Welcome to College Summit

For Students & Alumni

Peer Leader Jessica Solomon, George Washington University 1995, Western High School (Baltimore City).

Determined. Fiercely committed to excellence. Strategic thinker. This is how Jessica’s friends and colleagues describe her.

Jessica attended the George Washington University Workshop in 1999, as a peer leader from Western High School in Baltimore, MD. Initially a bit apprehensive, she described herself as being “like a fish out of water” at the workshop. As the only student from her high school on her very first visit to a college campus Jessica was completely out of her comfort zone. Nonetheless, Jessica said that she “knew it was worth it” because her “future was at stake.”

Jessica went on to attend the University of Maryland-College Park where she majored in Communications and African American studies. While at Maryland, Jessica was very active on campus as a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated, and president of Maryland’s NAACP chapter. 

Jessica’s accomplishments include building houses on a missions trip in the Dominican Republic, launching the Community Development Fellowship for College Summit, and returning to school (while still working at the College Summit National office) to get her M.A. in Organizational Development at Trinity University. However, when asked what her greatest accomplishment is Jessica responded, “I am most proud of the fact that I can clearly see the difference between what my mom was able to provide for me and what I’ll be able to provide for my children because I went to college.”

Peer Leader Maurice Penn, Goucher College 2005, Crossland High School (Prince George’s County).

Maurice was not even thinking about going to college before attending the Goucher College workshop in the summer of 2005.  After his workshop experience, Maurice became an exemplary leader in his school – staying after class to help out his classmates with their college essays, leading tours of Crossland High for representatives from local colleges, helping to recruit future Peer Leaders and staying after school to participate in College Summit events.  The opportunity to become a peer leader in his school allowed Maurice to break out.  The program gave him a platform and the many opportunities to use his ample charisma and leadership skills to motivate his peers during the college application process.  In the fall of 2006, Maurice will be attending Johnson & Wales University.

Peer Leader Nia McLean, George Washington University 1997, Woodrow

“I plan on traveling overseas, going to graduate school to study African American Literature and eventually opening a bookstore that also functions as a community resource center, and small press.” At first glance these goals seem rather daunting. However, when one realizes that Nia Mclean is the ambitious lady behind them, they all seem to be well within reach.

Nia attended the George Washington University Workshop in 1997 as a Peer Leader from Woodrow Wilson High School in our National Capital Region of Washington, DC. Upon graduating, she chose to remain local and attend Howard University. At Howard Nia pursued a major in journalism and was a staff writer for the Hilltop, Howard’s mainstream campus publication. After graduation Nia went to work for the well-known John Wiley and Sons publishing company in New York City.

Nia has recently returned to Washington DC, and serves as a Program Services Fellow in College Summit’s National Office. We are also proud to announce that Nia became a certified Rap Director this past summer. Nia’s experience and ambition will surely carry her far.

Peer Leader Natasha Ryals, Goucher College 2005, Laurel High School (Prince George’s County).

Although Natasha knew she was going to college before attending the Goucher College workshop in 2005, her place as a Peer Leader at school allowed her to access the valuable resources she needed to get to college.  Natasha took the role of the Peer Leader to a higher level – presenting newspaper clippings on financial aid options to her classmates, helping her friends and classmates with their applications and speaking at school-wide events about the benefits of a college education.  Natasha has continued to serve as a community leader after graduation.  She has served as an alumni leader at multiple summer workshops providing a much-needed positive example for her peers. 

Peer Leader Brenda Cleveland, Washington College 2005, Friendship Edison High School (Washington, DC).

Brenda’s parents never went to college and when it came time to submit her applications Brenda found herself without support or guidance during the often-complex college application process.  During the school year Brenda became a “voice for College Summit within her school” and embraced the role of Peer Leader to the fullest extent.  Since her high school graduation Brenda has stayed active in the College Summit community – serving as an alumni leader to motivate and inspire other students with similar obstacles to their success.  Next year, Brenda will be attending the University of the District of Columbia.  There she plans to earn her Associate’s Degree and then continue her studies towards a Bachelor’s Degree at a local college.