The College Crusade of Rhode Island Presents at College Board Conference

Shared program impact and best practices at Regional Academic Symposium on Advancing College Readiness on April 25

Providence, R.I., April 28, 2008 – The College Crusade of Rhode Island was a presenter last week at the College Board’s Regional Academic Symposium on Advancing College Readiness. The symposium, sponsored by the College Board’s New England Academic Division Advisory Committee, was held on April 25, 2008, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Worcester, Mass.

The purpose of the College Board symposium was to identify solutions for improving college readiness for all students and to share best practices and models of collaboration. Participants included educators, policymakers, and other stakeholders from schools, school districts, colleges, and university systems across New England.

The College Crusade spoke on “The Role Community Organizations Can Play in Increasing College Access and Readiness.” Presenters were Mary Sylvia Harrison, president and CEO of The College Crusade, and Reuben Tillman III, College Crusade Advisor at the Providence Academy of International Studies and at Cooley Health, Science & Technology High School.

Ms. Harrison and Mr. Tillman described how The College Crusade combines caring adult mentors with innovative college-readiness programming to help Rhode Island students overcome economic and educational disadvantages. They also discussed the distinctive characteristics of The College Crusade Advisory model, delivered in partnership with 32 urban middle schools and high schools in Central Falls, Pawtucket, Providence, and Woonsocket.

“Through our Advisory system, we establish long-term mentoring relationships with students, starting in middle school,” said Ms. Harrison. “This personalized approach is at the core of all our college-readiness programs. All the way to high school graduation, College Crusade Advisors offer students support and encouragement and serve as role models and advocates. They deliver the message that every student can be successful.”

About The College Board
The College Board, headquartered in New York City, is a not-for-profit membership association whose mission is to connect students to college success and opportunity. Founded in 1900, the association is composed of more than 5,400 schools, colleges, universities, and other educational organizations. Each year, the College Board serves seven million students and their parents, 23,000 high schools, and 3,500 colleges through major programs and services in college admissions, guidance, assessment, financial aid, enrollment, and teaching and learning. Among its best-known programs are the SAT®, the PSAT/NMSQT®, and the Advanced Placement Program® (AP®). The College Board is committed to the principles of excellence and equity, and that commitment is embodied in all of its programs, services, activities, and concerns.

About The College Crusade of Rhode Island
The College Crusade of Rhode Island is the state’s most comprehensive college-readiness and scholarship program for middle school and high school students in low-income urban school districts. It serves over 4,000 students per year and rewards the efforts and achievements of financially eligible students with up to four years of college scholarships. From grade 6 through grade 12, Crusaders experience the steady, nurturing presence of caring adults and participate in activities that focus on academic enrichment, social and personal development, career awareness and exploration, and readiness for college. Since 2001, The College Crusade has awarded over $18 million in college scholarships to more than 2,500 graduates from Rhode Island high schools.

The College Crusade is a nonprofit organization funded by a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s GEAR UP program, by the State of Rhode Island, and by private corporations, foundations, and individuals. For more information, please visit www.thecollegecrusade.org.