For students from low-income communities, the biggest barrier to college often isn’t ambition, it’s access. Last Friday, Urban Arts hosted its 3rd Annual College Forum at PwC in midtown, free through our College Access Program, ensuring our students enjoy direct access to both higher education leaders and college representatives.
Director of Post-Secondary Success Joelle Blackstock hosted and organized an hour-long panel featuring two industry leaders committed to expanding pathways for all students, with Urban Arts alum and ambassador Faiza Mohammed serving as moderator:
• Dr. Charles J. Gibbs, Ed.D., President of Metropolitan College of New York
• Sabrina Avila, Senior Manager of the STEM Research Academy at CUNY K16 Initiatives & Adult Pathways.
The Panel
Dr. Gibbs emphasized commitment. As a visionary leader dedicated to transforming education and inspiring future generations, Dr. Gibbs shared both concrete advice and encouragement. “You can be anywhere else right now on a Friday evening at 7:11. But you’re sitting here on Madison Avenue at PWC and listening to us—that’s commendable. What you’re delivering today, you’re ahead of the game. But I will also say you have so much more available to you that we did—the technology, the resources, the access.”
A former science educator, Ms. Avila expands access to STEM teaching and is passionate about helping students discover pathways into higher education, technology, and STEM careers—just like us. “I always advise finding that network. Start within your high school, finding a guidance counselor or other students who may have gone through a precollege program such as yourselves, and connecting, finding out which schools that they’re looking at. There may be some alumni. It’s really, really important to find that network and expand on that. It takes a bit of perseverance, persistence, resilience,” she shared.
Students and parents called the conversation “inspiring,” “encouraging,” “motivating,” and “very interesting.” Both panelists are parents of college-age children themselves, and that lived perspective broke through in a way a standard info session never could.
“It really helped when the panelists (who were both parents of college aged students) said to go after our dreams. I didn’t come with my parents, and I’ve had a lot of anxiety over making the right choices. It made me more confident, knowing that other people who have kids who’ve gone to college think that way.” Another student appreciated acknowledging the “fear and taking the jumps” anyway.
The Forum didn’t stop at the stage. Eleven colleges and universities from New York and across the country came to meet with students directly and personally, sharing conversations about academics and campus life.
The Colleges
Princeton University
United States Naval Academy
St. John’s University
St. Francis College
Barnard College
RISE – Queensborough Community College
St. John’s College (MD)
New York University
Champlain College
Columbia University
Binghamton University
These institutions get access to motivated students who are technically expert and creatively confident, products of Urban Arts’ rigorous programming. Our College Access has garnered 100% acceptance and $71 Million in scholarships since 2020. For students from low-income communities, this kind of direct, personal access to college representatives is rarely available through their high schools. It’s often absent from their college search entirely. The Forum closes that gap, giving students the chance to ask real questions, build real connections, and picture themselves on a campus that suddenly feels a lot less far away.
Daisy Navarro, Program Coordinator of Post-Secondary Success, staffed her own table, advising students and parents about the application process and sharing a calendar of important milestones throughout the year.
And there was great swag, plus a cash prize, because access should feel like a celebration too. Thank you to our panelists and representatives!
