TPI College Success Program Alumni Story Series
Part One: Jada’s Story
At TPI, we partner with donors and foundations to design and manage scholarship and college success programs that do more than help students access higher education — they help them persist, graduate, and thrive. Effective programs recognize that financial aid alone is often not enough; students also benefit from sustained support, guidance, and a network of people invested in their success. This blog series highlights the experiences of TPI-managed scholarship and college success program alumni whose lives and futures were shaped by philanthropic investments in their education.
Jada always knew she wanted to pursue higher education, but like many first-generation students, the path forward was filled with uncertainty. College represented possibility, exploration, and growth, but the “how” remained unclear, and it left the process to be navigated without a roadmap.
While financial aid was critical, Jada was looking for something deeper: guidance, connection, and belonging. “What I was looking for was definitely more than just financial support,” she said. “It was being able to be a part of an actual cohort of people with wraparound services.”
That’s where the Red Pine Scholars Program became more than a scholarship opportunity — it became an encouraging community.
Through Red Pine, she was paired with a mentor who became a steady, trusted presence throughout college, and created an experience that extended far beyond financial aid alone. “It was just so helpful to be able to have someone in my corner… someone who could just be there to say, ‘Hey, how are you? What can I help with?’” she shared. That consistent support made all the difference. “It felt like something bigger than just a scholarship,” Jada emphasized.
When Jada was accepted to New York University (NYU), affordability became a defining factor. Despite competing financial aid packages, the tuition cost made her college decision uncertain; but Red Pine helped shift that reality. “It made it feel more possible to go to a school like NYU,” she said. With that support, Jada chose the institution she felt most excited about, noting that NYU would challenge her and expand her perspective. “My decision probably would have looked very different if I hadn’t gotten the scholarship,” she reflected.
For Jada, the most transformative elements of Red Pine were the wraparound supports, especially mentorship and flexible funding. The program’s flex fund unlocked opportunities that would have otherwise been out of reach. “It really gave me access to do things, and open doors that otherwise would have been very difficult to open,” she explained.
Through this support, she studied abroad, participated in a summer internship program, and explored interests beyond the classroom. These weren’t just supplemental experiences — they were defining elements of her college journey. “The things that I remember the most about college and love the most about college happened because of the flex fund,” she said.
Equally important was the emotional and cultural support she received. Arriving at NYU brought a significant culture shock, and the transition wasn’t always easy. “I definitely struggled… especially in my first couple of years,” she shared. “It was just really helpful to have someone who was there to support me and check in on me.”
Jada, a Red Pine Scholars Program alumna, throwing her graduation cap in the air with joy. Photo provided by Jada.
After graduating, Jada carried forward the impact of her Red Pine experience into her career. She served in AmeriCorps through a college advising program, spent five years at a college access nonprofit, and later earned her MBA before continuing her work in education consulting. Her path reflects a deep commitment to expanding opportunity for others, rooted in her own lived experience.
Today, Jada has come full circle. As an advisor in the Red Pine Scholars Program, she now serves as a mentor for students navigating the same questions she once faced.
“To be able to pay it forward to a program that has impacted me so much and changed my life trajectory is just awesome.”
Her continued involvement speaks to the lasting relationships the program fosters. From her mentor to program staff, these connections have endured well beyond graduation, reinforcing the idea that true support doesn’t end when students leave campus.
For Jada, the lesson for funders is clear: college support must go beyond emergency relief. “We don’t just want our young people to survive through college; we also want them to thrive,” she emphasized. That means investing in the experiences that shape students’ futures, such as studying abroad, internships, mentorship, and professional development opportunities. These are the moments that transform a college degree into a launchpad.
Jada’s story is a powerful reminder that when philanthropy is designed to support the whole student, the impact extends far beyond graduation. It creates confident, capable leaders — and, in Jada’s case, someone committed to ensuring the next generation has the same opportunity to thrive.
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Jada’s story is the first in a series of TPI Scholarship & College Success Program alumni stories. This series highlights the experiences of TPI-managed scholarship and college success program alumni whose lives and futures were shaped by philanthropic investments in their education. Stay tuned in to our blog for more!
Cover photo credit: Gorica Poturak
