Learn how Ednovate turns college dreams into reality from our Director of College & Alumni Support, Nathan Olmeda-Lopez. Nathan has been working with Ednovate since 2016, when he served as our network’s first-ever Alumni Counselor. He is passionate about supporting first-generation college students (like himself) in their pursuit of higher education.

At Ednovate, college is not a hope—it’s a plan.

Did you know that in California, only 33% of Latinx and Black students complete the coursework required for admission to a four-year university.

At Ednovate, that number is nearly 100%. Since our first graduating class in 2016, we’ve maintained a 99% A–G completion rate across our network.

This is not about luck or isolated success stories. It is the result of a high-quality, intentional approach designed to empower students and families through Positive Multigenerational Change.

Starting Early With Purpose and Innovation

College readiness programming at Ednovate is a deliberate journey that starts in ninth grade. Our College Knowledge workshops happen every semester and are tailored to each grade level. Students learn about GPA, leadership, purpose, and how their personal stories shape opportunity. They build real-world awareness about how to navigate complex admissions systems.

What makes this college readiness class innovative is not just the content but the intentional design behind it. Every component is scaffolded to grow with students as they move toward graduation.

At the same time, we work Better Together with families. We provide clear, grade-level checklists and host regular touchpoints, so families know how to support their children every step of the way.

***“We had no idea how to apply to college, and I don’t think I would have sent my kids to college on my own. There are no schools better than Ednovate to guide you."*** - Lubia, mother of 6, 3 college graduates, 2 in college, 1 attending USC Hybrid High

Ednovate’s mission is about more than access to college—it is about access to a future that students and families can own. And it works! 60% of Ednovate alumni earn a living wage vs. 45% of their peers.

Senior Year: Strategy, Fit, and Empowerment

By twelfth grade, students are equipped with the tools and confidence to make informed choices. Our dedicated college seminar course, led by expert college counselors, guides students through the college application process:

Researching schools
Exploring majors
Writing essays
Applying for financial aid

Support is personalized for each student. Every family sits down for a one-on-one meeting to compare financial aid packages, housing costs, and school fit. These sessions are designed to prevent students from making unaffordable commitments and to ensure that their choice aligns with their goals.

This is high-quality advising, built with care and driven by equity. The results: 66% of Ednovate alumni secure strong early-career jobs vs. only 43% of their peers.

Summer Melt Is Not Inevitable

Nationally, nearly one-third of students who plan to attend college never enroll. It is a heartbreaking gap known as summer melt. At Ednovate, we designed a system to change that.

Our alumni counselors begin their work the day after graduation. They check in, help students register for orientation, and troubleshoot last-minute hurdles. Because of this proactive, relationship-driven model, our summer melt rate stays in the single digits year after year.

“My alumni counselor texted me the night before I moved in. That kind of support made all the difference.”

This is what Better Together looks like in action—systems and people working hand in hand to ensure follow-through.

Persistence Through the First Year and Beyond

Once students start college, the work continues. Our alumni team monitors four key areas tied to success:

Academics
Finances
Mental health
Belonging

Using data and regular surveys, they identify students in need and act quickly—connecting them to on-campus support, helping with housing, or arranging a campus visit when a student just needs to see a familiar face.

This is Positive Multigenerational Change in action—not just access to college but persistence through it. In 2021, while the national persistence rate for low-income students hovered around 76%, Ednovate campuses reported rates as high as 84%.

We do not just send students off—we stay close, because thriving in college requires more than getting in. It requires ongoing innovation and investment in people so that our alumni don’t just graduate but thrive! 60% of Ednovate graduates report high well-being vs. 43% of their peers.

Decision Day: A Declaration of What’s Possible

One of the most powerful moments of the year at Ednovate is Decision Day. It is more than a celebration—it is a declaration.

In front of their peers, teachers, and families, seniors take the stage to announce where they are headed next. Some are nervous. Some are teary. All are proud. Each announcement is a symbol of what happens when a community comes together with clarity, quality, and purpose.

Decision Day embodies our mission. It affirms that when students are supported with high-quality systems, rooted in innovation, and backed by a community that believes in them, college is not the exception—it is the expectation. And every student who crosses that stage is stepping forward not just for themselves, but for the generations who will follow.

Learn more about Decision Day

What We’ve Learned and What You Can Apply

Ednovate’s college readiness program is not about chance or charisma. It is about systems that work, people who care, and a culture that believes in what is possible. Whether you are a school leader, policymaker, funder, or parent, here are some key takeaways:

Start early: Build awareness and belief from day one
Design for families: Equip caregivers with tools, not just encouragement
Prioritize fit: Personalized college counseling prevents costly mismatches
Support transitions: The handoff to college is just as important as the preparation
Celebrate outcomes: Public celebrations reinforce private effort and community values

When schools invest in high-quality systems, act with innovation, uplift communities because we’re Better Together, and stay rooted in Positive Multigenerational Change, students win—not just for a season, but for a lifetime.

To learn more about our college programming or to present at a career day, please click here. We’d love to have you as part of our student success team.

We don't dream of college. We expect it.