Collegiate Directions Incorporated

In 2011, CDI's first Scholars graduated from college. One of those graduates was Kevin Rivas.

When Kevin was in high school, he sometimes doubted that he had the discipline to be a top-notch student and was considering skipping college. But CDI counselors recognized Kevin's potential. Soon after entering the program, he blossomed under the structured, one-on-one environment the CDI model provides. He defied the odds and now, four years later, holds a degree in Business Administration from Juniata College. While in college CDI continued supporting Kevin by connecting him with an internship at ITT Corporation. Upon graduating, ITT hired Kevin and he's been working there as a financial analyst ever since. To learn more about Kevin and two other CDI Scholars, Wendy Avelar (Cornell University, 2011) and Frances Kalema (Hollins University, 2011), watch our video above.

Kevin's story is emblematic of the foundational work we do here. At CDI we believe that students from low-income families can make, through determination and hard work, empowered choices about their future. On average, CDI spends $5,000 every year on each of its 111 current Scholars. But as Kevin's story demonstrates, they are worth the investment. 100% of CDI Scholars are accepted into multiple four-year colleges and they have been rewarded with more than nine million dollars in scholarship offers.

CDI finds hard working students, many of whom would fall below the radar of selective college admission offices, and helps them realize their potential. We are a leading organization in college readiness and retention, preparing not only great Scholars but future leaders as well. 

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