2018-2019 College Track Annual Report CT_AnnualReport_2019 | Page 3

DEAR
FRIENDS,
Eight years ago, I made the move from Washington, D.C. to Denver,
Colorado to serve as College Track Aurora’s founding Site Director. In the
years that followed, College Track championed my professional growth,
leading to my promotion to CEO in 2014. Last May, my journey came
full circle when our first class of Aurora ninth-grade students walked the
stage at their college graduations.
Among them was Cyanna Whitney, who showed enormous potential
from day one, but lacked the belief in herself to achieve her dreams.
Today, she holds a bachelor’s degree from Metropolitan State University
and envisions a future where she is valued for the unique skills and
perspective she brings to her profession, not for the adversity she
has overcome.
Cyanna’s story is that of too many young people in
America, who do not see themselves represented in
our workforce, and therefore, do not believe they will
have a future of opportunity, choice, and power.
This year’s report focuses on the social-emotional skills that not only
correlate with college completion, but also empower students to
challenge the status quo and rewrite our nation’s narrative on
educational equity and social mobility.
We are also celebrating new beginnings: in January 2020, we will open
our second center in the D.C. Metro Area, and the following year we will
expand our impact with a third center in Los Angeles.
When our students make a 10-year commitment to College Track and
earn their bachelor’s degree, they inspire a broader movement to
democratize potential. Together, we give voice to this movement and to
the talent that will lead this country forward.
Elissa Salas
CEO, College Track
Annual Report 2018–2019
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