On Saturday, April 11th, The Education Foundation of Collier County – Champions For Learning inducted 68 new students into its College and Career Prep Programs. These 68 students are current eighth graders from 11 Collier County middle schools and will receive support and guidance from the Champions For Learning team and a Champions For Learning volunteer mentor throughout their high school years to help prepare them for post-secondary education like college or technical education. This year’s cohort reflects a significant milestone for the organization, which has doubled the number of students admitted into its programs and now has the capacity to serve up to 470 students annually.
During the Induction Ceremony, held at the Bower Chapel at Moorings Park, the newly inducted students joined their parents, volunteer mentors, and Champions For Learning staff to formally commit to the program. Featured speaker and program alumna Lindsay Lydon shared how Champions For Learning shaped her academic path, ultimately leading to a bachelor’s degree from Florida Gulf Coast University and a career in marketing.
Champions For Learning’s College and Career Prep Programs guide students in grades 8–12 who come from households classified as low income towards high school graduation and post-secondary education. Beginning in eighth grade, students benefit from positive mentorship, foundational workshops, and life-skills development. Beginning in eleventh grade, students participate in more hands-on sessions focused on college access, financial aid, and technical training. While this expansion marks an important milestone for Champions For Learning, the need remains significant, with many students across Collier County still seeking access to mentorship, guidance, and support for post-secondary success.
To expand its reach to students in need, Champions For Learning launched a new program track, Pathways to Success, alongside its longstanding Take Stock in Children Program. Take Stock in Children is a statewide mentoring and scholarship program in which students enroll in eighth grade, while Pathways to Success allows students to join in either eighth or tenth grade. With the addition of the new track, the number of eighth grade students enrolled has doubled compared to 2025.
“What’s driving this expansion is something we can’t ignore. Across our community, there are still too many students trying to navigate pathways to success after high school without the guidance they need,” says Dr. Eric Williams, Champions For Learning’s President and CEO. “That unmet need is real, and it should unsettle us. Expanding our programs is an important step toward addressing, but it is only a beginning.”