Foundation for a College Education Programs

Foundation for a College Education Programs works with students and their families in a comprehensive program that supports students of color, most of whom will be the first in their families to attend and graduate from a four-year college or university. Students join Foundation for a College Education Programs as early as high school and stay involved through their college graduation. Volunteers participate in the program as tutors, mentors, and college advisors, and families take part in a parent education program to learn to advocate for their children, use school resources, and navigate the college admissions and completion process. Foundation for a College Education Programs works with small cohorts of approximately 20–25 students per grade.

• Ages: 14–18 years old

Foundation for a College Education’s mission is to increase the number of first-generation, low-income students of color from East Palo Alto and similar communities who graduate from a four-year college or university. Most of the staff are the first in their families to attend college. The leadership team includes Elizabeth Wells (Executive Director); Asra Hussain, MA (Director of Programs); Whitney La (Program Manager, College Success); Tiana Washington (Office Manager); Deepti Saroha (Program Manager, College Bound); Amrita Deo, MA (Program Manager, College Bound); and Kierra Jackson (Program Manager, College Bound). Foundation for a College Education has a Platinum rating from Candid. The organization is part of many community partnerships that add to the services and opportunities offered to students and families. FCE provides a nurturing community where students and families know that they are welcome and that staff and volunteers believe in their success.

Last updated July 2, 2026.