This pilot program led to 100% of students gaining increased information about career pathways, increased social capital connections, stronger durable skills, and renewed motivation for their future.
A first-generation college graduate pursuing her dreams in public relations, Chaylah Williams shared: “Know where you’re going, why you’re going, and know what you’re going to do when you get there.”
Education should be a bridge to opportunities rather than a barrier. We hope this conversation helps current and future college students feel understood, connected, and inspired.
Making Waves Academy and Willamette University are partnering to expand access to higher education and equip students with the personal support, financial aid, and resources they need to succeed.
Voices of Making Waves: Meet Armando Ramirez “I always try to advocate for both mental health and for higher education, especially in the Latino community,”
Making Waves is partnering with Studio Bondy to create opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience in architecture and design through field trips, internships, externships, job shadowing, and more.
Making Waves has excelled at supporting students from 5th grade through college graduation, but in today’s landscape a degree alone no longer guarantees economic mobility. CEO Patrick O’Donnell shares why he’s excited to reimagine what’s possible in expanding educational opportunity AND expanding career opportunity for our students.
“Ser parte de Making Waves cambió mi trayectoria”, dice Enrique Romero. “No tendría la formación para poder ir a la universidad”, explica él, graduado de la licenciatura en sociología por Pitzer College en California y de la maestría en políticas educativas por Harvard University en Massachusetts. Gracias al apoyo incondicional de sus padres y al acompañamiento de Making Waves, Enrique pudo tomar decisiones que lo llevaron a un futuro diferente.
Our programs provide students of color from low-income backgrounds with the educational opportunities, career skills and experiences, and financial freedom they need to meet their goals and thrive. Here are some of the highlights of what that looked like in 2024 and a preview of what’s to come in 2025.
Giovanna Barragan, a first-gen college student at USC, celebrates first-gen student day. “For me, being first-gen is to be an example for the generations after me. It means showing them that they can go for their dreams and break barriers. It’s like a special title that honors my family’s sacrifices while also planting new seeds.”
We are excited to share some incredible news – this fall, the Contra Costa County Board of Education unanimously voted to approve Making Waves Academy’s five-year charter renewal. The vote was met with both applause and tears of joy from the over 150 supporters who filled the room (with more joining online), proudly wearing Making Waves shirts and sharing the essential role Making Waves plays in the lives of students and families in the Richmond community.
As a sociology major at California State University, Stanislaus, Jezebelle Maldonado (she/her) chose an undergraduate research topic that wasn’t just about academics. It was personal. Now a first-generation college graduate with a bachelor’s degree to her name, Jezebelle is working in the healthcare field as a behavior technician and is considering a master’s degree in the future. “One thing I am taking with me from college is to not be afraid to build connections,” she said
