Executive Director
CurrentTo effectively address persistent achievement gaps we must identify specific factors that create “access gaps” and engage communities to address them head on. iCouldBe works to disrupt one significant access gap for low-income students: the lack of access to social, or human, capital. If this factor is not addressed, we will continue to see marginalized students excluded from opportunities to succeed academically and explore, plan for, participate and find success in post-secondary educational and career opportunities.iCouldBe is an e-mentoring program for low-income students and is focused on teaching critical relationship-building and networking skills. iCouldBe helps students build relationships that drive them to develop the strategies and skills needed to navigate high school and reach future goals. Partners align iCouldBe’s e-mentoring program to meet their goals around themes including college and career readiness, SEL, and mentoring. Students register on iCouldBe and select their mentors based on personal career interests and collaborate on gamified, structured, interactive activities grouped into themed “quests.” Mentees lead discussions with their mentors on themes that include academic success, preparing for graduation, gaining work experience, preparing for future education, and networking. Mentors provide feedback and support their mentees’ efforts to: 1) define personal challenges or goals; 2) determine potential solutions and strategies; 3) identify networks of people who can help and how they can help; and 4) engage people in their network in the solution.