National Partnership for Educational Access NPEA

History About Us NPEA was formed to meet a need for collaboration identified by a growing number of programs committed to expanding educational opportunities for traditionally underrepresented students at college preparatory schools across the United States. Over time, NPEA has grown to have a diverse and broad membership of programs and schools from across the country supporting underrepresented students on the path to and through college and beyond. NPEA Timeline Fall 2005: John Klingenstein from The Esther A. & Joseph Klingenstein Fund approaches Mike Danziger, founder of The Steppingstone Foundation, with the idea for a network of similar mission-driven organizations. Winter 2005: TSF solicits feedback from similar school placement organizations and holds a reception during the 2006 National Association for Independent Schools annual conference in Boston. March 2006: A reception called Ready.Set.Connect. is held. 75 senior leaders and board members representing 25 organizations attend. Governor Deval Patrick, then gubernatorial candidate, provides keynote. Summer 2006: TSF continues to solicit feedback on the coalition idea from potential members and gathers information at a regional roundtable hosted by New Jersey SEEDS, and a separate Summit held at Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford, CT. Fall 2007: TSF receives support from The Goldman Sachs Foundation and continued support from The Esther A. & Joseph Klingenstein Fund to research, design and launch a national coalition. Fall 2007: NPEA Planning Council is formed. Fall 2007: NPEA is launched at the 2nd annual Ready.Set.Connect. reception during the People of Color Conference in Boston. Winter 2007: Executive Director begins. Original Planning Council Rhonda Auguste, Executive Director, The Wight Foundation, NJ Cammy Dubie, Former Co-Director, The Aspire Program at Hathaway Brown School, OH Steve Filosa, Director, Prep@Pingree, MA Jennifer Goldsmith, Former Consultant, MA Tasha Green, Former Executive Director, IL Danielle Heard, Former Executive Vice President of Programs and Operations, The Steppingstone Foundation, Boston, MA Natalie Herring, Former Executive Director, REACH Prep, CT Andy Hoge, Vice President, Admissions & Placement, New Jersey SEEDS, NJ M. Scott Knox, Former Vice President of National Expansion, The Steppingstone Foundation, MA Colin Lord, Former Associate Director of Admission, Choate Rosemary Hall, CT Calvin Lyons, Former Executive Director, Rainier Scholars, WA Original Planning Advisors Richard Barter, Consultant, The Esther A. & Joseph Klingenstein Fund, NY Pat Bassett, Former President, National Association of Independent Schools, DC Gene Batiste, Vice President, Leadership Education and Diversity Team, National Association of Independent Schools, DC Steve Clem, Former Executive Director, Association of Independent Schools in New England, MA Bob Sandoe, Co-Founder, Carney, Sandoe & Associates, MA Jay Sherwin, Vice President of Programs, The College Access Foundation of California, CA Meade Thayer, Executive Director, Pacific and Northwest Association of Independent Schools, WA Founding Members The Wight Foundation, Newark, NJ The Aspire Program at Hathaway Brown School, Shaker Heights, OH Prep@Pingree, Hamilton, MA High Jump, Chicago, IL REACH Prep, Stamford, CT The Steppingstone Foundation, Boston, MA New Jersey SEEDS, Inc., Newark, NJ Rainier Scholars, Seattle, WA