Cornell’s COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS INITIATIVE
BACKGROUND
Launched in the fall of 2018, Cornell’s College and Career Readiness Initiative is an undergraduate and graduate led organization that utilizes mentorship to assist first generation low income (FGLI) and/or Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC) high school students from across America with the college, financial aid, and scholarship application process.
MISSION
CCRI fosters strong relationships between first-generation, low-income (FGLI) and Black Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) high school students and FGLI, BIPOC Cornell student mentors to address challenges experienced by FGLI students.
FGLI students face many obstacles when they pursue higher education or enter the workforce compared to their peers with college-educated parents, including challenges related to college and career readiness. Compared to students whose parents attended college, FGLI are less likely to pursue college degrees, use health, academic advising and academic support services, and complete their degree requirements. These challenges impact long term outcomes for FGLI students, including educational success, economic attainment, health, and social mobility.
CCRI acknowledges these challenges and provides opportunities to support FGLI students to realize their academic and professional goals and build relationships with college students who have had similar experiences as FGLI BIPOC students.
About Us
CCRI is led by a team of undergraduate and graduate student mentors, with help from advisors from Cornell’s Master of Public Health Program!