Our Work is Different
In 2002, our founder, Mychal Wynn, published Increasing Student Achievement: A Guide to School Improvement Planning outlining 6 researched-based components for increasing student outcomes:
- Mission
- Vision
- Climate & Culture
- Curriculum & Content
- Instruction
- Assessment
These research-based components were not only advocated for schools, they became the core components of our work:
- Our Mission is to expand postsecondary outcomes of students from marginalized communities and under-resourced backgrounds.
- Our Vision is to enable students to pursue debt-free pathways after high school into the workplace, military, or college.
- Our Climate & Culture builds relationships with students and families through small group, large group, and one-on-one sessions in which the dreams and aspirations of students are affirmed and serve as a context for conversations and the foundation for conceptualizing postsecondary strategies.
- Our Curriculum & Content provides research-responsive guidance through culturally relevant, self-validating, and reaffirming online and print materials in which students engage in critical thinking, self-reflection, setting goals, and narrative writing.
- Our Instruction is research-based student-centered pedagogy that is differentiated, culturally reaffirming, and focused on increasing self-efficacy.
- Our Assessment is reflected in student outcome data across such areas as increased academic performance, positive contributions to students’ school communities, acceptance into top colleges and programs, and in the fulfillment of our vision of achieving debt-free postsecondary pathways.
Our Outcomes are Amazing
We have near 100 percent success with students achieving their desired postsecondary outcomes. Pictured here is Yuzu, a first generation Vietnamese student from Guilford County Schools (NC) who was a participant in our First Generation College Cohort, the recipient of the 2020 Magna Award from the National School Boards Association. Yuzu was selected as an Elon University Odyssey Scholar where she received both a BS and MS in Accounting.
While most of the students with whom we work are pursuing 2-year or 4-year college pathways, we also work with students who are choosing workplace or military enlistment pathways. Regardless of the chosen pathways that students pursue, we have a near 100 percent success rate in guiding students to where they want to go. We maintain relationships with the vast majority of students and families with whom we work—a relationship that continues throughout students’ postsecondary experiences. We continue supporting students in earning scholarships during college, graduate school fellowships, converting their résumés in curriculum vitas, and writing cover letters for internships and employment.
Our Brag Sheet
Our students are attending college everywhere from Caltech and MIT to Claflin and North Carolina A&T:
- Students have received full need-based scholarships to such schools as Amherst, Bates, Bowdoin, Brown, Caltech, Carleton, Claremont McKenna, Davidson, Duke, Florida A&M, Hamilton, Johns Hopkins, Northeastern, Northwestern, Princeton, Swarthmore, Vanderbilt, Vassar, Wake Forest, Wesleyan, and Williams.
- Students have received full merit-based scholarships to such schools as Benedict, Claflin, Clark Atlanta, Dillard, Georgia Tech, North Carolina A&T, North Carolina Central, Tennessee State, Tuskegee, UNC – Chapel Hill, University of Richmond, University of Southern California, University of Texas – Austin, Xavier University of Louisiana, and Washington & Lee.
- Students have been selected as CodeHouse Scholars, ELC Scholars, Elks Scholars, Elon University Odyssey Scholars, Ford Foundation Fellows, Gates Millennium Scholars, Georgia Tech Clark Scholars, Georgia Tech Gold Scholars, Jack Kent Cooke College Scholars, National Science Foundation Fellows, North Carolina A&T Alumni Scholars, North Carolina A&T Cheatham-White Scholars, North Carolina A&T Dowdy Scholars, North Carolina Central Cheatham-White Scholars, Northeastern University Dr. Martin Luther King Fellows, Northeastern University Torch Scholars, Ohio University Templeton Scholars, Posse Scholars, QuestBridge Scholars, Rhodes Scholars, Ron Brown Scholars, Tuskegee University Distinguished Presidential Scholars, UMBC Meyerhoff Scholars, University of Chicago Odyssey Scholars, and Xavier University of Louisiana Presidential Scholars.
While only 0.1% of students nationally are attending college on a full scholarship, nearly 50% of our students receive at least 1 full scholarship offer each year. While the 6-year college graduation rate is less than 50% for first generation, students of color, and students from lower-resourced backgrounds, the students whom we are able to track through college are graduating on-time at a rate above 90%.
Expanding Access Reducing Debt Achieving Dreams
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Mychal Wynn is an author, educator, researcher, and strategist who uses the most currently available data to develop research-responsive strategies. Scholarship data is clear—despite the many social media posts regarding and promoting scholarships, according to U.S. Scholarship Statistics (Woodward 2024):
- Only one in eight college students is awarded a scholarship
- 97% of students that are awarded scholarships received less than $2,500
- Only 0.2% of students receive scholarships worth $25,000 or more
- Full-ride scholarships (education + living expenses) are awarded to only about 0.1% of students
In response to these statistics, Mychal Wynn’s latest addition to our curriculum is HBCU Scholarships…and more*, which provides a scholarship playbook based on proven results, including full scholarships to such HBCUs as:
- Benedict College
- Claflin University
- Clark Atlanta University
- Dillard University
- Florida A&M University
- North Carolina A&T State University
- North Carolina Central University
- Tuskegee University
- Xavier University of Louisiana
The scholarship strategies set forth in HBCU Scholarships…and more* have also resulted in students receiving such scholarships as:
- Amazon Scholarship
- Ann Fudge Scholarship
- BP HBCU Fellowship Program
- CodeHouse Scholarship
- Goldman Sachs ‘Market Madness’
- MC Lyte Hip Hop Sisters Educate Our Men Scholarship
- UnitedHeath Group Scholarship
HBCU Scholarships…and more* reveals how students matched to the right scholarships and developed the body of work that propelled them into the 0.1% of students attending college on a full scholarship. A “scholarship strategy” is not about gimmicks, luck, or wishful thinking, but submitting high quality application packages, developing well-written and thoughtful essays that effectively make the argument for being awarded the scholarship, both of which are supported by a student’s body or work and recommendations. Reaching a full scholarship does not require that a student applies for 100+ scholarships, but for 3 – 5 well researched and well matched scholarships. HBCU Scholarships…and more* further expands on the comprehensive curriculum set forth in A Middle School Plan for Students with College-Bound Dreams and A High School Plan for Students with College-Bound Dreams. The book is part of a 4-book series that includes Why Attend an HBCU, HBCU Healthcare Pathways, and HBCU STEM Pathways.
Recognizing that not all students affirm a postsecondary pathway into college, Mr. Wynn has also expanded our curriculum to provide guidance for students developing individual graduation plans into the workforce or military. How to Plan a Career or College Pathway guides students through developing an interest profile and researching workplace, military, or college pathways aligned each student’s gifts, talents, interests, and postsecondary aspirations. Through this process the curriculum provides guidance in maximizing the available CTE/CTAE, workplace certifications, dual enrollment, and magnet school opportunities unique to each students’ school, school district, and local community.
Regardless of which postsecondary pathway a student chooses, how to study and how to increase learning are essential to expanding access to workforce, military, or college opportunities. In Career or College Pathway: Study Skills & Learning Strategies, Mr. Wynn has written a curriculum that supports these elements by introducing students to over 40 research-based study approaches and learning strategies. Rather than being prescriptive, students are guided in choosing strategies based on their personality, temperament, learning style, and mindset. Both the print and online curriculum are supported by links to videos of experts and college professors explaining the cognitive science behind the strategies. Developing and applying research-based strategies for how to study and how to learn are rarely taught in school. We encourage you to assess our assessment by asking any student to explain:
- The 5 Steps in the Study Cycle.
- Any of the following strategies and why they work: Self-quizzing, daily questioning, pre-thinking, effortful learning, feedback, intense study, mixed student, paraphrasing & reflecting, practice testing, pre-testing, retrieval practice, self-monitoring, self-quizzing and self-explanation, spaced practice.
- The ‘Forgetting Curve’ and how to strengthen memories.
- The ‘Feynman Learning Technique’ and why it works.
- The 3 components at the center of all learning (i.e., encoding, retention, and retrieval) the role of studying skills and learning strategies in memory retention and recall.
Despite schools offering SAT/ACT prep classes and parents spending thousands of dollars on SAT/ACT prep, few students achieve significant increases in test scores. The only explanation as to why our research-based and research responsive approach is achieving such amazing outcomes is that we have broken through the insanity—”Doing the same thing over and over, while expecting different results!”
I served on the cohort youth leadership board and developed the body of work that Mr. and Mrs. Wynn told me would help me receive a full scholarship to an HBCU. After following their advice, I was offered a full scholarship to the honors college at Claflin University and the Alumni Scholarship to the North Carolina A and T Honors College. As a result of their guidance, everything has been paid for through my scholarship, including books, fees, room, board, and tuition. It has not cost me anything! AND, I am now an ELC Scholar!TaRetta [GA], North Carolina A and T Honors College
I honestly had not given serious thought to attending an HBCU, but Mr. and Mrs. Wynn suggested that I take a close look at Xavier and Tuskegee. Following their advice, I took a road trip with my parents to visit both schools. I was offered full scholarships to both schools and accepted the Distinguished Presidential Scholarship from Tuskegee where I am on the baseball team (#20) and majoring in mechanical engineering.Ryan [FL], Tuskegee University
Mr. and Mrs. Wynn are amazing. I cannot think of a single part of the college planning process that they did not help me with from preparing my application to the Spelman Honors College, comparing my financial aid award letters, applying for the CodeHouse and ELC Scholarships, and preparing for interviews. Nowhere was their support more meaningful than in challenging my thinking and guiding me through the emotionally stressful and mentally exhausting essay writing process.Joie [GA], Spelman Honors College
During the summer prior to beginning my senior year of high school, Mr. and Mrs. Wynn changed my life. They guided me into Dillard University and helped me develop an essay that landed me the MC Lyte Hip Hop Sisters Educating our Men Scholarship. I received a BS in Physics from Dillard and a MS in Engineering from Georgia Tech.Justin [GA], Dillard University/Georgia Tech
As triplets, working with Mr. and Mrs. Wynn landed all of us full scholarships—2 of which were to HBCUs. While one of my sisters received a full scholarship to Claflin University, I received mine as a Dowdy Scholar at North Carolina A and T where I am about to receive my BS in Kinesiology and enter graduate school to receive by DPT in Physical Therapy.Sydnee [GA], North Carolina A and T State University
As a triplet, my sisters and I needed full scholarships to help our parents avoid taking out loans. Joining the cohort and working with Mr. and Mrs. Wynn landed all of us full scholarships. I received my full scholarship from Claflin University where I have loved my HBCU experience.Tristyn [GA], Claflin University
Mr. and Mrs. Wynn guided me into a full scholarship at Claflin University that I turned down to pursue enrollment at a bigger school. However, that did not work out so well and where I eventually left school. Then out of nowhere, Mrs. Wynn called to check in on me and wow! I am back in school where I should have been all along. Mrs. Wynn's phone call was God sent.Parris [FL], Claflin University
Although a top student attending one of the top ranked public high schools in Georgia, I was totally unaware of any college pathways beyond the Ivy League or Georgia Tech/UGA—the only schools that students at my school talked about. Being introduced to the UMBC Meyerhoff Scholars Program, patterned after the HBCU "culture of caring," put me on a life altering trajectory. In addition to my scholarship, I received 3 degrees [BS in Math and Science, and a BA in Economics], and was selected as a Rhodes Scholar. I am now pursuing my PhD in Economics at Oxford University.Sam [GA], UMBC Meyerhoff Scholar
Mr. and Mrs. Wynn, when I joined the cohort and read about the stories of students who had received full scholarships, I thought my only full scholarship pathway would be through athletics. Wow, was I wrong! Being offered a full scholarship to Northeastern and receiving a full scholarship as a Cheatham-White Scholar to North Carolina A and T was unimaginable. My mother and I can never thank you enough for all that you have done.Jada [GA], North Carolina A and T Honors College
I am 1 of 8 siblings from rural Lake City, South Carolina. Prior to joining the cohort as a 10th grader, I had resolved to attend school in South Carolina and take out student loans. However, through the cohort, I learned about Bates College and The George Washington University, both of which I was offered admission together with full scholarships. Mr. Wynn nominated me for the Northeastern University Torch Scholars Program and accompanied me to Boston for the Interview Weekend. My journey as a Northeastern University ‘Torch Scholar’ as been surreal. I am so grateful to the Florence County School District 3 College Planning Cohort Program and Ms. Yvonne Scott, the Director of College and Career Readiness. I have now received my BS in Political Science [debt free] and I am a Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Graduate Fellow at Northeastern University.Damian [SC], Northeastern University Torch Scholar
Mr. Wynn, I could have never imagined that you and Ms. Nina's guidance when I was a third-grader would result in 6 full college scholarships (Amherst, Duke, Princeton, Vanderbilt, Washington & Lee, and Williams) upon my graduation from high school. Like myself, many of the students at my high school had never heard of Williams College (or the full scholarship opportunity). Even more amazing was how Ms. Nina encouraged me to pursue graduate school fellowships, which I have received to support my journey as a PhD student in math at Iowa State University. [BA Math and Chemistry]Kimberly [GA], Williams College
I joined the cohort in the 9th grade. Working through the online curriculum and presenting my college plan in our monthly discussion group with Rev. Dr. Yolanda Davis guided my pathway step-by-step in developing my 4-year course schedule, summer programs, and building my leadership and community service profiles in a way that made me stand out in the college admissions process. The proof is in my admission to Brown and selection as a 2023 Jack Kent Cooke College Scholar!Omar [GA], Brown University
In the 10th grade, when I joined the cohort, I did not know anything about colleges beyond South Carolina. As the valedictorian of my high school class and first in my family to attend college, I had no idea that I needed a body of work beyond academics to get into top colleges or being awarded a full scholarship. I will be forever grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Wynn, and my discussion group leader, Rev. Dr. Yolanda Davis, who guided me on an amazing journey through the Yale Young Global Scholars Program, fly-in programs, being selected as a QuestBridge College Prep Scholar, and into a full scholarship as only the 2nd student in the history of my school district to be offered admission to Williams.Jayla [SC], Williams College
During my mid-year assessment as a high school junior, Mr. and Mrs. Wynn pointed out all of my weaknesses in leadership and service and guided me in developing a plan beyond being a top academic student. The plan worked! I was offered admission to my top college choice—Georgia Tech—and received a full scholarship as a Georgia Tech Gold Scholar, an honor only offered to the top 2% of entering freshmen, who demonstrate scholarship, leadership, and service. Mr. and Mrs. Wynn are experts. Their expertise helped me to see beyond grades and test scores to the intangibles of college admissions.Justin [GA], Georgia Tech Gold Scholar
Mr. and Mrs. Wynn, words cannot express how grateful I am for all of your guidance and support through each step of the college planning process. As a first generation student from Viet Nam, with non-English speaking parents, I do not know what I would have done. I had 3 full college scholarship opportunities (Elon, UNC-Greeensboro Honors College, NC-Chapel Hill). Not only did your suggestion that I accept the Elon Odyssey Scholarship result in an extraordinary experience, I have received a dual degree BS/MS in Accounting.Yuzu [NC], Elon University Odyssey Scholar
Mr. and Mrs. Wynn have been a part of my journey since the 8th grade. They guided my pathway throughout high school and into a full scholarship at Georgia Tech as a Clark Scholar. They have continued to support my journey with prayer and insight into learning strategies and study skills to help me through my biomedical engineering program. They are like my second parents.Tyra [GA], Georgia Tech Clark Scholar
Receiving my BA in English from Amherst College landed me a job writing and designing online curricula for several Ivy League universities. However, receiving my certification as a college admissions counselor, supporting the college-bound aspirations of first generation students, and being part of their journey into previously unimaginable spaces and places, and serving as my dad's editor has been my most fulfilling work .Mychal-David Wynn [GA], Amherst College
I am so grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Wynn. As first generation Vietnamese immigrants, my parents could not offer any college planning guidance, but Mr. and Mrs. Wynn were there to guide me every step of the way and introduce me to the QuestBridge Program, fly-in programs (UPenn, Caltech, and Dartmouth), and help me write essays that told my story. While a top academic student, their guidance helped me to stand out as a leader. Now, being on a full scholarship to Caltech is like a dream. Tuyen [FL], Caltech QuestBridge Scholar
As the first in my family to attend college and receiving no college-planning guidance whatsoever at my school, I was lost. I had no idea how I would pay for college and assumed that student loans were inevitable. Then my Godmother introduced me to Mr. and Mrs. Wynn and the rest is history as I am now attending Vassar on a full scholarship.Tiffany [PA], Vassar
Oh My God! I can’t believe it. Due to problems at my school, I missed the QuestBridge deadline and was devastated. However, Mr. and Mrs. Wynn pulled me together and kept me focused on developing a solid college list and game plan. They helped me with my Common Application and UChicago Supplemental essays, guided me in strengthening my academic résumé, reviewed my Common Application, and supported me in developing the strongest possible application for UChicago. They assured me that Early Decision was my best chance of being offered admission and that I UChicago would offer me a full scholarship if I could get in. Everything worked exactly as they said it would—this is surreal! Sydney [FL], University of Chicago Odyssey Scholar
expanding college access for ALL students
what will be your college and scholarship story?
Parents and students tell our story
- Small Group DiscussionsMonthly Virtual SessionsOwning the Process
- Sydney S.St. Petersburg High School (FL)Full Scholarship - University of Chicago
- Sam and LorenWalton and Pope High Schools (GA)Full Scholarships - UMBC and Williams College
- Brenna K.Greensboro Middle College High School (NC)Full Scholarship - Amherst College
- Kristen S.Southwest Guilford High School (NC)Richmond Scholar - University of Richmond
- Group InterviewGuilford County Schools JuniorsHigh School Juniors
- Damian L.Lake City High School (SC)Full Scholarship - Northeastern Torch Scholar
- Student TestimonialsGuilford County Schools (NC)Students Share Their Experiences
- Student Success StoriesLake City High School (SC)Many Full Scholarships
- The TwinsGuilford County Schools CohortGuilford Technical Community College
- Aleah B.Guilford County Schools CohortWinston-Salem State, Nursing
- The Corridor of ShameWhy the Lake City Success Stories are So SignificantMoving from pitying to informing
Ready to follow your dreams? Let’s get started.
College Planning Cohorts
Develop strategies to help maximize the K–12 experience.
College Planning Boot Camps
Preparing students for transitions
Speaking and Training
Motivating, Inspiring, and Informing
Books and Materials
Teaching, Parenting, College Planning