The College Summit Experience through the Eyes of Our Volunteers:
College Summit volunteers come from a variety of industries and professions: attorneys, accountants, educators, business and nonprofit leaders, authors, clergy, journalists, engineers, restaurateurs, among many others. These individuals come together to join a team of caring adults to help students succeed in education, life, and their careers. Cheryl Davis, who has been a volunteer writing coach for several years, talks about her first experience at a workshop, “I was amazed at how smoothly volunteers from various backgrounds and locations were integrated into a seamless team.”

Volunteers tell us that something happens at a workshop, something unexpected. They begin the experience with the hope that they will encourage and support students at the workshop. What they don’t expect, however, is that they are given encouragement and support from staff, fellow volunteers, and students. Volunteers share with us that they are changed in the four days, just as students are. Rich Hopkins, a volunteer with College Summit for many years shares, “You will experience the most rewarding, challenging, four days of personal growth in your lifetime.” 

We’ve asked some of our veteran volunteers to share their volunteer experiences with you. We hope that this provides you some insight into the power of the workshop and the amazing things that can be accomplished in only four days…

• “If you have a desire to help young people and shape their future, this is the place for you. There is nothing you could do to have more impact and is more rewarding than volunteering through College Summit.” Rachelle Beckner
• “As a Writing Coach, I have found College Summit to be the most intensive volunteer experience for me – but also the most rewarding! The after effects to my spirit and memory stay with me for years, and I keep coming back. I can truly say that College Summit gives me hope in humanity and our future.”  Peggy Pings
• “No other organization empowers, encourages, and prepares high school students to succeed with their college education like College Summit. The workshop was an amazing experience! I saw students transition into Peer Leaders and know they will carry this experience with them…. I am proud to know my part of College Summit will help a student achieve the dream of a college education.”  Libby Salyers
• “As students get immersed in this, they realize education is the key to opportunity and they also understand that they control their own destinies.  It is not the circumstances that define them, but rather their perseverance and determination.” James Owrey
• “College Summit is an inspiring organization for both [volunteers] and students and provides students with a better understanding of themselves as well as tools needed to make life dreams come true.”  Ali Johnson
• “The College Summit workshop really gives these kids an opportunity to know that people care about them and about their success and are willing to help them work toward it.”  Carolyn Wade
• “The rigor and discipline of the training, coaching, and the schedule create opportunity for breakthrough results in a short time.”  Dorothea Malsbary
• “You have no idea of the impact you could have on a young person. You can change their path, their mind, their life!”   Jennifer Igo
• “Volunteering gives you the opportunity to help young people realize their potential for achievement, and allows you to see the very best in every one of the young people you work with.”  Cathy Willoughby