HELPING MORE STUDENTS STAY, SUCCEED & GRADUATE
ElevateHER Students: College Prep Academy™
Dream it - Plan It - Own It
ElevateHER Students: College Prep Academy™ partners with high schools, colleges, universities, and other educational entities to fill critical gaps in college readiness, college transition, student success, and retention through research-based approaches.
Bridging the Gap from High School to College Success
School districts and colleges already provide valuable resources. But some students—especially first-generation students and those who need additional support—benefit from more consistent coaching, accountability, and practical guidance. We do not replace existing programs. We help extend their reach by taking the time to research and understand student success and retention gaps in the context of each institution’s history, culture, and context.
Partnerships for School Districts
Some students need more intentional preparation and support to successfully move from high school graduation to college enrollment and college readiness.
ElevateHER Students uses a research-informed approach to identify gaps in preparation, communication, family engagement, follow-up, and postsecondary transition. Partnerships may also include an assessment of district systems, policies, procedures, and student-support practices that influence college readiness and student follow-through.
Based on identified needs, support may include:
College readiness programming
Individual and small-group coaching
First-generation student preparation
Senior-year and summer transition support
College expectations, accountability, and self-advocacy
Parent and family programming
Workshops and keynote presentations
Research-informed program recommendations
Assessment of systems, policies, procedures, and follow-up practices
We work alongside counselors, administrators, teachers, college and career teams, TRIO programs, and community partners to strengthen existing efforts and better prepare students for what comes after graduation.
We identify gaps. We strengthen readiness. We extend capacity. We help students move beyond graduation.
Partnerships for Colleges, Universities & Other Educational Entities
Some students need more frequent, personalized support than colleges and universities can always provide at scale.
ElevateHER Students uses a research-informed approach to identify the root causes of student-success and retention challenges. Partnerships may also include an assessment of current systems, policies, procedures, follow-up practices, and student touchpoints that may influence persistence, connection, and access to support.
Based on identified needs, support may include:
One-on-one and group coaching
First-generation student support
Academic accountability and recovery coaching
Student-success workshops and keynotes
Freshman-to-sophomore transition support
Research-informed program recommendations
Assessment of student-support systems, policies, and procedures
We work alongside advisors, faculty, TRIO programs, First-Year Experience teams, and student-success professionals to strengthen existing efforts, improve student follow-through, and connect students to the resources already available on campus.
We identify gaps. We strengthen systems. We extend capacity. We help students persist.
The Importance of Our Program
Empowering Students for College Success
As part of participating ElevateHER Students partnerships:
TWO STUDENTS WILL RECEIVE $2,500 SCHOLARSHIPS
That represents $5,000 in direct scholarship support for selected students.
Because academic preparation matters—but financial challenges can also affect whether a student persists.
WHY DR. LORETTA SHIELDS?
Dr. Loretta Shields is a first-generation college graduate, educator, academic coach, researcher, and ministry leader committed to helping students get to college and succeed once they arrive. With more than 15 years of experience as a teaching and research professor and 20+ years as an academic coach, she brings a research-informed approach to college readiness, student success, and retention.
She holds doctorates in Public Health and Pastoral Counseling and helps students strengthen academic habits, navigate challenges, make wise decisions, and prepare for their futures. Her work also includes helping institutions identify gaps in systems, policies, communication, and student-support processes that may affect persistence and retention.
Through ElevateHER Students, Dr. Shields equips and encourages students with practical tools for success, resilience, responsibility, and personal growth. Her work is grounded in one belief: “A student’s future should never be limited by what they didn’t know before college.”
Student Presentations & Workshops
Doing College with a Plan
Saying Yes to College: Because I Want More for Me
The Hidden Curriculum: What Nobody Told You About College Success
The First 90 Days: Your Freshman Success Playbook
When Life Happens: The Academic Comeback Plan
First-Generation College Student: You’re Not Alone
AI, Academics & Integrity: Use It Without Letting It Use You
Faculty & Administration Presentations & Workshops
Your Wods Matter: Speaking Life Every Chance You Get
Beyond the Retention Rate: Finding the Root Causes Behind Why Students Leave
From Policy to Persistence: How Systems, Policies & Procedures Impact Student Success
The Hidden Curriculum We Expect Students to Know: Rethinking Support for First-Generation Students
Faculty as a Retention Strategy: Small Interactions That Strengthen Belonging, Engagement & Persistence
Research-Informed Retention: Using Data, Student Experience & Institutional Assessment to Strengthen Outcomes
LET’S FILL THE GAP.
Whether your goal is to help students prepare for college, successfully transition, improve academically, or persist toward graduation, ElevateHER Students can provide an additional layer of support.
Let’s build a customized partnership around the needs of your students.
Reach out to us using the form below.