and resources to do that."
![Dejah](/getattachment/651d42b3-ed90-4a64-bfb6-b6cc1a5f1828/Dejah.jpg)
Student
Dejah
"I’m helping others because I went to school and learned something that I’m passionate about."
![Richard](/getattachment/c7e9a878-8b2f-4454-bcc0-9164c94f8fba/Richard.jpg)
Advisor
Richard
"I strive to be a steady presence for my students—pushing them when they need to be pushed, encouraging them when they need encouragement."