Springbrook High School is a 2024 American College Application Campaign School of Excellence recipient and a participant of the Maryland Post-Secondary Success Campaign
As the college and career navigator at Springbrook High School, I knew my mission was to help students realize their potential and pave a pathway toward their dreams. Over the years, I’ve seen firsthand how talented and ambitious our students are. Yet, I’ve also noticed a recurring challenge — too many lacked exposure to the resources, networks, and opportunities they needed to take those crucial first steps toward college and career success.
The spark that started it all
Sixteen years ago, we organized a simple college visit at our school campus. The concept was straightforward: bring representatives from local universities to speak with our students. What we witnessed that day exceeded all expectations. Students, many of whom had never interacted one-on-one with a college representative, were captivated. They eagerly asked questions, flipped through brochures, and for the first time began imagining themselves stepping onto a college campus.
That initial event proved one thing to me: it’s not that our students lacked ambition, but rather guidance and exposure to understand how to turn their aspirations into reality. From that moment, I knew that to make a real difference, we needed to bring the tools, connections, and conversations directly to our students. And so, our first American College Application Campaign event was born.
Access to resources is key to opening doors
The goal of our college application campaign is simple but profound: to equip students with the resources and confidence to take the next step into their future. Over the years, we’ve expanded to a comprehensive series of events, including college fairs, essay-writing workshops, application help sessions, and financial aid seminars. These events are carefully designed to empower students to envision a future beyond high school.
By hosting these events during the school day, we make the process accessible and inclusive. Students don’t have to find transportation, juggle after-school commitments, or worry about navigating unfamiliar spaces. It’s become a cornerstone of our culture — empowering students to see what’s next and giving them the tools to take that first step confidently.
Many have told us they felt “seen” and supported in a way they hadn’t before, and it’s not uncommon to hear someone say, “Now I can actually picture myself in college.”
Building futures, one conversation at a time
What I love most about these events is how they open doors not just figuratively, but literally. I’ve seen students leave our events with a newfound sense of purpose and determination.
For some, these events plant the first seed of imagining life beyond high school. For others, they solidify plans and clarify the next steps. Our students leave with information and the belief that they can succeed. That belief is everything; it’s the foundation upon which they build their futures.
The ripple effect
Hosting these events isn’t just about connecting students to opportunities; it’s about creating a culture of belief and ambition in our school community. These conversations don’t stop at the event itself. Students go home and talk to their families, share what they’ve learned, and begin conversations about their future.
Parents, especially those with aspiring first-generation college students, often reach out, grateful for the resources and guidance their kids are receiving. Events like in-person parent information nights, free college admission interviews, financial aid workshops, and college application support workshops have helped demystify a process that can often feel overwhelming.
The impact spills over into the larger school community as well. Teachers, counselors, and administrators see the confidence these events inspire in their students, and many of them have become passionate advocates for our college and career readiness programs. It’s a ripple effect that starts with a spark of belief and grows into a culture of possibility.
Success we can see
We’ve seen a truly meaningful and energizing increase in college application rates and overall college readiness at Springbrook H.S. Through engaging college and career events, ongoing college application help sessions, and vibrant schoolwide initiatives like “College Application Week,” we’ve created a welcoming culture where students — especially our first-generation college applicants — feel seen, supported, and inspired to take that next big step. These events provide personalized support, a safe space to ask questions, and hands-on help navigating what can sometimes feel like an overwhelming process.
From 2023 to 2025, we saw a 32% increase in college application submissions. That’s more than just a statistic; it reflects our students’ hard work, growing confidence, and the impact of community collaboration. Many students also participated in on-the-spot admission opportunities during college visits, leaving with both acceptance letters and a new sense of possibility.
Looking ahead
Sixteen years in, I still feel the same sense of excitement as I did at that first American College Application Campaign event. Watching students walk into a room unsure of what to expect, and walking out with a plan, a goal, or even just the beginning of a dream; it’s what keeps me going.
My hope for the future is to continue expanding these opportunities for all our students. Whether through more partnerships with local colleges, additional workshops on career readiness, or innovations in how we connect students to resources, I want every student who walks through our doors to feel supported, seen, and prepared for whatever comes next.
Every student deserves the chance to pursue college in their future. To find ideas, resources, and inspiration for hosting events at your school, visit the American College Application Campaign website. Then, take the first step in inspiring students on your social media accounts this fall by joining in the celebration of ACAC’s #WhyApply Day on September 19, and throughout the year as you continue to host these important college application events.