
At UNP’s Hartland Spring Festival, Jeilani met Professor Marisa Diener. She was looking for someone just like him to be her teaching assistant. The two ran a community-engaged access program at Hartland. Jeilani went on to become a Student Success Advocate at the U. He continues to partner with UNP, including as the co-founder of Youth Voices, which engages teens in participatory research.
Educational opportunities are critical for individuals to grow as people and professionals, reach their goals, and contribute to their communities. There is no one-size-fits-all educational pipeline — each person’s path is different. So, UNP and our partners work to increase access to educational opportunities that are diverse, culturally responsive, equitable, and transformative.
Education Pathways partnerships bring together west side students, families, educators, policymakers, community organizations, and higher ed partners around the shared goal of improving education for all. Current partnerships address a range of goals, including:
- Family-School Partnerships focused on school improvement and student growth
- A Diverse Educator Workforce with strong community connections
- Positive School Cultures that are welcoming to families and promote pathways to higher education
- Culturally-Sustaining Education in our schools and other community hubs
- Youth Leaders who can effectively define and address community priorities
- Adult Education Pathways that are accessible, flexible, and community-centered
See below for examples of active UNP-supported partnerships.