College Access through Youth-Led Afterschool Programming

College access and success programs, which typically take place during out-of-school time, range widely in their size, target demographics, and services offered. Although concerted funding and energy have been dedicated to college access programs, the field suffers from a significant research and practice gap. Studies have demonstrated that college access initiatives increase college matriculation rates, but little is known about the mechanisms that drive their success; even less is known about the effectiveness of community-based college access programs, despite their prevalence. This paper shows how a student-led college access program implemented by a community-based nonprofit served as an effective mechanism for preparing first-generation students for college success.