Mission Moment Recap: A Morning Rooted in Purpose and Possibility
“We believe in the power of connection, the strength of shared stories, and the impact of showing up.”
On Monday, September 8, College Now held its first Mission Moment, a new engagement series designed to connect supporters more deeply with our mission. The event brought together a diverse group of entrepreneurs, educators, and public advocacy professionals eager to find ways to engage with their time, talent, and resources.
The panel showcased inspiring voices from across College Now’s ecosystem.
- Shaina Ann Schlegel, Interim Director of Development for Digital C, shared how her college journey—supported by College Now advising in high school, our scholarships, and her mentor, with whom she still keeps in touch—has resulted in a professional career where she has the opportunity to impact communities like hers. She described the mentorship she received as a “privilege” she lacked in her personal network, saying, “To have someone help me with internships, jobs, and help me understand that what I want to do was life changing.”
- Heather Beasley, Senior Director of Advising Programs and Services, reflected on her 15 years at College Now, beginning as an AmeriCorps member and now leading most of College Now’s TRIO and GEAR UP programming. She highlighted the lasting impact of our advising, sharing how College Now’s non-scholarship support transformed a student with limited college aspirations into a confident, college-bound senior.
- Ron Sims II, a former advisor and mentor now working as an IT engineer, spoke about how mentorship and peer community shaped his own path—elements that were not emphasized when he started at College Now, but are now central to our portfolio and our approach to ensuring our students’ success.
These stories weren’t just inspiring—they served as a call to action. College Now’s mission flourishes when our community steps up, shares their talents, and builds bridges to help students succeed. Just as importantly, our programming has an impact far beyond what we see on an individual level to produce future changemakers in our region. We appreciate everyone who joined us for this first Mission Moment—and we’re just getting started.
Please join us for next Mission Moment, a student-centered panel celebrating National First-Generation College Student Week, on Monday, November 3rd from 9 am – 10.30 am at College Now’s downtown office. Register today!