Students Rising Above

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San Francisco, CA
Students Rising Above

Empowers students facing systemic barriers to define and find success via education, career, & life. Learn more at www.studentsrisingabove.org

SRA provides one-on-one mentoring and advising, financial support, access to health insurance and medical and dental care, academic guidance, and a comprehensive college prep curriculum that helps students determine which schools to apply to, how to file for financial aid and scholarships, and how to transition to the social and academic rigors of college life. 90% of our students graduate from

college which is nearly 3 times the national average for low-income, first gen students. SRA also provides students with summer internships so that they can gain hands-on professional work experience in their field of interest. Students are connected to the SRA community network of individuals and employers who are able to help our students advance their professional goals. Our students represent the rich cultural diversity of the Bay Area and they are breaking the cycle of poverty as the next generation of employees and leaders who are accelerating positive change in our communities.

05/29/2026

Congratulations, Briani McCoy! 🎉

This fall, Briani is heading to UC Riverside to study Sociology with a minor in English Literature. We are so proud of her and everything she pushed through to get here.

In her own words:

“Hello SRA fam, my name is Briani McCoy and I will be attending UC Riverside in the fall!! At Riverside I am excited to be studying sociology, with a minor in English literature! I’m looking forward to exploring my independence, and foster valuable relationships. Throughout my journey in SRA during my senior year, I was offered a lot of help and learning opportunities. This provided me with comfort, security, and motivation to work towards my goals. It also helped with accomplishing the many hardships associated with senior year. I want to thank my twin sister who has been my strength, and happiness throughout this time. And I’d also like to thank Vanessa Pepoon for her patience and kindness. Good luck everyone!”

Affluent families paying up to $20,000 for private college counseling. Briani received that same level of support, at no cost to her family. That is what your donation to our Dreams to Degrees campaign makes possible. Link in bio to give today.

05/27/2026

Help us congratulate Jimena Ortiz Ortega, who is heading to the University of San Francisco this fall to major in Politics!

Here is what Jimena had to say:

"I'm excited for new experiences, new friends, and figuring out who I'm becoming. SRA has been a big help through this whole process, answering every random question I threw at them and keeping me on track when things got confusing. As a first-gen Latina, I want to thank my parents for every sacrifice and all the love that brought me here, my sister for being my constant support, and my whole family for lifting me up with so much pride. Thank you to my teachers for guiding me and to SRA for always being there when I needed support."

The college process is complicated, and no parent should be expected to have all the answers. That is where SRA comes in. Your gift to our Dreams to Degrees campaign means first-gen families always have somewhere to turn.

Support more students like Jimena. Link in bio to donate!

05/26/2026

Congratulations, Camila Lucas! 🎉

This fall, Camila is heading to UC Berkeley on a full ride to major in English, with her sights set on law school. We are so proud of her and everything she has accomplished to get here.

In her own words:

“I will be attending UC Berkeley with a full ride. I will major in English so later on I can go to law school. I am looking forward to meeting my roommate and making friends! SRA has supported me a LOT by helping me edit my PIQs and basically throughout the whole application process. They really helped me because at first I had no idea what I was doing. I would like to thank my family for always believing in me and supporting me.”

Private college essay coaches charge $150-$300 per hour. Camila had no idea where to start. SRA was there every step of the way, at no cost to her family.

That is what your donation makes possible. Link in bio to support our Dreams to Degrees campaign.

05/21/2026

Congratulations, Susie Gonzalez! 🎉

This fall, Susie is heading to UC Davis to major in Economics. We are so proud of her and the hard work she put in to get here.

In her own words:

“I’m really looking forward to creating new connections while pursuing higher education in an environment that feels peaceful, welcoming, and full of opportunity. I’m excited to finally start a new chapter and grow into the person I want to become. SRA helped me stay focused and organized, especially during moments when the college process felt overwhelming. I would like to thank Ms. Nathalia and Mr. Marco for listening to my rants and reviewing my PIQs anytime I asked. I also want to thank Brooke Millan for helping draft my PIQs and answering any questions I had. Lastly, I want to thank K-G for always writing my letters of recommendation and providing a safe environment for all of his students.”

When the process felt overwhelming, Susie had someone to call. Your support helps keep our advisor-to-student ratios low, so every student gets that same attention.

Link in bio to donate to our Dreams to Degrees campaign!

05/14/2026

“I’ll be attending UC Berkeley in the fall majoring in Business Administration. I’m mostly looking forward to joining business related clubs like LBSA (Latino Business Student Association) and partaking in community based groups like Raices! SRA supported me a lot during the college application process. Shoutout to my advisor Vanessa who went through my essays every day making sure I felt supported in the writing process and after.”

Ensure more first-generation students like Fatima get the advisors and support to thrive - donate to our Dreams to Degrees campaign! LINK IN BIO.

05/12/2026

Hector Alfaro Miranda is preparing to head to the East Coast! This fall, Hector begins his first year at University of Pennsylvania where he’ll study Political Science and looks forward to exploring a new state and meeting new people.

“When I was admitted to UPenn and had financial troubles to attend their Admitted Student Day, SRA helped my family and me, and I got to see the campus in all its beauty. It was also my first time on the East Coast, and it was just amazing. SRA also supported me by giving me the resources and tools in order to succeed in my senior year of high school and prepare me for college. It’s given me a community of like-minded people who I can always go to for support and help. It’s given me friends, experience, and also my first college dorm experience at San Jose State which I loved.”

Support first-generation students like Hector today - donate to our Dreams to Degrees campaign! LINK IN BIO.

05/07/2026

This fall semester 2026, Rosa Gonzalez Leon will be starting their undergraduate college chapter at UC Berkeley.

Rosa is determined to study sustainable environmental design at the College of Environmental Design and can’t wait to live the Cal college life such as attending football games and cultural events. Through this past year, SRA strongly supported Rosa with the college application process, financial aid, and preparing for important interviews.

As a first-generation student, it was hard to be on top of academics when both of Rosa’s parents did not speak the English language. But with SRA’s support, a history teacher’s encouragement, the sacrifices of their parents, and Rosa’s own determination, she has achieved her goal of becoming a Cal Bear!

Support first-generation students like Rosa today - donate to our Dreams to Degrees campaign!

LINK IN BIO

05/01/2026

May 1 marks National College Decision Day and we’re excited to feature SRA students all month long, starting with Trina!

“I’m super excited to be at Stanford in the fall, studying Electrical Engineering. I look forward to exploring my interests by taking various classes and biking all over the beautiful campus. SRA had helped immensely in my journey to the farm by keeping me on track for the Restrictive Early Action deadline and providing an essay coach that read through each revision of my personal statement. Thank you, Ellen, for reviewing my application one last time on Halloween; you’re the greatest!

Thank you to my recommenders who wrote thoughtful letters for me. And to my parents, who cried when I read my personal statement about how their lack of English, which they were embarrassed about, inspired me. I don’t know what the next four years will bring, but I’m grateful to have SRA alongside me.”

You can support first-generation students like Trina today - donate to our campaign!

04/02/2026

Does still count if the memory is from last week?? Because we still can’t get over the 20th annual SRA Gala last Thursday!

Together, our SRA community raised over $1M to ensure our first-generation students receive the advising, resources, opportunities, and guidance through the most important steps in their education and careers.

Want to get involved? Visit our website to learn how. Link 🔗 in bio.

03/30/2026

What an incredible evening! This year’s gala brought together over 300 incredible supporters, and together we raised $1.1M for Students Rising Above!

One of the most memorable moments of the night was hearing from our featured speaker, Edgar Galvez. Edgar’s story is a testament to what becomes possible when a young person is truly believed in.

Because of your presence and generosity, students who might otherwise have gone unseen are being seen, supported, and set up to thrive.

From all of us - thank you, thank you, thank you!

Until next year!

Address

San Francisco, CA
94119

Website

http://www.studentsrisingabove.org/

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