Outcomes
NCPA addresses fundamental inequalities in the education system by preparing first-generation students to achieve personal and academic success.
HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLAR SUCCESS STORIES
Preparing for college often requires more than academic and social readiness and financial resources. Many factors, both in and out of the classroom, can have a stressful and adverse effect on scholars. NCPA supports students through individualized development plans including academic and social counseling, leadership building and personal wellness to help each student achieve personal and academic excellence.
NCPA is uniquely positioned within the university system, allowing program staff to leverage their understanding of higher education to prepare scholars to flourish and thrive within university structures. By providing access to education and support for success, NCPA’s proven model has changed the lives of its participants. With several years of growth, improvements and accomplishments, NCPA is poised to positively influence the national education landscape.
To ensure the success of each scholar, NCPA staff work one-on-one with scholars to develop an individual success plan. Each success plan is customized for each scholar and may include meetings, tutoring and workshops. The Trenchard Foundation Institute of Excellence, NCPA’s college success program, promotes student achievement with multiple layers of support and intervention. Our efforts are working, with NCPA college scholars averaging higher freshman-to-sophomore retention rates when compared to Nebraska students and the 2016 cohort achieved an 85% graduation rate. Nationally, only 11% of first-generation, low-income students graduate from college.
Annual Report
Each summer NCPA publishes a summary of our year. This annual report includes a letter from the director, student success stories, award recipients from the year and updates on NCPA alumni.
NCPA HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARS
Learn more about how NCPA’s proven model has positively impacted the lives of its scholars and their families.
PEER LEADER
Abigail Javier
Where I most feared problems and conflict, I learned to manage it and trust myself that with Harmony, Restorative, and Context I could solve problems thrown my way.
LOOKING AHEAD
Akangkha Khan
Being prepared to succeed in college as well as having a scholarship to pay for tuition are huge benefits that NCPA scholars and their parents greatly appreciate. Yet families find the program also provides unexpected but equally important benefits that boost the success of the scholars.
BUILDING CONFIDENCE
Alex George
My favorite part of NCPA is how supportive the NCPA scholars and staff are. NCPA has opened many doors for me and made me more confident.
INSPIRED TO EDUCATE
Allison Wood
While some who struggle in science tend to avoid the subject, Allison Wood plans to teach it someday. Allison credits NCPA for helping her try things she struggles in.
YOU GET WHAT YOU PUT INTO IT
Candy Diaz
“For school, I have always believed that you will only get what you put into it.” Candy credits the skills he’s developed in NCPA and NCPA staff for helping him deal with the stress of high school activities and preparing for college. He’s confident he will carry those skills with him when he begins classes as a business major at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
LOOKING AHEAD
Cindi Izaguirre-Perez
Before she heard about NCPA, she had never considered pursing a college education and actually didn’t know what college was. In middle school, she said her goal was to work at a meatpacking plant and help her family. Now, she’s majoring in Global Studies and Ethnic Studies with minors in French, Spanish, Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs.
KNOWLEDGE, CHARACTER, AND COMMITMENT
Ellie Mora
My childhood taught me to be independent, brave and a leader. Most importantly, it taught me never to let the world push me down. NCPA is the reason I am ambitious and the reason I can go to college.
BRINGING OUT THE BEST
Jaime Bautista
When 2015 Grand Island Senior High School graduate Jaime Bautista reflects on his experience with the Nebraska College Preparatory Academy, one thing is for sure: it changed his life.
A BETTER FUTURE
Jairo Gamboa
When Jairo Gamboa moved to this country from Bogota, Colombia, with his family at age 6, it was rough. He didn’t speak the language, so he was put into remedial English learning classes and lower academic levels than his peers. But he wanted to learn the same things as his friends.
FINDING SUPPORT SYSTEM
Karla Hernandez Granillo
Both of my parents are from Hidalgo, Mexico. My number one goal is always to make my family proud, which is something I have stuck to these past few years.
MAKING CONNECTIONS
Logan Hudnall
When Logan Hudnall was in third grade, he remembers doing a fun experiment with batteries and wires. That experience started his interest in robotics and engineering,
CONNECTING AND FINDING A SECOND FAMILY
Patrick Wright
This school year taught me how to adapt to change and how quickly things can happen and change. It also taught me how important it is to have connections with different people.
FINDING A SUPPORT SYSTEM
Samuel Aguilera-Robledo
Going to college is part of Samuel’s plan for his life, but college didn’t always seem attainable.
TOTAL MOTIVATION
Sam Farmer
Sam Farmer may come from a small town but he has big thoughts and big dreams— and the senior at Winnebago High School is well on his way to achieving them
GOING FURTHER
Vanessa Mosqueda
NCPA scholars fulfill many academic and social requirements for the program. However, NCPA doesn’t just have an effect on the scholars—the benefits of what the scholars are experiencing and learning reach their families, too.
Summer Institute
Learn more about how NCPA partners with NCPA scholars and families to make the transition to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
ALUMS / COLLEGE SCHOLARS
Learn more about how NCPA’s proven model has positively impacted the lives of its scholars and their families.
CREATING THE CHANGE
Myrianna Bakou
Omaha North, Class of 2018
Self-described as always being really driven, Bakou arrived in Nebraska from West Africa at age 8 and has worked hard to make her parents’ sacrifices worthwhile. Now with more than two years of research experience, a degree in psychology, several internships and campus leadership roles filling her resume—she’s applying to several graduate schools.
THE COLLEGE EXPERIENCE
Maya Evans
UNL, Class of 2017
Through NCPA, Maya Evans said she learned how to try new things and get involved. Her father Rodney agrees. “NCPA has had a positive effect on my child by allowing her to fulfill her dreams of going to college and having a support system that not only supports but pushes and challenges the students.”
WHY ARE YOU HERE
Alyssia Casillas
UNL, Class of 2015, UNMC's Dental Hygiene Program
Alyssia was a girl with intelligence and drive. But Alyssia’s lack of confidence had led her to make some bad choices. Until a big, handsome envelope arrived at Alyssia Casillas’ home in Grand Island a decade ago. In May 2015, Alyssia graduated with a sociology degree from Nebraska and went on to graduate from UNMC’s dental hygiene program.
Student Success
High School Scholars
- NCPA scholars average ACT score (n=22.5) exceeds the national average (n=20.7) by almost two points.
- NCPA's high school retention has increased for seven consecutive years, even after the program has increased its standards and implemented a rigorous selection process.
- 100% of NCPA scholars pursue a degree at a university or community college. Nationally, 69.1% of high school graduates pursued a degree, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
College Scholars
- NCPA scholars' average cumulative GPA exceeds the UNL's average.
- There are 132 college graduates in NCPA’s Alumni Network to date.
- 9 NCPA scholars have earned the nationally competitive Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship award to study abroad.
- Top industries for NCPA scholars: Education, Engineering, Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Sales, and Education.
Support NCPA
NCPA’s donor base shares a common commitment to serving historically underserved students and communities through education.
Learn how you can support NCPA and their mission to support first-generation, low-income students graduate with a college degree.
Support NCPAIF YOU WOULD LIKE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW YOU OR YOUR ORGANIZATION CAN HELP SUPPORT NCPA's EFFORTS, PLEASE CONTACT:
Steve Hill
Senior Director of Gift Planning
University of Nebraska Foundation
402-458-1186
stephen.hill@nufoundation.org
Contact Us
Moises Padilla
Director of the Nebraska College Preparatory Academy
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
402-472-2752
ncpa@unl.edu