Congratulations to our November 2025 Member of the Month (MeMo) Laura Owen! National College Attainment Network (NCAN) staff asked her both professional and personal questions so you can get to know her and the work she does better.
Q: What brought you to the college access and success field initially? A: As a first-generation college student, I experienced firsthand how
confusing and overwhelming the postsecondary process can be without strong advising and guidance. While I was fortunate to eventually find my way, I also recognized how many doors can remain closed for students who don’t have someone walking alongside
them to help navigate applications, financial aid, and college-going systems. That lived experience has stayed with me. It sparked my commitment to ensure that other students, especially those from historically marginalized communities, don’t have
to figure it out on their own.
I entered the college access and success field because I wanted to be the kind of school counselor who demystifies the process, helps students see what’s possible, and provides the support and advocacy needed
for them to thrive in their postsecondary journey.
Q: What do you love most about your role or organization? A: Ultimately, the people: collaborating with passionate colleagues and seeing students thrive because the adults in their lives are better equipped to guide
them. That’s what keeps me motivated every day.
Q: What's your favorite thing about being an NCAN member? A: I especially appreciate how NCAN creates spaces where research, policy, and practice intersect, where we can share ideas, challenge assumptions, and build
on one another’s strengths.
Q: What advice do you have for people who are new to college attainment work A: Always center students and their lived experiences. The systems we work in are often complicated and inequitable,
and it’s easy to get caught up in policies, processes, and metrics. But at the heart of this work are young people with hopes, talents, and dreams. Listen deeply to them, honor their stories, and let their needs guide your decisions.
Personality Questions
Every month, our MeMos will be answering some fun questions to help us get to know their “out of office” side!
Q: If you were dropped into any movie or TV show as a new main character, what movie or TV show would you pick and why? A: I’d pick I Love Lucy. Lucille Ball’s character was fearless, curious, and always willing to try new
things, even if it meant making mistakes along the way. That mix of humor, resilience, and determination really speaks to me. In many ways, it mirrors the spirit of the students we work with: pushing boundaries, dreaming big, and not being afraid
to stumble as part of learning and growing. She reminds us that laughter and joy are powerful tools for connection, which is something I try to bring into my work every day.
Q: You get to host a dinner party with five people, dead or alive, famous or not. Who are you hosting? A: I’d
invite Cheryl Holcomb-McCoy, whose work guided me well before she became a mentor in my higher ed journey; Ibram X. Kendi, whose writing pushed me to confront bias and rethink equity; and Michelle Obama, in gratitude for her Reach Higher leadership.
I’d also invite Kara Ieva, who embodies joy and resilience, and my grandmother, who never finished school but always believed and supported me. Together, they represent wisdom, courage, joy, and love, the perfect mix for a transformative conversation.
Q: What's one thing you'd like to cross off your personal bucket list? Is there one thing you've crossed off already that you're really proud of? A: I’d
love to try paddle boarding. Being out on the water feels like the perfect mix of fun and challenge, and since a dolphin is my animal muse, I figure I’d be right at home! Of course, I also saw Jaws, so I might be keeping one eye on the water while
I paddle.
Q: Imagine you could teleport anywhere. Where would you go right now and why? A: I’d teleport five years into the future to see how we’ve managed to get ourselves out of the situation we’re in. I’m always
looking for signs of hope and progress, and it would be amazing to catch a glimpse of the solutions and leadership that helped us move forward so that I could bring that insight back to today.
Q: What's your favorite food, and one food you don't like? A: Ice
cream, always. Liver and onions, NEVER.
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