College Visions

College Visions provides low-income and first-generation college-bound youth in Rhode Island with the individualized advising and resources needed to enroll in college. With College Visions' guidance, students access the support and knowledge to make informed college choices.

You Change Lives!

"You guys rock and basically changed my life. Without College Visions I wouldn't be able to go to college and actually become somebody."

- Solanny, Textron Chambers '11, Brandeis '16

When you give to College Visions, you make an investment in students like Solanny. You ensure talented young people, regardless of socioeconomic status, have the opportunity to earn a college degree.

People like you make College Visions' vital work possible. Your gift will support 250 students to enter, succeed in, and graduate from college. Please act now make a secure, tax-deductible donation here:

Thank you for your support!

A New Perspective

Studying abroad offers a unique opportunity to gain a new perspective on the world; it's a chance for discovery and soul searching. We caught up with Kiera Gillock and Masha Paul, currently studying abroad at McDaniel College's campus in Budapest.

Continue reading A New Perspective.

Packed with Care

'Tis the season for college student care packages. With an assembly line stretching the length of the office, a team of volunteers packed care packages for almost 200 College Success Program students at colleges around the world.

A very special thanks goes out to Lori Reinhardt, Lori Oliveira, Mary Ellen Panzini, and Patricia Saracino from BankRI (who also donated pens for the packages). We'd also like to thank board member Delinda Johnson, Sue Ea (CV Parent '12), Michelle Ea (CV '12), Abel Hernandez (CV Alum '07), Delia Rodriguez, Joanne Rich, Hannah Rich, Kiviana Ventura, Adj Marshall, Mariel Acosta, and Joana Tejada for helping to pack the care packages. Thank you!

Dressed for Success

At our annual Interview Prep Day, College Access Program 12th graders participated in mock college interviews with volunteers that included CV alums, grad students, and local professionals. Dressed for success, the students received constructive feedback and polished their interview skills.

Currently in its third year running, Interview Prep Day hosted twenty students and twenty volunteers. It was a packed house at the CV office. We paired volunteers with students for a preliminary round of interviews and then gave the students a chance to reflect on their performance. Next the interviewers gave the students critical feedback to incorporate into a second round of interviews. While this event was very informative, students and volunteers also had a blast! Here's what they had to say about the event.

Continue reading Dressed for Success.

The Party of the Year

As deadlines rapidly approached, College Access Program 12th graders finalized applications with the help of staff and volunteers at our annual application parties. The office was packed with busy students hard at work on tackling their first major deadline: the University of Rhode Island's Talent Development program application. Every CAP student who intended to apply to URI met the December 15th Deadline.

Continue reading The Party of the Year.

CV on the Radio

Kirby Vasquez, Classical High School '10, Smith College '14

"Hey everybody! This is my second year participating in my college radio show, which is called WOZQ. My radio name is DJ Quez and my co-dj is DJ Roomba. Our show is from 8-10 pm on Sunday nights. We decided to host a radio show together because we had similar taste in music. During WOZQ, we mostly play indie-folk music and local artists as well. Our radio show is broadcasted locally, so our students listen in, as well as people living in Northampton, MA. What's really cool about playing local artists is that my co-dj and I get to go to some concerts for free in Northampton, as well as interview the artists for our show!

Overall, this experience has been a lot of fun. I get to hang out with my friend, and we play music that we love. This also gives us the opportunity to be involved with the Smith Community. As an organization, we host events and workshops to get people interested in our radio show. I also love being a part of the first all women's college radio show!"

Servio Gomes, Cranston East '09, CCRI '11, RIC '13

"The name of my radio show is Sounds of St. Elsewhere based on the Gnarls Barkley album. I chose to host the show because I wanted to have a place to share music with others and discuss important issues. The listener base fluctuates week to week depending on how much word I happen to put out on Facebook or Twitter. I often lead the show along with my co-host Erik who often provides comedic relief and general commentary. The music I play is rather eclectic, ranging from jazz and classic rock to hip-hop and independent niche-artists from around the world. Discussion on the show typically consists of world news and politics as well as technology and cultural topics. I also decided to make my show an official post for information regarding the Occupy movement as a way to raise awareness for the cause and to keep folks updated with its progression."

On the Road to Higher Ed

"I believed it was like any other college, but coming and actually getting a tour and experiencing things here has changed my perspective. I like the atmosphere, the way it looks, and how it is community based." - Beth reflecting on the Providence College Visit

College Visions is busy on the road again this fall with a van full of students visiting campuses across New England. Through the college visits College Access Program (CAP) students are able to step onto a campus and get an up close and personal glimpse of the college experience. Attendees participated in guided campus tours, information sessions with admissions officials, and had lunch with our College Success Program (CSP) students to get the real scoop on campus life.

Continue reading On the Road to Higher Ed.

CSP Spotlight on Angel Peña

I am a current junior at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine. This year, however, I have decided to embark on a study abroad program through the Associated Kyoto Program.

I arrived in Kyoto, Japan about three weeks ago after 18 hours of traveling. Desperate to explore and relax, we finally checked into the Kyoto tower hotel, which is one 20 famous towers in Japan, containing a 360 degree view of Kyoto at its peak. At the end of the weeklong orientation we got to climb the tower. I was in awe at the view--the background filled with puffy white clouds, the sky as blue as I have ever seen it, and green mountains enclosing the city. Binoculars were stationed around the tower with instructions on how to find particular landmarks from their view.

Continue reading CSP Spotlight on Angel Peña.

A Sad Day for Our Community

We are profoundly saddened by the unexpected, tragic passing of Kolajo Paul Afolabi.

Kolajo was a committed friend of College Visions and recently joined our Board of Directors. He was a caring, fun-loving friend to many and also deeply committed to promoting educational opportunity - especially for those affected by a system that presents so many barriers to success.

This is devastating loss for his friends, family, and the college access world. Kolajo was a talented scholar with a powerful, creative vision for promoting access and success in higher education. He was a force for progress, yet spoke with humility and compassion. Providence was lucky to have him.

Please take a moment to learn more about Kolajo's life and legacy here and here.

Details on his funeral services are available here.

We are deeply grateful to all who have made donations in Kolajo's honor. We appreciate your commitment to celebrating his life. Thank you!

His memory will live on at College Visions.

Rest in peace, Kolajo.

Ride to a New World

Getting through college no easy feat. Students have to deal with the high pressure of finals, dealing with tough professors, and often holding down a part-time job. But every year, CV students manage to not only take care of their responsibilities, they also have fun meeting new people, going to cool events, and exploring the world! Before we know it, our CV students grow into amazing adults and graduate from college. In the video below, Abel Hernandez, a graduating senior from RISD, shares his college story with us.