Meet Today’s Students

Many of today’s students aren’t going straight from high school to college and studying full-time. They are returning adults, parents, providers, veterans, and the first in their families to go to college. They need a system that is flexible, affordable and responsive to their needs. But to serve today’s students well, we first need to hear their stories.

Alena Puaaili-Pelham – Why I Apprentice
Virginia
Alena, 19, is a youth apprentice at Newport News Shipbuilding’s Apprentice School (https://www.as.edu/). Find out why she likes being an apprentice.
Contributed by: Jobs for the Future (JFF)
Alex
Veterans talk with VES about their experiences after the military in higher education.
Contributed by: Veterans Education Success
Alexander
Texas
The declining purchasing power of the Pell Grant makes it hard for students like Alexander to cover all their education expenses.
Contributed by: National College Attainment Network
Austin Community College Student
Texas
Austin Community College (Austin, TX) is situated in a thriving art and tech economy. With the right degree or certificate, students can attain well-paying job…
Contributed by: Jobs for the Future (JFF)
Aya Waller-Bey – LEDA Scholar
Michigan
Georgetown University graduate and LEDA Scholar Aya Waller-Bey discusses her experience as a first-generation student and navigating the federal student aid ap…
Contributed by: Higher Learning Advocates (HLA)
Brenden – Why I Apprentice
Wisconsin
Brenden, 18, of Marathon, Wisconsin, is a youth apprentice at Elite Electrical Contractors. Find out why he likes being an apprentice. Brenden is the 1st Place…
Contributed by: Jobs for the Future (JFF)
Bri Sislo-Schutta
Minnesota
Bri, a sophomore at University of Minnesota Twin Cities, discusses how coronavirus pandemic is affecting today's students.
Contributed by: Today's Students Coalition
Cat Huang – Cornell University
New York
https://youtu.be/xc_E-8KhNxs Cat, a student at Cornell University, discusses how the coronavirus pandemic is causing stress for today's students, particul…
Contributed by: Today's Students Coalition
Cedric
Louisiana
When his state's financial aid funds ran out, Cedric had to go to extra lengths to cover his tuition. Let's fix the financial aid system to help more students …
Contributed by: National College Attainment Network
Chris
Louisiana
Chris knew that grocery store wages weren't going to be enough to support his young family. A program at Baton Rouge Community College, in conjunction with Exx…
Contributed by: National Skills Coalition
Christine Mompoint
Texas
Christine is a Young Invincibles Texas Advocate.
Contributed by: Young Invincibles
Drayton Jackson
Washington
Drayton is a student parent attending Olympic College. The coronavirus pandemic caused Drayton to have to push back his education goals so he could focus more …
Contributed by: Today's Students Coalition