Elena Maina Named Executive Director of Student U
June 5, 2025
Student U is a nonprofit dedicated to creating a more equitable education system, so that every student in Durham can succeed.
Everyone deserves opportunities in their educational journey that enable them to reach their full potential. Sadly, this isn’t the reality for many. Structural racism, intergenerational poverty, and other injustices create major obstacles for individuals and entire communities across the U.S., including here in Durham, N.C.
Empower and equip first-generation college students in Durham Public Schools, their families, and educators to become the leaders that will transform our city.
Student U is a nonprofit dedicated to creating a more equitable education system, so that every student in Durham can succeed.
Everyone deserves opportunities in their educational journey that enable them to reach their full potential. Sadly, this isn’t the reality for many. Structural racism, intergenerational poverty, and other injustices create major obstacles for individuals and entire communities across the U.S., including here in Durham, N.C.
Empower and equip first-generation college students in Durham Public Schools, their families, and educators to become the leaders that will transform our city.
We support students and their families inside and outside of school, helping them overcome challenges to reach college graduation. At the same time, we work to improve the public education system by sharing successful strategies with schools and educators and building a strong community at The W.G. Pearson Center, aiming for a better future for our youth.
The core of Student U’s work is our 11-year pipeline of services, walking with students and their families in out-of-school-time from 6th grade to college graduation and providing holistic wrap-around support at each step of the way. Students who stay in our programming from start to finish, have outstanding outcomes.
Each year we support
up to 500 students.
100% of our students graduate high school.
46% of our students graduate college in 6 years or less.
© 2025 Student U. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy
Help us raise $3.5 million to provide year-round academic support, mentorship, and resources that unlock our students’ full potential.
Give by the end of summer and double your impact!
Thanks to generous supporters, all gifts from new donors, returning donors, or increased 2024 donations will be matched dollar for dollar — up to $130,000.
