FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 21, 2008

Student-Founded National Organization Strive for College Announces New Partnership with San Jose State University, San Jose Mayor's Office, Local High School
National nonprofit, founded by college student from San Jose, to open chapter at San Jose State University, mentor local high school students

SAN JOSE, CA - Strive for College, a new national education nonprofit founded by a San Jose native and run by college students, today announced a partnership with San Jose State University and Eastside Union High School District in San Jose, supported by San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed's office.

Strive for College is an innovative college mentoring program that connects motivated, low-income high school students with undergraduate mentors who guide them through the college application process and to enrollment at four-year universities and colleges, providing them with opportunities and resources to break the cycle of poverty. For more information, please visit our website at www.striveforcollege.org.

Thanks to the new partnership, a new chapter will open at San Jose State University this fall. SJSU mentors will work with students at Independence High School, which has over 3500 students. Mayor Chuck Reed's office was instrumental in connecting Strive for College and SJSU with Eastside Union High School District.

"I am delighted that Strive for College has chosen to expand to San José," said San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed. "Strive for College works with students to prepare for college and increase their opportunities for higher education. I look forward to seeing San José school districts working in partnership with Strive for College to ensure that every student has every possible opportunity to succeed."

"As we strive to improve access to college for low-income students, I am so excited about the development of Strive for College as a creative, collaborative, engaging program that connects our SJSU students with aspiring high school students," said Eloise Stiglitz, San Jose State University Associate Vice President for Student Services. "Clearly, this is a win-win program that opens to door to college while allowing our SJSU students to give back to their community and learn a variety of skills at the same time. I am honored to be a member of their board and look forward to the expansion of the program here in San Jose as well as across the nation."

In two years, more than 90% of Spring 2008 graduating seniors from our first chapter have gone on to attend four-year colleges and universities. In 2006, just 1 of the 30 seniors graduating from Eskridge High School in Wellston, Missouri attended college. Two years later, after an aggressive effort by the Wellston School District and its partners,with help from Strive for College, 24 of the school's 27 seniors were accepted to colleges and universities, and more than half received financial aid and scholarships.

"I am very excited about this new partnership in my hometown of San Jose and humbled to be a part of this effort," said Founder Michael J. Carter. "San Jose has given so much to me, and I'm happy I can give a little back. I hope that Strive will help build bridges within the San Jose community and help Independence students master the college admissions and financial aid process. I'm also confident that Strive will help San Jose State students become educated leaders committed to serving others and creating opportunities for all who dare to dream and achieve."

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 21, 2008

Contact: Founding Vice President Christopher K. Sopher
(703) 801-8706
cksopher@striveforcollege.org
www.striveforcollege.org