About

About NCAN

Our Vision

All students—especially first-generation students, students from underrepresented racial/ethnic backgrounds, and those from low-income backgrounds—have an equitable opportunity to achieve social and economic mobility through higher education.

Our Mission

The National College Attainment Network's (NCAN) mission is to support members and influence leaders, organizations, policies, and systems across the country to increase equity and excellence in postsecondary degree access and attainment.

History

NCAN was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 1995 by nine founding members that wanted to share best practices and spread college access and success services around the country.

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Values

Every student should have what they need to thrive and grow.
We share and live the following core values in holding our team, our members, and others in the field accountable to this goal.


Service

We use our knowledge, passion, and talents to effectively serve students, communities, and members. We strive to remain aware of and responsive to each group's varied and multiple needs.

Collaboration

Together, we build better, learn faster, and have a greater impact. Grounded in respect and mutual support, we 1) strive to create a healthy shared workspace and 2) work closely with the NCAN network to tap into their knowledge, talents, and experience for better results.

Trustworthiness

Collaboration and change move at the speed of trust and reciprocity. We extend trust and care to one another. We deliver on our promises and provide high-quality resources and tools.

Inclusion & Belonging

Everyone has something of value to contribute and should have equitable opportunities to do so. We create environments where all can thrive by bringing their unique identities and attributes, whether in our office, a workshop, a school, or on a college campus.

Courage

By design, our educational systems are inequitable. We are guided by a commitment to change that will positively impact students. We acknowledge that change comes in the long-term, challenging, and brave work of transforming what has become the status quo.

All students can achieve postsecondary success when they have the right support.

NCAN is a nonprofit, nonpartisan professional association with nearly 600 member organizations across the US that help students prepare for, apply to, and succeed in college. NCAN member organizations touch the lives of more than 2 million students and families each year. They span the education, nonprofit, government, and civic sectors.

NCAN believes everyone – regardless of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or whether their parents completed college – should have the opportunity to complete affordable, high-quality education after high school.

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Staff

Joann Ancheta headshot
Joann Ancheta
Director, Accounting
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Johanne Belzor headshot
Johanne Belzor
Manager, Events and Operations
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Catherine Brown headshot
Catherine Brown
Senior Director, Policy and Advocacy
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Alessandra Cipriani-Detres
Alessandra Cipriani-Detres
Senior Associate, Strategic Initiatives
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Kim Cook headshot
Kim Cook
Chief Executive Officer
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Bill DeBaun headshot
Bill DeBaun
Senior Director, Data and Strategic Initiatives
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Colette Hadley
Senior Director, Consulting Services
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Zenia Henderson headshot
Zenia Henderson
Chief Program Officer
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MorraLee Keller headshot
MorraLee Keller
Senior Consultant
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Joy King headshot
Joy King
Chief Talent, Strategy, and Operations Officer
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Tong Lee headshot
Tong Lee
Senior Manager, Retention and Database Management
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Sara Melnick headshot
Sara Melnick
Chief Finance Officer
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Elizabeth Morgan headshot
Elizabeth Morgan
Chief External Relations Officer
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Magnus Noble headshot
Magnus Noble
Midwest Policy Fellow
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Matthew Odom headshot
Matthew Odom
Communications Manager
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Danise Pena headshot
Danise Peña
Executive Assistant
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Dejanique Powell Headshot
Dejanique Powell
Communications Intern
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Simone Pringle Headshot
Simone Pringle
Program Associate
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Molly Rothschild Headshot
Molly Rothschild
Senior Program Manager, Digital Learning and Development
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Louisa Woodhouse Headshot
Louisa Woodhouse
Senior Associate, Policy and Advocacy
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Board of Directors

Catalina Cifuentes headshot
Catalina Cifuentes
President
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Braulio Colón headshot
Braulio Colón
Treasurer
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Alison De Lucca headshot
Alison De Lucca
Board Member
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Jacob Fraire headshot
Jacob Fraire
Board Member
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Jarian Kerekes headshot
Jarian Kerekes
Board Member
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Nick Lee headshot
Nick Lee
Board Member
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Bernard McCune headshot
Bernard McCune
Secretary
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Traci Rue headshot
Traci Rue White
Board Member
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Chandra Scott headshot
Chandra C. Scott
Board Member
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Doug Shapiro headshot
Doug Shapiro
Board Member
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Caroline Altman Smith headshot
Caroline Altman Smith
Vice President
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Ruth V. Watkins headshot
Ruth V. Watkins
Board Member
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Nick Watson headshot
Nick Watson
Board Member
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Keith Witham headshot
Keith Witham
Board Member
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Make a Donation

Support NCAN

Your tax-deductible donation to NCAN will help us empower communities across the US to close equity gaps in college attainment and increase the number of low-income students and students of color who get the support they need to complete a postsecondary degree or credential. Thank you for being part of the college access and success movement!

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College student holding a sign to advocate for expanding the Pell Grant