Alexis Crosby’s story shows what’s possible when academic talent meets access, trusted guidance and sustained opportunity.
A lifelong Clevelander, Alexis grew up in a family rooted in the city through the Great Migration. Her parents offered unwavering love and encouragement, but they had never navigated higher education themselves. Alexis would become the first in her family to earn a bachelor’s degree – stepping into a system filled with unfamiliar rules, costs and expectations.
Opening the Door to College
As the 2008 valedictorian of Cleveland’s Glenville High School, Alexis had the academic ability to succeed, but access wasn’t guaranteed. Standardized test fees, FAFSA completion and college applications posed real barriers to her until College Now’s presence at her school changed the trajectory.
Through College Now, Alexis received college entrance exam prep support, testing fee vouchers and direct FAFSA assistance.
With that foundation, Alexis began researching at Case Western Reserve University while still in high school. Early exposure to college-level work and relationships with mentors who recognized her potential helped her envision herself thriving on a college campus.
Choosing Belonging Over Distance
Like many high-achieving students, Alexis was accepted to colleges across the country. She ultimately chose to stay in Cleveland and attend Case Western Reserve University—not out of limitation, but out of connection. She had already found an academic home through research and advocates invested in her success.
Her experience reflects a broader truth: students are more likely to stay in the region when they feel meaningfully connected to local institutions before they ever graduate high school.
Finding Her Path
Alexis had always excelled in math and science and was initially encouraged to pursue a STEM-related degree. She quickly realized, however, that a career in a lab simply didn’t match her passion. One of the professors she met through early research offered something she didn’t know she needed: permission to explore other careers.
For a first-generation student, those conversations don’t always happen through family networks. College Now and its ecosystem of advisors and partners helped Alexis see that success can take many forms. College Now also helped reduce the financial burden through scholarships and partnerships, limiting student loans and freeing Alexis to pursue leadership opportunities and internships, ultimately earning her bachelor’s degree in sociology and English. She then went on to receive a master’s degree in developmental and child psychology.
Today, Alexis serves as the Ohio state lead for the Fair Elections Center, working at the intersection of higher education, civic engagement and public policy. She helps ensure college students across Ohio understand their voting rights and can fully participate in democracy. She continues to mentor students and advocate for equitable systems grounded in lived experience.