Celebrating 2008/2009 Gateway to College Graduates  

Between Summer 2008 and June 2009, more than 200 students graduated from Gateway to College programs across the country. Since the program's inception and replication, over 500 students have graduated, earning both a high school diploma and significant college credits.   

Following is information on Gateway graduates between Summer 2008 and June 2009. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to these students and look forward to hearing about the great things they will achieve as they continue their education and pursue challenging careers!

Clackamas Community College -- 13 graduates  

Graduate in the spotlight: Chris
Chris was home-schooled his entire life until he enrolled in Clackamas' Tri-County Alternative Program (TCAP). Because he had never been in a classroom before, TCAP helped him learn the basic skills he needed to be a student. After spending a year at TCAP, Chris entered Gateway to College in 2006. He very quickly learned how to adapt to college and now is a confident, capable college student. He completed the Gateway program in Spring 2009, earning both his high school diploma and an Associate of General Studies. Chris will continue his studies in pursuit of a degree in Computer Science.   

College of The Albemarle -- 15 graduates

Graduate in the spotlight: Travis
With only one physical education class credit from high school, Travis came to the GtC program, worked hard for two years, studied even harder and graduated in Fall 2008 with his high school diploma and more than 30 hours of college credit. And he didn't stop there. Now enrolled at College of The Albemarle in the Associate in Arts program, Travis is taking a full course load, hoping one day to earn his master's degree in the social sciences. He was a recipient of the National Collegiate All American Scholar Award and Who's Who Among Students in Junior College.

Community College of Philadelphia -- 13 graduates  

Graduate in the spotlight: Alexandria
Alex was a member of Community College of Philadelphia's first GtC learning community which started in Fall 2006. Since then, she has earned 16 high school credits, 44 transferable college credits, and maintained a 3.48 GPA, all while holding a full-time job. She was Philadelphia's student representative at the 2007 Peer Learning Conference in Atlanta and was also secretary of the college's Creative Writing Club. Alex will complete the requirements for an Associate of Arts-Liberal Arts degree from CCP in Fall 2009, and then plans to transfer to Drexel University, LaSalle University, or the University of Pennsylvania to major in psychology.

Georgia Perimeter College -- 8 graduates 

Graduate in the spotlight: Minkah                        
Minkah began attending Gateway to College Academy at Georgia Perimeter College in May 2007. Having recently moved to Georgia, her out-of-state credits would not transfer equivalently, setting her back by one grade. In addition to feeling discouraged about being behind academically, Minkah applied to Gateway because her mom was very ill and Gateway's schedule would allow her to spend more time with her mom. In Spring 2009, she graduated from Gateway with her high school diploma and 31 college credits. Minkah will return to Georgia Perimeter this Fall to take classes as a Criminal Justice major and then hopes to transfer to Georgia State University.

Massasoit Community College -- 1 graduate

Graduate in the spotlight: Janeda

Janeda, with her son

After an unsuccessful year at Brockton High School, Janeda was accepted as a part of GtC at Massasoit Community College's first learning community in Fall 2007.  By the spring, she was pregnant, and even more determined to attain her high school diploma.  Her son was born in July 2008 and Janeda was right back on track for the start of classes that September.  In Spring 2009, Janeda became Massasoit's first graduate, finishing with a 3.0 cumulative GPA.

Monroe Community College -- 7 graduates   

Graduate in the spotlight: Jessica
Two years ago, Jessica was not motivated to finish high school. She was skipping classes and found herself dwelling on family issues rather than on homework assignments. Then she found Gateway to College. In Spring 2009, Jessica graduated from Gateway with a 3.79 GPA, and is on track to pursue a degree in Art Therapy. According to Jessica, she discovered Gateway at a time when she felt "too behind in life to get anywhere." Now, she says, her mind is directed toward the future.  

Montgomery College -- 27 graduates

Graduate in the spotlight: Sean
Sean missed quite a bit of school due to illness which made it difficult for him to graduate on time. When he started Gateway to College, he had 10 high school credits and a GPA of 1.36. Sean graduated from the program in June 2009 with his high school diploma and 32 college credits. He plans to enroll in a police cadet training program which will take 1-2 years to complete.

Mount Wachusett Community College -- 36 graduates

Joe graduated from Gateway to College in June 2009. He plans to continue his studies at Mount Wachusett Community College and then transfer to a 4-year school to major in journalism. His goal is to work in public relations. During his time in Gateway, Joe was recognized at the 3.0 GPA events for his academic efforts, in addition to having his artwork featured on the front cover of the college's literary magazine. Joe will represent Mount Wachusett at this year's Peer Learning Conference. 

Palo Alto College -- 12 graduates

Graduate in the spotlight: April
April joined Gateway to College in Fall 2007. She was previously enrolled in a private school, and had very few high school credits and significant issues with truancy. During the foundation semester, April continued to struggle with absences but learned very quickly how to develop positive relationships with her instructors. Her perseverance has proven to be her greatest asset, as she graduated from Gateway in Spring 2009 with her high school diploma and 63 college credits. April plans to continue her studies at Palo Alto until she completes her Associate's degree in Criminal Justice.

Portland Community College -- 30 to 35 expected graduates

Graduate in the spotlight: Shane
Shane entered Gateway to College with a 1.35 GPA and 11 high school credits. Since enrolling in the program, he has become more confident and motivated, and has found the increased support and direction he craved in high school. In June 2009, Shane graduated from Gateway with his high school diploma and 53 college credits. He was selected as the 2009 Gateway student speaker for Portland Community College's Student Celebration which honors students completing the college's alternative programs. Shane will continue taking classes at Portland Community College to earn his Associate's degree and then plans to transfer to the University of Oregon to study Political Science and History.   

Riverside City College -- 17 graduates

Graduate in the spotlight: Amber
Amber graduated from Gateway to College in Spring 2009, after spending two years in the program. In addition to earning her high school diploma, she also accrued 43 college credits and a 3.33 GPA. Amber plans to transfer to California Baptist University and major in Behavioral Sciences. In the future, she would like to work in Uganda.

San Antonio College -- 20 graduates   

Graduate in the spotlight: Jose

After spending almost two years in the Gateway to College program, Jose graduated in June 2009 with a 2.5 GPA and 22 college credits. Jose's future plans include designing and building his own line of bicycles and completing his Associate's in Engineering. Jose has been raising funds for Multiple Sclerosis and will participate in the Valero 2009 Alamo Ride to the River.

Jose (center) along with SAC staff and supporters

Savannah Technical College -- 1 expected graduate

Graduate in the spotlight: Thomas

Thomas enrolled in Gateway to College during Winter 2009.

He's expected to graduate from the program later this month and will be Savannah Tech's first GtC graduate! After taking additional classes at Savannah Tech, Thomas plans to move to upstate New York in the Fall, attend college and pursue a career in aviation.

Tri-County Technical College -- 10 graduates

Graduate in the spotlight: Brittany
Brittany was accepted into the program in 2006 after dropping out of high school in the 10^th grade. She says an advisor told her about Gateway to College and she applied, not really expecting much. "I never wanted to go to college. I had no career plan back then. But Gateway has drastically changed my life. From my first semester here, I loved it."  Brittany graduated from Gateway in Spring 2009 and hopes to work in the Gateway office as a tutor and return to Tri-County in the Fall to complete her Associate in Arts degree. Her goal is to transfer to Clemson University, earn bachelor's and master's degrees in education and return to Tri-County to teach for Gateway.