Investment in transforming lives for over a decade
The 10th anniversary of the Duke College Advising Corps (CAC) marks a decade of empowering students and transforming lives across North Carolina. College Advising Corps, a national nonprofit, was founded with the mission to increase college access for low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented high school students in rural areas. The local chapter run by Duke Community Affairs, has made extraordinary progress as showcased in the Duke College Advising Corps 2024 Impact Report.
Team advised thousands of students, helped families access $35 million in financial aid
The new report shows the impact of sustaining this program for more than ten years.
Impact at a Glance
22 High Schools Served: Since its inception, the program has expanded to reach 22 high schools across nine counties in North Carolina, including six schools in Durham County.
18,187 Seniors Personally Advised: CAC advisers have provided personalized support to more than 18,000 students through more than 55,525 meetings, including with almost 4,000 families.
53% Increased Likelihood of Enrolling in College: Students who met with their CAC adviser in a one-on-one meeting were 53% more likely to enroll in college compared to students at the same school who did not.
11,135 College Enrollments: In part due to Duke CAC supporting efforts, over 11,000 students from our partner schools have successfully enrolled in two- or four-year colleges. That’s a third of all seniors in these high schools.
$35 Million In Financial Aid: Through CAC adviser guidance, 2,912 students and their families have earned over $35 million in scholarships and financial aid, significantly reducing barriers to higher education.
Empowering students to alter their trajectories
Among the program’s many success stories is that of Mia Paz-Martinez, a first-generation college student from Sampson County. With the guidance of her CAC adviser, she secured a full scholarship to Stanford University, exemplifying the life-changing impact of mentorship and support.
Addressing Systematic and Workforce Challenges
Systemic barriers disproportionately affect students from low-income, first-generation, and rural backgrounds, creating gaps in educational attainment that hinder workforce readiness.
In addition, North Carolina faces significant challenges in building a skilled and educated workforce, with only one-third of ninth-grade public school students expected to graduate high school, enroll in college, and complete a degree or credential within six years. This is happening while two-thirds of jobs in the state require higher education, according to the myFutureNC 2022 State of Educational Attainment Report.
To address these challenges, the Duke CAC program’s holistic approach includes academic advising tailored to individual needs, comprehensive support for financial aid, empowering students to navigate post-secondary options, and helping students overcome systematic barriers.
Part of broader investment in economic mobility in NC
Duke College Advising Corps is part of a broad effort by the university to address systematic challenges to educational attainment and workforce readiness. In 2023, Duke announced a policy providing major tuition assistance for students attending from North and South Carolina. In addition, Duke University Health has partnered with Durham Tech to help expand access to health care careers. Learn more about the university’s college and career readiness programs, a key focus of its strategic community impact plan.
