Near peers are a powerful source of support as first-generation high school seniors explore their post-secondary options and prepare for their next steps.
CARA’s Bridge program addresses the gap in postsecondary guidance for first-generation college students, low-income students, and students of color by training current college students to provide individualized support for seniors throughout their senior year.
Each participating high school embeds a Bridge Coach – usually an alumni of their school who attends a local college – into their postsecondary office, under the supervision of their counselor. Bridge Coaches assist the counselor to:
Op-Ed: The Hechinger Report (2020)
Based on research with College Bridge Coaches, this article describes the importance and efficacy of using peer-to-peer advising to support postsecondary access and success.
Bridge Coaches develop a range of skills and content knowledge that they then use, alongside their unique near-to-peer perspective, to provide individualized support to graduating students. Trainings include the following topics:
Postsecondary Applications:
• List-Making
• CUNY System
• SUNY System
• Private Colleges
• Certificate Programs
• Workforce Training
Financial Aid:
• Financial Aid Applications
• Financial Aid Packages
• Opportunity Programs
Working with Students:
• Counseling Skills
• Leading Postsecondary Transition Workshops
• Supporting Undocumented Students
• Professionalism
Transition & Matriculation:
• Decision making
• Outreach and Engagement
• Caseload Management
• Data Tracking
Peer Leadership for College Access & Success Core Competencies
Peer Leadership for College Access & Success Career Capacities
CARA brings College Bridge supervisors together several times a year to support the implementation of the program at their individual schools. CARA also provides:
See College Bridge’s Program Rubric
See our Theory of Change Model
Recruit one Bridge Coach per 100 seniors from your pool of alumni
Pay Bridge Coach $19 per hour for school-based work and training time (10 hrs/week + 74 hours training = 474 hours total) + pay CARA training fee
Make time available during the school day for Bridge Coach to work with students
Meet weekly with Bridge Coach throughout the school year
Attend CARA Supervisor meetings
Communicate with CARA as needed to support programming
Supervise Bridge Coach at least five hours per week during the summer months
Provide space for College Coach to work and meet with students
Give College Coach access to student forms and information needed for college enrollment during summer
Track and report data to CARA
Participate in assessments as needed by CARA
Complete evaluations of College Coach
Boerum Hill School for International Studies
Crotona International High School
Frederick Douglass Academy III
Flushing International High School
High School for Construction Trades, Engineering and Architecture
High School for Teaching and the Professions
High School of Fashion Industries
International Community High School
International School of Liberal Arts (ISLA)
Institute for Health Professions at Cambria Height
Inwood Early College for Health and Information Technologies
Kingsbridge Heights Community Center
Kurt Hahn Expeditionary Learning School
Math, Engineering, and Science Academy (MESA) Charter High School
Metropolitan Expeditionary Learning School (MELS)
Pan American International High School at Monroe
Queens High School of Teaching
Repertory Company High School for Theatre Arts
The Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music
The Laboratory School of Finance and Technology
CARA’s Bridge program has partnered with Newark Board of Education (NBOE), Newark City of Learning Collaborative (NCLC), and Mentor Newark to train coaches and supervisors in all of Newark’s 17 high schools.
CARA partner schools can log in to access College Bridge curriculum and resources by clicking the button below.