Dear families,

I’m reaching out to share some exciting news! Our organization, formerly known as the College Crusade of Rhode Island, has changed its name to Onward We Learn.

This new identity better aligns with our mission, vision,
and values as the state’s most comprehensive college access and success
organization. Our mission and programs will remain the same, as does our
commitment to students. The name Onward We Learn reflects our continued work to
be more inclusive and to meet students where they are, supporting them on their
journeys to be lifelong learners, successful individuals and, in many cases,
the first in their families to attend and complete college.

I want to thank those of you who participated in our
extensive eight-month process that engaged more than 125 students, staff,
alumni, parents, and community partners to arrive at our new name, Onward We
Learn.

You may have noticed the word “college” is no longer in our
name. We know many of you enrolled your children in our organization with
dreams of sending them to college, and we share that dream, too. We will
continue to recommend earning a bachelor’s degree as the most reliable path to
success for Onward We Learn students, and the vast majority – about 70% – will
pursue a traditional four-year college experience; however, many students today
are pursuing alternatives to college such as apprenticeships, certificates, and
stackable credentials, and we want to support them in that pursuit. Our
students’ journeys do not all look the same.

The most powerful word in our new name is “onward,” which
signifies mobility, trajectory, and growth. Moving forward and growing as
learners, people, and professionals is what ties our community together—from
staff to students, parents to partners.

While our name and logo look different, our commitment to
student success will never waver. We will continue to offer and improve upon
our signature one-on-one advising, academic and social-emotional programming,
college readiness, and family engagement activities that have driven our
students’ success for 32 years. We’re just getting started.

Thank you for entrusting us to be a part of your child’s journey
to college and beyond. If you have any immediate questions or feedback, please feel
free reach out to me directly at 401-519-0220 or at abramson@onwardwelearn.org.

 

Onward,

Andrew Bramson
President and CEO