As we celebrate the bounty of fall, we also look back with gratitude on the brilliant students that make the Student U community such an empowering, joyful place. We want to introduce you to just two of hundreds of inspiring Student U students from this year. Watch the video above to learn more about Elliot’s and Taryn’s stories.

Are you willing to invest in students like Elliott and Taryn? Your financial contribution will go directly toward helping hundreds of students like them find their unique paths to success. 

Your generosity makes this work possible.

Meet Two Of Our Leaders Transforming Our City

Elliot

I’m Elliott, an 11th grader at Student U. I want to be an aerospace engineer and use science to solve problems. I come from a family that hasn’t had a lot of resources, and I will eventually be a first-generation college student. I also have a little brother, so I hope to make it through the process-and I know I will with Student U helping me. I hope to inspire my brother to also make it through college. That might not change the world, but it will change my immediate world. 

Taryn

I’m Taryn! I have been at Student U since I was a rising 6th grader and I’m now in 10th grade. Student U has already helped me so much by educating me… on things that I didn’t know. When I first came to Student U, I was in all the regular classes. Because of Student U, I got into a higher math class, which has continued until now, and I am learning so much. Student U has definitely helped me find more confidence in myself… The teachers are just so supportive in helping me find confidence and discovering my inner abilities. Last summer, I learned a lot about myself and my identity through my Black Studies class here at Student U. It’s helped me answer a lot of questions, and now that I know more about myself and my people and where we come from, I’m better able to educate other people about race and the Black identity and dismantle stereotypes.