|
College Now Rebrand: A Fresh Look, the Same Commitment
We’re excited to announce that College Now has a refreshed brand and a new website! Our updated look reflects the energy, optimism and forward momentum that drive our mission - helping students of all ages access, afford and complete higher education.
While our visual identity has evolved, our purpose remains the same: to empower individuals to achieve their educational goals and strengthen our region’s workforce through education and opportunity.
Explore our new website and check out our special video about the rebrand to see what inspired our new look and what it means for the future of College Now.
We can’t wait for you to experience this next chapter with us – rooted in the same mission, with a renewed vision for the future.
| | |
Mark your calendars for Dinks for Degrees, College Now’s pickleball fundraiser, on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 2–6 p.m. at Cleveland Premier Pickleball! Whether you’re a seasoned player or coming to cheer and connect, this event is a fun way to rally around education and celebrate the transformative work happening in our community. Proceeds directly support College Now’s mission to help students access, afford and succeed in higher education, opening doors to brighter futures.
The event will follow a pod play format, where players are grouped into small pods -— typically 4 to 6 people — and compete in a round-robin style, playing multiple matches within their pod. Everyone plays several games with no eliminations and earns individual points throughout the event. Participants can choose a competitive or noncompetitive bracket and enjoy friendly games with supportive coaching. Please note: this tournament will not be DUPR-rated.
Looking to make an even bigger impact? Become a Dinks for Degrees sponsor! Sponsorship goes beyond a single event - it’s an investment in the futures of our region’s students. Your support helps fund scholarships, mentoring and college access programs that empower thousands of students every year. To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, please email Colin Jackson.
| | |
Join us on Monday, Nov. 3, at 9 a.m. at College Now’s downtown offices for our next Mission Moments discussion, celebrating National First-Generation College Student Week. This student-centered panel will honor those who are the first in their families to attend college.
Hear directly from College Now-served students and recent graduates as they share their journeys, the resilience that drives their success and the mentorship that helps them persevere — highlighting College Now’s commitment to supporting students in accessing, persisting and succeeding in college.
Our first Mission Moment, held Sept. 8, launched this new engagement series designed to connect supporters more deeply with our mission. The event brought together a diverse group of entrepreneurs, educators and public advocacy professionals eager to find ways to engage through their time, talent and resources. The panel showcased inspiring voices from across College Now’s ecosystem. Read more about this inaugural event!
| |
President & CEO Dr. Michele Scott Taylor to moderate City Club discussion, Thursday, Nov. 13
Dr. Michele Scott Taylor will moderate a City Club of Cleveland discussion with Timothy Fields, senior associate dean of undergraduate admissions at Emory University and author of The Black Family’s Guide to College Admissions: A Conversation about Education, Parent and Race; and R.J. Nemer, president of The University of Akron.
Single tickets and tables are available for purchase online through Tuesday, Nov. 11. Doors open at 11:15 a.m., lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. and the forum begins at noon.
| | |
The 2026-2027 FAFSA is now open!
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now open, giving students and their parents or guardians access to federal loans, grants and work-study opportunities for college. College Now is hosting FAFSA completion workshops at our downtown office and throughout the community this fall to help families navigate the process. Our advisors will guide families step by step through the application, answer questions and ensure they’re set up to receive the financial aid they deserve.
Find an event near you!
| | |
Join our Alumni Collective
Were you a College Now scholarship recipient, mentee or program participant? We want to stay connected! The Alumni Collective is a new community for College Now alumni to network, share their stories and remain engaged with our organization.
Get involved by completing the interest form and join our LinkedIn group to start connecting with fellow alumni. Keep an eye out for upcoming events and opportunities to stay involved and give back.
| | |
Make a Difference. Become a Mentor!
Looking for a meaningful volunteer opportunity? Look no further! Make a difference by helping a College Now and/or Say Yes Cleveland scholarship recipient navigate through college with College Now’s Mentoring Program.
To become a mentor, all you need is a college degree, a commitment for the duration of the student's college journey (up to 5 years) and the ability to connect online, with in-person engagement opportunities.
| | |
Understanding Student Loans: How College Now Can Help
Navigating student loans can feel overwhelming and College Now is here to help. Earlier this month, Bailey Capelle, senior director of advising programs & services, joined Congresswoman Shontel Brown’s webinar to present on upcoming changes to student loans. Phil Wallace, director of adult programs, concluded the session by answering participants’ questions.
They covered important topics that affect borrowers, including the SAVE plan, Public Service Loan Forgiveness and other key updates designed to make repayment more manageable.
If you weren’t able to attend the webinar live, you can watch the recording using the password @pbeSx14.
College Now can guide current college students and graduates through student loans and repayment options — helping you move forward with confidence.
| | |
Habitat for Humanity CEO Build
Dr. Michele Scott Taylor spent a day earlier this month building a Pope Leo Village home with other Cleveland-area CEOs in Cleveland’s Buckeye-Woodhill neighborhood. More than 50 CEOs participated in the Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity CEO Build, and helped raise $100,000!
| | |
Cleveland Goes to College Fair
On Tuesday, Sept. 30, College Now and the Higher Education Compact of Greater Cleveland hosted our annual Cleveland Goes to College Fair at the Arnold Pinkney East Professional Center. The event gave Cleveland Metropolitan School District students the opportunity to explore colleges, degree programs and future pathways. We’re especially grateful to the nearly 90 colleges and universities that participated, sharing resources and guidance to support students as they take their next steps toward college.
View Photos
| | |
Daniel Diaz Nilsson serves as panelist for Engage! Cleveland's Develop, Engage, Inspire Conference
Daniel Diaz Nilsson, chief research & impact officer, recently served as a panelist for Engage! Cleveland's third annual Develop, Engage, Inspire Conference. This conference took a deep dive into the rules of "professionalism," its assumptions and how to create a more open, flexible cultures where everyone has the chance to belong — without leaving parts of themselves at the door.
| | |
College Now staff get their spelling on at the Literacy Cooperative Spelling Bee
Members of our team had an unBEElievable time competing at the Literacy Cooperative's 10th CLE-BEE! While we didn’t take home the grand prize this year, our bee team —Nicki Price, Alison Bibb-Carson and College Now mentor Delilah Capeles — and another team of colleagues - Bella Doyle, Gesmy Rivera and Kaniece Williams — were excited to support literacy and show that lifelong learning can be a lot of fun.
| | |
$5,000 Back-To-School Challenge Success
A special thanks to all who contributed to our $5,000 back-to-school challenge last month. Thanks to you, we exceeded our goal by 43%! Our community of donors –including mentors, alumni and supporters – understands the financial obstacles that students face in pursuing postsecondary education. Together, you rallied to contribute a remarkable $7,169 to support our mission for a total impact of $12,169 raised.
While the challenge match has concluded, your philanthropic contributions are always welcome and deeply appreciated. If you'd like to continue making a difference, we encourage you to donate today. Your support means the world to us!
| | |
Celebrating the Nord Family Foundation’s Continued Commitment to Lorain County Students
Over the last 35 years, the Nord Family Foundation has been a steadfast partner in expanding college and career opportunities for students across Lorain County. Since 1990, the Foundation has invested $1.2 million in College Now, including a recent $160,000 grant supporting our programs and services that equip Lorain County students with the guidance and resources they need to reach their postsecondary goals.
This special partnership continues to fuel meaningful progress. During a September site visit to Wellington High School, foundation program officer Jabari Dorsey — himself a former College Now Mentoring Program staff member — met with our advising team and students to see firsthand the impact of this work.
Students shared how College Now has helped them explore college and career pathways, complete financial aid applications, and plan for their futures. Highlights from the visit included good news: 100% FAFSA completion at Wellington High School and a growing college-going culture supported by our partnerships with Lorain County Community College, the Educational Service Center of Lorain County and the Lorain Business Advisory Council.
These successes are possible because of the Nord Family Foundation’s belief in the power of education to strengthen communities. The foundation’s continued investment allows College Now to serve more than 4,400 students and their families across Lorain County — helping them build brighter futures.
We are deeply grateful to the Nord Family Foundation for its long-term commitment to College Now and the students we serve. Together, we are building a stronger, more resilient Lorain County — one student at a time.
| | | | |
