Making College Possible for Everyone with Dr. Siva Kumari

Mike Palmer and Dr. Siva Kumari, CEO of College Possible, delve into the challenges of making college accessible and attainable for underserved students. We learn about Dr. Kumari's inspiring journey from defying societal norms in India to pursue higher education, to her roles at prestigious institutions like Rice University and the International Baccalaureate.

Together, they explore College Possible's innovative model, which pairs AmeriCorps members as near-peer mentors with high school and college students from low-income backgrounds. We gain insights into the organization's data-driven, people-oriented approach, fostering personal connections and providing crucial guidance through the complex college application and transition processes.

Key takeaways include:

1. The importance of unlocking "stranded brilliance" by expanding educational opportunities for underrepresented communities.
2. The power of near-peer mentoring in creating a sense of belonging and navigating unfamiliar academic and bureaucratic landscapes.
3. The exciting potential of AI and predictive analytics in streamlining routine tasks, freeing up human coaches to focus on personalized support.

Don't miss this thought-provoking conversation that sheds light on the barriers and pathways to social mobility through education.

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