EMERGE

The EMERGE team had an incredible time at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, enjoying a day of connection, community, and celebration. From experiencing the rodeo's rich traditions to sharing great conversations over delicious food, it was a wonderful opportunity to come together outside of our daily work. We're grateful for moments like these that strengthen our team and reinforce our commitment to the students and communities we serve. #EMERGEatTheRodeo #HoustonRodeo #TeamEMERGE #BuildingCommunity #EMERGEVillage

?? Student Spotlight: Viktoria ?? Meet Viktoria, a driven and creative senior at Spring Woods High School in Spring Branch ISD! When she's not excelling in academics, you can find her writing poetry, playing instruments, drawing, or performing with Winter Guard—she truly does it all! ???? With a passion for computer science, Viktoria's journey began when she taught herself Java through ROBLOX at just 10 years old! Now, she's on track to pursue a career in software development at a top university. She's already received acceptances from Texas A&M Engineering, the University of Houston Honors College, and UT Computer Science—and she's eagerly awaiting decisions from Purdue, Brown, and more! ??? Through EMERGE, Viktoria found invaluable support from her program managers, mentors, and family, helping her navigate the challenges of being a first-generation college student. She especially cherishes the bond she's built with her mentor, Becky, who has been a guiding light throughout her journey. ?? "EMERGE introduced me to endless opportunities that I didn't believe were attainable. With their help, I was able to dream big and turn distant stars into stepping stones for my future. What once felt impossible now feels like just the beginning." We are so proud of you, Viktoria! Your future is limitless. ???? #EMERGEscholars #FirstGenSuccess #BuildTheVillage #CollegeBound

?? Mentor Highlight: Zach Harris ?? At EMERGE, mentorship is about building meaningful connections that inspire and uplift. Through the EMERGE Mentor Program, selected high school seniors are paired with Houston-area professionals who support their personal growth and expose them to new professional opportunities. Zach Harris, Wealth Manager at Bernstein Private Wealth, has been a dedicated mentor to Angel G.F. (Klein Oak High School '25)—celebrating his wins and providing encouragement as he embarks on his college journey. ??? Zach shares, "EMERGE is an efficiently run organization that applies its resources toward extremely deserving individuals and achieves concrete results. Educational opportunities like the ones EMERGE provides don't just change lives—they shape future generations." A 5th generation Houstonian, Zach is committed to giving back to his community. Join us in celebrating Zach and all the incredible mentors who uplift and empower our scholars! ?? #EMERGEscholars #MentorshipMatters #BuildTheVillage

?? Student Spotlight: David M. ?? David, a Klein Forest High School '25 student, is headed to Northwestern University '29! ?? "Thanks to EMERGE, I've broken a ceiling once thought impossible by a naive me." David's journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, mentorship, and access to opportunity. We can't wait to see the impact he makes at Northwestern and beyond! Drop a ?? in the comments to celebrate David's achievement! #EMERGEscholars #NorthwesternBound #FirstGenSuccess #CollegeBound #SeniorSpotlight #FutureLeader

93% of EMERGE students are accepted to at least one top college or university. But behind every acceptance letter is a journey—one that requires guidance, mentorship and financial support. Your donation helps make that possible. When you give to EMERGE, you're investing in the next generation of leaders from low-income communities. ?? ?? Your support changes lives! Donate now to help EMERGE students get into top colleges, thrive, and become future leaders: https://bit.ly/3C9RpXQ #HigherEducation #CollegeAccess #SupportEMERGE #DonateForImpact

Last week, our team gathered in person for our Q Meeting. It was an opportunity to reflect on our collective impact, celebrate wins for the fiscal year, and engage in a CliftonStrengths activity to better understand how we can collaborate more effectively. By strengthening our team, we enhance our ability to support students in reaching their highest potential. ?? When we work together with intention, we create better pathways for the next generation of leaders. #Collaboration #StrengthsBasedLeadership #StudentSuccess #EMERGETeam #MovingOfficesSoon

?? On March 4, we came together for an unforgettable afternoon at EMERGE's 8th annual Build The Village Luncheon! ?? With over 400 supporters, mentors, and champions of our mission, we celebrated the power of community and the life-changing impact of expanding college access for high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds. Every student's journey is shaped by the village that surrounds them—and because of YOU, their path to and through the nation's top colleges is even brighter. ??? Thank you for believing in our scholars and being part of this movement! #BuildTheVillage #EMERGEscholars #CollegeSuccess #EquityInEducation

In Texas high schools, the student-to-counselor ratio averages an overwhelming 400:1, making it challenging for students to receive the guidance they need. At EMERGE, we've narrowed that ratio to 60:1, and for seniors, it's just 40:1, ensuring that first-generation students receive personalized, life-changing support as they prepare for college and beyond. We're committed to empowering students to achieve their full potential—because every student deserves a champion in their corner. ?? #EMERGEScholars #SupportEducation #Houston

?? Scholar Spotlight: Nico D. | Heights High School, Class of 2025 With EMERGE's guidance, Nico successfully matched with QuestBridge and will attend Washington University in St. Louis on a full-ride scholarship to study Biology (Pre-Med). "As the first person to pursue a college degree in my family, even the start of my journey to education was daunting. However, EMERGE was the key that unlocked possibilities I did not know existed, showing me how even FGLI students like me can attend top universities with no debt." ?? EMERGE is dedicated to helping high-achieving, first-generation students access and succeed at top universities—debt-free. ?? Want to support more scholars like Nico? Donate today: https://bit.ly/3C9RpXQ #CollegeAccess #QuestBridge #FirstGenSuccess #HigherEd #EMERGEscholars

We are thrilled to report that 79% of our EMERGE seniors have already received acceptance letters! Our seniors are receiving outstanding news, with offers from prestigious schools, including Dartmouth, University of Pennsylvania, Columbia, and Cornell. The excitement continues to build as more acceptance letters arrive, opening doors to our students' dream schools. Our high school seniors have shown incredible momentum this fall, already submitting an impressive 5,079 college applications - averaging 11 applications per student. An outstanding 100% of our EMERGE senior class have begun their college journey by submitting at least one college application, and nearly 2000 early decision and early action applications were submitted. None of this would be possible without our incredible program managers, whose tireless commitment to their students through every step of the process has been extraordinary. Everyone at EMERGE is so proud of all our seniors and what they have already accomplished! Congratulations to the Class of 2025!