forbes.com
Braven's Volunteer Program Boosts First-Gen College Student Success
Braven, a nonprofit, uses nearly 2,700 volunteer Leadership Coaches to help first-generation and low-income college students succeed; its program boasts an 18 percentage-point higher success rate in securing strong first jobs or graduate school admission than the national average.
- How does Braven's approach to volunteer engagement contribute to its program's success rate?
- The Braven program demonstrates a significant impact on first-generation and low-income college students' career prospects. By leveraging 2700 volunteers, Braven achieves a success rate 18 percentage points higher than the national average (30%) for this demographic. This success highlights the program's effectiveness in bridging the opportunity gap.
- What is the primary impact of Braven's volunteer-led program on the career outcomes of first-generation and low-income college students?
- Braven, a nonprofit, utilizes volunteer Leadership Coaches like Alison Tuiyott and Jared Schain to guide undergraduates in a credit-bearing career course. This program boasts an 18 percentage point higher success rate in securing strong first jobs or graduate school admission compared to the national average for first-generation or low-income college students.
- What are the potential implications of Braven's model for addressing broader systemic inequalities in access to education and employment?
- Braven's model suggests a scalable approach to addressing the challenges faced by first-generation and low-income college students. The program's high success rate, driven by volunteer engagement, indicates a potential for broader implementation and significant impact on national employment and educational attainment.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The narrative is overwhelmingly positive, framing Braven and its volunteers in a highly favorable light. The headline and introduction immediately highlight the success stories and the volunteers' rewarding experiences. While this positive framing isn't inherently biased, it could benefit from a more balanced approach, acknowledging potential challenges while still celebrating achievements.
Language Bias
The language used is largely positive and celebratory, employing words like "essential," "powerful," "incredible," and "life-changing." While conveying enthusiasm is understandable, more neutral language could enhance objectivity. For example, instead of "life-changing," a more neutral phrase like "highly rewarding" could be used. The repeated emphasis on the volunteers' positive feelings could be toned down for a more balanced perspective.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the positive impacts of the Braven program and the volunteers' experiences, potentially omitting challenges or negative feedback. While acknowledging limitations of space, a more balanced perspective incorporating potential shortcomings or areas for improvement in the program could enhance the article's objectivity. The lack of data on the long-term career outcomes of fellows beyond their first job is also a notable omission.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat simplistic view of the impact of the program, suggesting a direct correlation between participation and success. While the data presented supports a positive outcome, it doesn't account for other contributing factors to the Fellows' success, thus creating a false dichotomy between Braven's contribution and other potential influences.
Gender Bias
The article features two volunteers, one male and one female, providing relatively balanced gender representation. The descriptions of their contributions and experiences seem equally detailed and avoid gender stereotypes. However, analyzing a larger sample of Braven volunteers might reveal underlying gender biases.
Sustainable Development Goals
The Braven program directly improves the quality of education by providing career-accelerating courses and leadership coaching to undergraduates, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. This leads to increased chances of securing strong first jobs or entering graduate school, thus improving their future prospects and contributing to a more skilled workforce. The program focuses on students who are first-generation college attendees and/or Pell Grant recipients, addressing a significant need within the higher education system.