Blog
More Than A Summer of Teaching
Every summer, Teaching Fellows step into Breakthrough classrooms ready to teach, and they leave having learned just as much themselves. Across the country, this summer’s Teaching Fellows discovered new ways to lead, build relationships, adapt to challenges, and help...
Congressional Site Visits Showcase Breakthrough in Action
This summer, 15 Breakthrough sites across the network welcomed congressional offices to see our work in action and connect with students, Teaching Fellows, and affiliate leaders. These visits helped policymakers understand the impact of creating environments where...
A Summer of Connection & Growth
This summer, thousands of students and Teaching Fellows came together across 43 Breakthrough sites nationwide to learn, grow, and make lasting connections. We’re spotlighting two Minnesota affiliates — Breakthrough Twin Cities and Breakthrough Saint Paul — to share a...
Breakthrough Collaborative and University of Denver Launch New Partnership to Expand College Access and Success for First-Generation Students
Breakthrough Collaborative has launched a new partnership with the University of Denver focused on expanding pathways to college success for first-generation students across the Breakthrough network. Through the new Pathways Partnership Program, Breakthrough students...
Coming Full Circle: Sarah’s Breakthrough Story
Sarah never planned to attend Breakthrough San Juan Capistrano. Today, she is helping lead it. As College Access Program Manager, Sarah spends her days preparing students and Teaching Fellows for experiences that may change their lives–just like Breakthrough changed...
Breakthrough Awarded AmeriCorps State and National Grant
We are grateful to announce the approval of our AmeriCorps State and National grant for summer 2027, which will provide more than $1 million in support for Teaching Fellows across participating affiliates. This grant will serve seven affiliates–Greater Boston, Denver,...
Summer Melt is Real: Here’s How We’re Addressing It
You may be familiar with summer learning loss; the loss of academic skills during summer vacation. But have you heard of summer melt? Plainly, summer melt happens when students who’ve gotten accepted into college – and fully plan to enroll – never make it to campus in...
The Lasting Impact of Breakthrough: A Conversation with Chris and LaShawn Chatmon
Chris and LaShawn Chatmon both trace their leadership journeys back to Breakthrough, known then as Summerbridge. LaShawn participated in Summerbridge as a Teaching Fellow in the mid-90s while preparing for graduate school at Brown University and teaching roles at...
Carol’s Story: Carrying Breakthrough Forward
Carol hadn’t planned on spending the summer teaching. But when a friend told them about Breakthrough Collaborative, they saw it as an escape route from a university experience that wasn't working. During that first week of training in 2018, they showed up uncertain,...
The Future of Teaching Starts Today
On April 16, we hosted a conversation about one of the most pressing challenges in education today: building a stronger, more sustainable educator workforce. Moderated by Angie Wedlick, our Chief Program Officer, the conversation brought together four voices from...
Breakthrough Students Outpace National Postsecondary Trends
National college enrollment has leveled off, as conversations continue about the value of college. That uncertainty also exists alongside real structural barriers that shape many students’ paths, including cost, access, and a lack of sustained support. Against that...
From the Classroom to the Capitol: Breakthrough Central Texas’s Advocacy Fellowship
A dozen college students in business attire ducked under the scaffolding of the Texas State Capitol Building for the legislative session. They were energized. They had learned about state policies related to college access and success, practiced their communications...