Higher Edge Celebrates 5 Years of Getting Low-Income Students To, Through College

Celebrating five years as the emerging leader of college access in the state of Connecticut, Higher Edge announces its 5-year Anniversary Celebration taking place on Saturday, November 19th. The event will showcase a uniquely designed timeline exhibit, chronicling the organization’s growth.

Additionally, Higher Edge will honor Dr. Walter Diaz – Dean of Students at Eastern Connecticut State University – with the College Access Champion Award.

The celebration begins at 7pm and will be held at Connecticut College in the Crozier-Williams Student Center. Speaking remarks begin at 8pm.

“The work that Higher Edge is performing in our state is life-changing. They are proving the power of one-on-one coaching as a means to helping students achieve their dream of a college education,” noted Dr. Elsa Nuñéz, President of Eastern CT State University.

Founded in 2011, Higher Edge stands alone as the only organization of its kind in Eastern Connecticut, helping low-income and first-generation students enroll, succeed, and graduate from college. Higher Edge operates offices in New London and Willimantic and now serves 170 students in high school and college. Their proven model yields 95% college enrollment and 85% second-year persistence, well ahead of state/national statistics for low-income students.

The exhibit offers a “year-in-the-life” look at Higher Edge’s students, programs, and organizational growth. It is designed by Livenette Negron, a former Higher Edge student and a recent college graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology.
The evening will also include food, basket giveaways, silent auction items, and dancing.

Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at Muddy Waters Café or online at www.higheredgect.org. They will also be available at the door.