About Reach Higher: A Michelle Obama Initiative

Our

Mission

Reach Higher, started by former First Lady Michelle Obama during her time at the White House, works to inspire every student in America to take charge of their future by completing their education past high school, whether at a professional training program, a community college, or a four-year college or university.

In today’s economy, a high school diploma just isn’t enough. Students have to reach higher, which is why Reach Higher is working to rally the country so that America will once again have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world.

The

Challenge

Today, to achieve the “American Dream” more students must complete their education past high school. Not only do three-quarters of the jobs in the 21st century require education and training beyond a high school diploma, but the average worker with a bachelor’s degree will earn approximately $1 million more than a worker who only has a high school diploma over the course of a lifetime. A generation ago, the United States led the world in college completion. Today, we’re 13th, and falling behind in the race to educate our children to be competitive in today’s global economy.

Our Theory

of Change:

Since 2014, Reach Higher has worked to build a college-going movement and inspire more first-generation and low-income students to continue their education past high school and obtain a postsecondary degree. We do this by:

Exposing students to college and career opportunities
Understanding financial aid eligibility that can make college affordability a reality
Using social media to reach young people where they are and build a college-going culture
Supporting high school counselors who can help more kids get into college

Our

Team

Meet the Reach Higher team!

Eric Waldo

Executive Director

Don Yu

Chief Operating Officer

Stephanie Sprow Owens

Director of Programs

Angela Cammack

Director of Development

Merone Hailemeskel

Director of Communications

Josh Nudelman

Special Assistant

Advisory

Board

The Reach Higher Advisory Board brings together educational luminaries and leaders to share best practices and ideas to support our work to increase college access and completion rates in the United States. Mrs. Obama serves as our Board Chair.