Breaking Barriers: Real Success Stories

Real Success Stories

Breaking Barriers personal narratives feature individuals who share some common traits; they are successful education and community leaders who—despite social, financial, and personal challenges—enrolled in and graduated from college. In these personal stories, the authors share their experiences of how policies, practices, and people helped them reach their educational and personal goals. New stories will be added regularly.

These real success stories introduce you to people who broke through barriers. We encourage you to read their stories and to explore the CollegeKeys Compact™, a comprehensive initiative that centers on helping students of low-income backgrounds get ready for, get into, and graduate from college.

• James Lyons - Secretary of Higher Education, Maryland
• Shirley Ort - Student Aid, UNC Chapel Hill
• Gene Budig - University President
• Eduardo Padrón - President, Miami Dade College

Photographs that accompany the Breaking Barriers stories were taken by students and alumni from College Board member institutions.