FALL IN
THIS
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2013
URBAN
UCB’S 20TH
ANNIVERSARY
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FULL CIRLCE:
ALUMNI AT
UCB
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ews
STUDENT SERVICES
SPOTLIGHT:
PHOENIX FENG
SUCCESS STORY:
MARIE EVANS
M
arie Evans immigrated to the United States from
Haiti in 1990 and immediately began an English
course at a community college. After one
semester, Marie dropped out. One marriage,
three children, and eight years later, Marie decided to try
again. “Education was always my goal,” she says, “from
the moment I came to this country, I wanted to go to
school.” Some of Marie’s co-workers, who were attending
UCB, explained that she could get academic and moral
support, as well as financial aid, if she continued her
education at UCB. “They described it as a family,” she
shares, “ that’s why I decided to go to Urban College.”
Once there, Marie found a faculty and staff ready
to guide her through each step of the process. “I did
not get lost like I did at other places,” she explains,
“They help you from the ground up.” Marie also
found a community of adult learners who were
URBAN RISING
COLLEGE SOARS TO NEW
HEIGHTS
2013
has proven to be one of Urban College’s
most successful years. The number of
enrolled students for calendar year 2013 is up 29% over
2012. 2013 registrations have increaded 31% over
2012, and new student enrollment for 2013 has risen
an incredible 138% over 2012. Comparing the current
Fall 2013 semester to last Fall, the number of enrolled
students is up by 50%, registrations are up 47%, and
“I did not get lost like I did
at other places.They help you
from the ground up.”
the number of new students has grown an astonishing
211%. Registrations for the Fall 2013 semester were the
highest in the College’s history. New student enrollment
for the same semester were the highest in over a decade.
Urban College is currently serving almost 1,200 students
annually--a number that continues to grow as UCB’s
partnerships and programs expand. With new collaborations
and new students pouring in, Urban College has also
landed several major grants from the Barr Foundation,
the Balfour Foundation and the Boston Foundation.
These grants, an increase in contributions, ABCD, Inc.’s
outstanding show of generosity and support through
debt forgiveness, and exciting growth in enrollment have
FULL CIRCLE
ALUMNI WORKING FOR
URBAN COLLEGE
UCB’S 20
TH
CELEBRATING IN STYLE
This year Urban College celebrated
its 20th Anniversary with all the pomp
and circumstance appropriate to twenty
years of transforming communities
through the power of education
and workforce development. UCB
held its 2013 Commencement in
the historic Cutler Majestic Theatre.
Almost 800 friends and family
gathered around over 90 graduates to
honor their incredible success. Diane
Patrick and Angela Menino, both longtime supporters of UCB, attended the
graduation. Mrs. Menino spoke eloquently
to the graduates, commending them on
their hard earned achievements. The
stars of the evening, however, were
UCB’s graduates. Graduates, Cecelia
Young, Esther Rodriguez, Noemi Pineda,
Maritza Alvarez and Eva Jacobs all
spoke with conviction about the power
of being surrounded by positive people,
perseverence, and the passionate
pursuit of a better life for themselves,
their families, and their communities.
UCB continued its celebration by
partnering with the Center on the
Developing Child at Harvard University
to offer students and community leaders
a day with renowned researcher Dr.
Jack Shonkoff. Over 200 professionals
gathered at the Benjamin Franklin Institute
of Technology to participate in a seminar on
“Strengthening the Foundations of Healthy
Development for Children Experiencing
Stress.” The event provided a critical forum
for Early Educators to network and engage
cutting edge research that is impacting the
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his year, four Urban College alums have come
full circle and now serve as faculty and staff at
the College. Rebecca Davila and Miguel de
los Santos are two of these graduates who
have made their way back to the community
that gave them their start. Rebecca attended
community college just after high school and dropped
out after one year. Seven years later, she decided
to try again at Urban College. “I had co-workers and
friends attending UCB,” she explains, “and they said
so many positive things about it.” With a full-time job
and two young children, Rebecca spent the next 3 ½
years working toward an A.A. in Human Services. “The
faculty and staff could not have been more supportive,”
she remembers, “Being at school was a big part of my
life. If I hadn’t been at Urban College, I wouldn’t have
finished my degree. I always loved going to school.”
Rebecca reconnected with Urban College in 2012
when she contacted her former advisor, Nancy Daniel,
for advice on going on to get her BA. Rebecca is now
pursuing her BA in Human Services at Springfield
“If I hadn’t been at Urban
College, I wouldn’t have
finished my degree. I
always loved going to
school.”
MARIE EVANS
College and working full-time at UCB as an Enrollment
and Financial Aid Counselor. “Now, I can be a voice
for other students,” she says, “I’ve been there.”
UCB’S 20TH CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2
Like Rebecca, Miguel draws on his own experience to
meet students where they are—in his case, as a member
of the faculty. Miguel found UCB after completing one
year at a community college. Miguel transitioned to
UCB because of the many positive reviews he heard
from friends and co-workers. After graduating in 2008
with his A.A. in General Studies, Miguel went on to
complete his BS in Computer Networking at Wentworth
Institute of Technology and has developed his own
IT services company, MAD Technology. Miguel is
now an adjunct faculty member at Urban College,
teaching the course, Using Computers to Manage
a Child-Care Business. Miguel was so impressed
by his own experience at UCB that he encouraged
both his mother and his wife to attend. Both women
are currently enrolled and working toward degrees.
UCB concluded its 20th Year festivities
with an Anniversary Reception held
at the distinguished Parkman House.
Staff, trustees, alumni and partners of
the College gathered to celebrate two
decades of success. Community partners,
Syvalia Hyman III (ABCD, Inc.), Yvette
Rodriguez (Head Start), Carla Seymour
(Head Start EPS Region 6), Arlene Ramos
(Project Hope), Miki Akimoto (The Balfour
Foundation), Kimberly Haskins (BARR
Foundation), Margaret Ings and Mary
Higgins (Emerson College), and Urban
College’s own Dean of Academic Affairs,
Nancy Daniel, all received Bridge Builder
Awards for their incredible dedication to
the mission of Urban College.
When his wife expressed her fears about being able to
succeed in a new country and in a new language, Miguel
responded, “Don’t worry; I got you. Urban College
knows how to get you to the next level.” Sharing what
it means to be back at UCB, this time as an instructor,
Miguel gushes, “If feel like I ‘ve won the lottery! I hope
people understand the value of Urban College and
invest. If I had a million dollars, I would give it to UCB.”
“I hope people understand
the value of Urban College
and invest. If I had a
million dollars, I would
give it to UCB.”
rapidly expanding field of Early Childhood
Education.
URBAN RISING CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
dramatically changed UCB’s financial
landscape. UCB will end 2013 with a
substantial surplus. President, Michael
Taylor, elaborates, “This extraordinary
growth in student enrollment, support from
major foundations and prudent financial
management will enable UCB to have
the fiscal and programmatic credibility
to successfully engage individuals,
corporations and other foundations to
support our critical mission.”
Fall 2012
Fall 2013
1261
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
struggling to overcome the same obstacles as she
was. Juggling a full-time job, a family and school
on a slim budget was difficult, but Marie persevered.
“The faculty were so humble and understanding,”
Marie shares, “Urban College was all that I needed.”
In 2003, after five years of hard work, Marie graduated
with her Associate of Arts degree in Human Services
Administration. But Marie didn’t stop there. She went
on to get her BA and MA in Mental Health from Lesley
University. Speaking about her transition from UCB to
Lesley, Marie states, “All my credits transferred, and I
was prepared. I felt I could do anything.” Marie used the
skills and experience she gathered at Urban College
to build her own community at Lesley and to meet new
academic challenges. Marie is now the Head Start
Health Supervisor at the Community Action Agency of
Somerville where she directs a dedicated team of family
advocates and health and disability specialists to serve
over 350 families each year. Marie coordinates wih
parents, faculty and clinics to ensure the children in her
classrooms and their families are healthy and successful.
Of all of her accomplishments, Marie is most proud
of her education. Marie explains, “Getting my education
was my biggest challenge, but I did it!” Hand to her
heart, mist in her eyes, Marie says, “Urban College
is right here. If you need a place to start, UCB is
the place to start. When you realize you are not
alone, you begin to understand, ‘I can do it too’.”
856
769
512
47%
252
50%
Enrolled
Students
211%
81
Registrations
New Students
URBAN
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SUPPORT
URBAN COLLEGE
OF BOSTON.
VOLUNTEER. Give back to Urban College by
becoming a volunteer. Contact our offices to get a
volunteer packet and apply for one of our exciting
opportunities today!
DONATE. Show your support for UCB with a
much-needed financial gift. Send us a check in the
mail or donate online at www.urbancollege.edu.
GET THE WORD OUT. Tell everyone
about the incredible opportunities offered by UCB.
Contact our office to request materials that you can
distribute in your workplace or community.
This year Urban College hired Phoenix Feng, our first
full-time Chinese bilingual staff member. Phoenix
graduated from Northeastern University with her M.A.
in Higher Education Administration. “Helping people
makes me happy,” she beams, “and Urban College is
one of a kind. There’s nowhere else students can get
this kind of help in their own languages.” UCB’s bilingual
approach to education allows English Language
Learners to advance professionally faster and learn the
English language with a greater level of proficiency.
URBAN COLLEGE OF BOSTON
178 Tremont St. 7th Floor
Boston, MA 02111
www.urbancollege.edu
CONTACT US!
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[email protected]
Urban College of Boston is a 501 (c) 3 organization.
STUDENT
SERVICES
SPOTLIGHT:
PHOENIX FENG