CyclusBreak using Pre-Collegiate App with High School Seniors
John F. Kennedy High School, Denver, CO
By Linda Ruiz December 17, 2016
From their humble beginnings, in an effort to address legislation and align an Education Tech
Project with current senate bills passed in California – bills created to make an impact on college
access & degree completion, CyclusBreak in 2014 met with then, interim Vice Chancellor of the
California Community College System – Dr. Denise Noldon in Sacramento, CA. “We shared with
her our innovative mobile app – designed to introduce digital counseling into a system where in
some colleges, student to counselor ratios have reached 1800:1,” cited Founding Partner of the Ed
Tech Company.
With the mission to improve higher education opportunities for students – focusing much attention
on those who have historically been underrepresented, CyclusBreak works with a network of
amazing entrepreneurs, community activists, educational professionals, students, counselors, and
parents both in Colorado and California. Visiting over 80 universities, community colleges and
community based organizations -- conducting research and speaking with higher ed. experts,
Founders Linda Ruiz & Renee Romero work and support those who are interested in using apps
to integrate educational activities onto students’ mobile devices. Counselors especially are looking
for engaging activities and resources for the students they serve to help deepen both their
communication and practice.
In addition to maximizing communication and improving student awareness regarding college
access and degree completion, CyclusBreak’s mobile app platform supports the development and
expansion of research-based actions that support pipeline initiatives. Related to outreach &
matriculation are educational policies that address key transition points in the educational pipeline
that can pay substantial dividends in educational capital.
Engaging with the Denver Public School District and discussing collaborative efforts with
universities like Adams State University in Alamosa, CO where Eric Carpio, Assistant Vice
President of Enrollment & Student Services, recognizes the importance of using technology with
millineals – digital natives, states, “I can see how empowering admissions and outreach efforts
with the right tools enables staff to more effectively support the transition for high school seniors
to full matriculation. We have to recognize students use mobile devices [their phones] for just
about everything.”
Downloaded on their smart phone, the CyclusBreak Pre-Collegiate App is introduced to high
school seniors, like those at John F. Kennedy High School in Denver, CO. Students use the app to
learn about and check off “tasks” relative to college enrollment. Because of its sequential platform
the CB App carries with it the capability to provide students a warm hand off from their high
school counselor to Carpio’s [ASU] outreach recruits.
Additionally, in combating summer melt (a period when many students, intimidated by or simply
unaware of college policy and deadlines fail to enroll) make using a well-thought out application,
like the Pre-Collegiate App not only sensible, but real-world. With collaborative synergy between
institutions, driving college awareness and facilitating thoughtful transition, increasing access and
persistence at the college level can be realised at greater rates.
Following enrollment, CyclusBreak College Apps, afforded to freshmen and the following year to
sophomores, will transform the completion rate trajectory of students at their partnered school. A
desired outcome by all.
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CyclusBreak is a Latina Founded Colorado-based organization recognized by the National
Science Foundation, 2016, dedicated to “Breaking the Cycle of Poverty, Unsupported Educational
Pathways, & Stagnant Social Mobility”
*Special thanks to the Principal, C. De La Oliva and Counseling staff at JFK. Your students are
remarkably generous and your administrative/support staff are incredibly devoted to student
success.