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 1-to-1 with scholars to develop an individual success plan. Success plans are 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 first-year-to-second-year retention rates when compared to Nebraska students. Nationally, only 11% of first-generation, low-income students graduate from college, but the 2016 cohort achieved an 85% graduation rate.
NCPA High School Scholars
Learn more about how NCPA’s proven model has positively impacted the lives of its scholars and their families.
Summer Institute
Learn more about how NCPA partners with 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 being 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 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
A big envelope arrived at Alyssia Casillas's home in Grand Island a decade ago, posing the question "Why are you here?" 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 a 3.56 GPA. Scholars are expected to earn a 3.25 and take honors and/or AP courses each semester.
- 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.
- Two NCPA seniors were selected as valedictorians and two others were honored as Gates Scholars (only 750 students out of 51,000+ applicants were selected).
- 100% of NCPA scholars pursue a degree at a university or community college (35 points higher than the Nebraska average). Nationally, 61.4% of high school graduates pursued a degree, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
College Scholars
- NCPA scholars' average cumulative GPA exceeds Nebraska's average. 83 scholars achieved a GPA of 3.5 or higher and 20 earned a 4.0 GPA.
- There are 150 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 first-generation income-eligible students and communities.
Learn how you can support NCPA and their mission to serve first-generation, low-income students who aim to graduate with a college degree.
If you would like to learn more about how you or your organization can help support NCPA's efforts, please contact:
Joanna Nordhues
Assistant Vice President
University of Nebraska Foundation
402-458-1178
joanna.nordhues@nufoundation.org