The mission of the National College Access Network is to build, strengthen, and empower communities and stakeholders to close equity gaps in postsecondary attainment for all students. As NCAN embarks on a new strategic plan, and we celebrate our 25th anniversary in 2020, we asked leaders from the college access and success field what they thought it would take to really achieve equity in higher education. These 15 minutes speeches are their straightforward, candid, and motivational views of how we get across the finish line. With a year behind us that included surpassing 500 organizational members for the first time, updating and expanding our elearning course offerings, and a legislative victory in securing the next step toward FAFSA simplification for today’s students, NCAN will continue its march toward equity in 2020.

Alexandra Bernadotte, Founder and CEO, Beyond 12 

Steve Colón, CEO, Bottom Line 

Faith Sandler, Executive Director, The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis