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Pleasantville, N.J. – ������Ƶ spent the past school year bringing the college admissions process directly to Pleasantville High School, a pilot initiative that helped boost applications, enrollment and college access for local students.

������Ƶ admissions counselors Grace Hind and Michelle Puerta built lasting relationships with students, spending every Thursday in a dedicated office at the high school answering questions about everything from the application process to scholarships and aid. Hind even admitted 24 students during one very busy Instant Decision Day last spring.

“We saw an area that is close to campus with students who were hungry for information,” Hind said of the decision to test out embedding a ������Ƶ admissions counselor at the high school.

And the model is working. ������Ƶ saw a 78% increase in applications over the previous year and a 57% increase in deposits for the fall semester from Pleasantville High School (PHS).

Among those who will attend ������Ƶ are six of the Top 10 Pleasantville 2026 graduates including Ja’vira Blake, Rabi Moya-Luna, Ema Ortiz-Antonio, Marlet Cruz-Diaz, Jeremiah Wright and Rudilania Cruz-Carrasco.

Due to the success of the partnership with Pleasantville, the university is considering similar models at other regional high schools, Hind said.

“Our regular presence made it less scary for students to ask questions. They knew our faces and that they had someone who genuinely cared who would be there consistently,” she said.

Their guidance had a significant impact on Blake’s decision to attend ������Ƶ.

“They introduced me to different opportunities that I could apply for, they helped me navigate through the application process, and they were always giving me advice. Without their support, I wouldn't have known what ������Ƶ has to offer,” Blake, the class valedictorian, said.

Puerta noted the students could have gone anywhere, but they chose to stay in the community.

“These visits allowed us to connect with students and help them overcome challenges throughout the admissions process,” Puerta '15 said. “As an Educational Opportunity Fund alumna, I was able to share my own experience and reassure students that ������Ƶ is a supportive place where they can succeed.”

“As a first-generation student, attending ������Ƶ is more than just the next step in my education. It's the beginning of a new chapter for my family,” said Blake, who plans to pursue a degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. “I hope my journey encourages other students, especially those who may be unsure about college, to take chances and believe in themselves.” 

Pleasantville guidance counselor Annalysa Coleman, a 2011 ������Ƶ graduate and EOF alumna, said ������Ƶ’s presence in the school is inspiring more students to consider college.

“Many students think college is not possible financially, but we work together to find opportunities to make it work,” she said, noting these students also earned their associate degrees while in high school through the Early College program with Atlantic Cape Community College. “������Ƶ is so supportive of our students and students are buying into that.”

Wright said the personal connection is what made him choose ������Ƶ.

“I met with (Hind) and (Puerta) every time they visited my school, and they had a huge impact on my decision. Before getting to know them, ������Ƶ was actually at the bottom of my college list. They took the time to answer my questions, put things into perspective, and helped me realize that ������Ƶ was the best fit for me both academically and personally,” said Wright, who will major in Psychology.

Weekly access to counselors eased anxiety about financial aid and applications for first-generation students like Cruz-Diaz and Ortiz-Antonio.

“The process of applying, housing and money are all things that I worried about when deciding on which school I wanted to commit to. The ������Ƶ counselors were there to support and guide me through the process making it less stressful,” Cruz-Diaz, a Psychology major, said.

Ortiz-Antonio, who will major in Health Science, also credits her parents for their support.

“As a first-generation student all my achievements go to them. I can’t wait to show them that their sacrifices didn’t go unnoticed,” she said.

The regular visits from ������Ƶ's Admissions counselors complemented the existing partnership the university has with Pleasantville for GOALS GEAR UP, which serves students in grades 7-12 in the district. The program provides participants with a solid foundation to create a school-to-college pipeline designed to empower and equip students with skills and academic ability to successfully complete postsecondary programs leading to careers in fields in which persons from minority and/or disadvantaged backgrounds are underrepresented. 

--Story by Stacey Clapp; Photo by Abbigail Erbacher