Partnership helps remove barriers for prospective and admitted students
Making Waves Academy and Willamette University launched a partnership around a shared commitment to expand access to higher education and equip students with the personal support, financial aid, and resources they need to succeed.
With work underway this academic year, the partnership has already led to six times the number of Making Waves students applying to Willamette than the previous year.
Located in Richmond, California, Making Waves Academy is one of the nation’s top high schools according to U.S. News & World Report. With 1,000 students enrolled in grades 5-12, 99% of students are students of color and 87% are from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Making Waves Academy graduates are supported through college and into their careers by Making Waves Education Foundation, which provides scholarships and 1-1 college, career, and financial aid coaching.
The partnership with Willamette – a top private university in Salem, Oregon – adds another layer of admissions support, financial aid opportunities, and student success resources.
Strengthening pathways to Willamette
Making Waves students interested in attending Willamette now have a designated admissions counselor from the university and access to:
- Online workshops and in-person visits from Willamette to Making Waves Academy
- Group campus visits from Making Waves to Willamette and travel reimbursement for juniors and seniors
- Personalized admissions and application guidance for Making Waves students interested in Willamette
“Our students will have direct access to valuable resources that can make a real difference in their college journeys,” shared Dr. Arika Spencer-Brown, director of college and career counseling at Making Waves Academy.
“We’re thrilled to partner with universities like Willamette, so our students have access to more information around their college options and additional support throughout the admissions process.”
Teaming up on debt-free degrees
In terms of financial support, students are eligible to receive a $2,500 grant from Willamette University, which is ‘stackable,’ meaning it can be on top of federal financial aid, the Making Waves scholarship, and university or private scholarships.
For the 85% of Making Waves students who are first-generation college students, this can be a game-changer in making college more affordable or even cost-free. In the college Class of 2024, 85% of Making Waves students graduated college debt-free, with the financial freedom to reach their dreams.
“Willamette University is very excited to partner with Making Waves,” shared Sue Corner, dean of admissions at Willamette.
“The mission of Making Waves Academy to prepare students ‘rigorously and holistically’ for the college experience is exactly what makes for a successful Willamette student. Similarly, the core values of Making Waves of community, resiliency, respect, responsibility, and scholarship speak so closely to Willamette’s motto, ‘Not unto ourselves alone are we born.’ As a community of life-long learners ourselves, Willamette Bearcats value community connection, academic integrity and collaboration, and service to others.”
Let’s partner!
Making Waves has a proven model, partnering with thousands of students through the lifecycle of their education and employment journeys – from middle school and high school through college and career.
If your institution is interested in partnering to expand pathways and support for first-generation college students from low-income backgrounds, let’s connect.
About Willamette University
Willamette is a nationally renowned private university in Salem, Oregon. Founded in 1842, as the first university in the western U.S., Willamette has become a leader in civic engagement and service.
Our beautiful campus — located across the street from the Oregon State Capitol and co-located with Tokyo International University of America — features a residential undergraduate College of Arts & Sciences and graduate programs in the School of Law and the Atkinson Graduate School of Management, and the Pacific Northwest College of Art in Portland, Oregon.
Small classes, close student-faculty relationships, a commitment to collaborative research and a variety of programs provide an environment where teaching and learning flourish.
