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Being “the first” sounds like a celebration until you realize how often it comes with no blueprint. I grew up in a family shaped by immigration and four Holocaust survivor grandparents, where education meant security, not prestige and nobody was sitting around the table talking about college applications, networking, internships, or career strategy. That’s why this conversation hits so hard: talent and ambition are everywhere, but roadmaps are not, and two students with the same grades can still be separated by generations of hidden knowledge.

I’m joined by Hannah Oberholtzer, Executive Director of Thrive Scholars Jacksonville, to talk about what real college access and opportunity look like for high-achieving students from economically under-resourced communities. We dig into the biggest misconception about these students, why “they’ll be fine” is often wrong, and how Thrive defines success as more than graduating high school or even college. Hannah shares how Thrive’s intentional pathway includes a Summer Academy on a college campus, one-on-one college access coaching, financial aid navigation, mentorship, and professional development so students build the skills, confidence, and networks that lead to economic mobility and long-term career success.

We also get practical about the ecosystem around students: internships that typically start too late, transportation barriers that quietly shape who can show up, and why partnerships across nonprofits, business leaders, and community matter if we want outcomes that last for generations. If you care about first-generation college success, educational equity, workforce development, and building diverse leadership that reflects our communities, this episode is for you.

About Thrive Scholars Jacksonville

Thrive Scholars is a national nonprofit dedicated to helping high-achieving students from low-income and under-resourced communities gain admission to top colleges, graduate successfully, and launch meaningful careers. Their comprehensive six-year program provides academic preparation, college advising, mentorship, career development, internships, and professional networking opportunities that help students achieve long-term economic mobility. connecting students with academic resources, mentors, internships, and professional networks throughout Northeast Florida.

To find out more about Thrive Scholars, Jacksonville: https://www.thrivescholars.org/get-involved/jacksonville/

In anticipation of their 25th year, read the 2025 Impact Report here:

https://www.flipsnack.com/A5F8DCA8B7A/thrive-scholars-fy25-annual-impact-report

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