Paving the Way: Pivotal Scholars Explore De Anza College

For many of our scholars, stepping onto a college campus brings higher education one step closer to reality.  In April, De Anza College’s NextUp program hosted an immersive, on-campus experience, and six of our high school scholars visited the campus to learn about the opportunities available to them. The NextUp program is a dedicated support initiative for students from foster care. 

Pivotal’s Post-Secondary Coach Sarah Gentle, who serves students at De Anza, welcomed scholars along with De Anza staff members Flora Payne and Cindy Montoya. The day was thoughtfully designed to introduce scholars to the wealth of resources and support available to them at De Anza, from academic advising to financial aid, career counseling, and the robust services offered through NextUp. 

The visit included a campus tour led by Flora, during which scholars got a firsthand look at classrooms, student centers, and campus facilities. After the tour, everyone gathered for lunch and received De Anza swag bags filled with helpful information and fun take-home items. 

Experiences like these are more than just informational; they’re empowering. They help scholars picture themselves in a college environment, ask questions, and build confidence as they take steps toward their educational and career goals. 

We’re incredibly grateful to the staff at De Anza College and the NextUp team for their warmth, hospitality, and ongoing partnership. Special thanks to Flora and Cindy for making the day both informative and welcoming!