ADBE958A-51D1-4762-9541-8C552C5779A3 Summer Pre-College Programs: Know Before You Go Guide

Introduction 

Congratulations on being accepted into a summer enrichment opportunity or pre-college fly-in program! This experience will provide you with space and encouragement to grow and learn, while also posing new challenges; we hope you feel excited and confident. As a student of color, aspects of this opportunity may not be structured to best meet your needs, and so we encourage you to lean on your TeenSHARP community and resources to ensure you achieve the learning and fulfillment that you deserve. This guide is intended to support you in making the most of this experience by preparing adequately, navigating the program with intentions and authenticity, and effectively following up and reflecting afterward. No matter how you feel before or during the program, remember that you belong in this space and should feel empowered to be your fullest self at every moment! 

 

Before the program: 

  • Do your research on the program and/or college. Find out what to expect and what you want to learn from your experience. Create a list of intentions and areas of growth—be specific! What does excellence look like for this experience, and what steps will you take to get there? Consider emailing the program organizers and asking for their thoughts on what students who have excelled in the program in the past have done. 
  • Build upon TeenSHARP’s network. Reach out to SHARPies who have gone through this experience. Do we know anyone who has attended this program or school? Schedule a meeting to hear about their experience and identify what to expect and how to prepare. 
  • Inform your parents and community about the program. Share your goals and expectations so that you have people to hold you accountable throughout the process. Encourage your parents to ask you these reflective questions afterward. 

 

During the program: 

  • Be a Connector. Prioritize building relationships with students, professors, and facilitators that you meet—this is a beautiful chance to create a meaningful community with young people from diverse backgrounds as well as potential mentors and advisors! Take steps to hold peers that you meet accountable for your intentions through the program and beyond. For example, if you and another student want to challenge yourself to ask one question every class, share this goal and check in after each opportunity to see if you are meeting your goal. 
  • Think critically. Ask questions about advice that is unclear or when a professor offers an idea that makes you curious. Don’t be afraid—be proud—to offer a different perspective! 
  • Remember your TeenSHARP community. Whether you’re struggling to open up to other students, or just want to share all that you’re learning, reach out to the TeenSHARP staff to connect. If you feel you are being treated unfairly or find yourself in an uncomfortable situation, let us know, and we will find a way to support you! Be sure to meet up with any other SHARPies and take photos to share with us! 
  • Be authentic. Try to get the most out of your experience, but make sure it is YOUR experience. Feel empowered to show up with your personality and ideas rather than following others. 

 

After the program: 

  • Reflect on what you learned from your experience. Set aside an hour to journal, record a voice memo, or make a vlog about your takeaways from the experience. What was new to you? What was surprising? What did you learn or do that you are excited to continue exploring? Who did you meet with whom you want to continue deepening your relationship? Use these questions as a guide. 
  • Be a Giver. Share your takeaways with your community! Send regular updates in the GroupMe, write a post on Facebook or LinkedIn, encourage your friends to apply and show them the ropes on how to do so!  
  • Follow up. Send a thank you email to the program coordinators, professors, peers, admission officers, and anyone else you met during your time. If you find yourself thinking about something you learned, ask to reconnect with the person who shared it and name their impact! 

Deborah Yanez

Parent Programs Manager

Deborah leads TeenSHARP’s parent empowerment work with love, conviction, and credibility. She grew up in one of America’s poorest cities (Camden, NJ), has served as an elected school board member, raised two sons who have accessed higher education successfully (one is a TeenSHARP alumnus and McCabe Scholar at Swarthmore) along with her husband, and has helped many more families prepare their children for college.

Zoha Fatima

Director of Operations & Special Projects

Zoha is driven by a deep passion for education and social justice. With over 8 years of experience in the development sector, she has made significant contributions to various education projects aimed at increasing access and equity. Zoha’s commitment to empowering learners stems from her belief that education is a fundamental right. She honed her expertise at Harvard University, earning a Master’s in Education and Technology, building upon her undergraduate studies in Public Policy.

Based in the Bay Area, Zoha loves exploring the diverse California landscape, especially through hiking. When she’s not championing educational equity, you can find her baking, hitting the trails, or enjoying the outdoor.

Sara Petty

Director of Pre-College Success

Sara Petty is TeenSHARP’s powerhouse Director of Pre-College Success, orchestrating a nationwide expansion to ensure that talented Black, Latino, and low-income students have a direct path to elite colleges. With a proven track record from her days scaling a college access program in Houston, Sara has a knack for turning educational challenges into triumphs. She thrives on transforming obstacles into opportunities and is known for her relentless drive and innovative solutions. When she’s not making waves in the world of education, you can find her brainstorming the next big idea over a cup of coffee or diving into a new book that sparks her curiosity. Sara’s mission? To make sure every student has the chance to unlock their full potential and claim their spot in the future’s top colleges.

Tamara Fentress

Chief of Staff

For over 18 years, Tamara has been a passionate advocate for educational equity, inclusion, and the overall improvement of support structures to build a solid foundation for the journey of learning. Driven by a desire to see all students and families thrive, she has successfully led major projects of varying budget sizes, while also co-creating and implementing innovative strategies at mission-driven organizations across various operational areas, from technology and project management to legal and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEIB) initiatives.

Her journey began in a large urban school district, where she spent a significant portion of her career leading the development of critical strategies that served over 86,000 students. This experience allowed her to work closely with a diverse team of over 10,000 employees, understanding and addressing needs across all levels of the organization. Her collaborative spirit extended beyond the school district, fostering strong partnerships with parent groups, community organizations, and government entities.

Tamara’s dedication to education stems from a deeply personal place. As a mother to two inspiring children, Harmony and Hudson, she sees firsthand the potential and power of having access to opportunities, caring adults, and belief in that which is greater than yourself.  This unwavering belief in the power of serving others, access, equity, and education to empower and transform lives fuels her commitment to continuous learning and creating equitable opportunities for all.

Tatiana Poladko

Co-Founder

Our “force of nature” founder came to New Jersey from Ukraine for graduate school over a decade ago and immediately put her hands to the work of community empowerment and expanding educational opportunity. She has experience managing youth programs for the UN in Ukraine (at the age of 19!), teaching at Temple University, building/managing nonprofit organizations, and supporting students to and through college. She is also a mother to three lovely kids (Zoryana, Nazariy, and Taras), plays guitar and piano, and makes amazing soups!

Atnre Alleyne

Co-Founder/CEO

As TeenSHARP’s resident historian, Atnre is quick to share stories of the organization’s humble church basement beginnings, its growing pains, and many milestones. With his background in research and evaluation, policy and advocacy, communications, technology, and instruction, he has the type of Swiss Army knife skills that are critical in a fast-paced social impact organization. He has three lovely children (Zoryana, Nazariy, and Taras), an amazing wife (TeenSHARP’s Co-Founder), and he plays bass guitar and blogs when he finds the time.