Student U

Now THAT is how you kick off a new year. Our Back to YRP Open House & Resource Fair welcomed 262 Student U students, including 132 middle school students and 130 high school students. Add their families, and nearly 550 people joined us for an evening of reconnecting, finding resources, meeting staff, and getting ready for the year ahead.

And then it was time to get to work. Year-round programming and tutoring are officially underway, giving students a place to strengthen their academic skills, connect with trusted adults and peers, and keep working toward the goals they have set for themselves.

Seeing the W.G. Pearson Center filled with students and families again was a pretty great reminder of what makes this place special: the people.

Is your child graduating from high school this year and planning to go to college or a university next fall? Now is the time to get ready for the FAFSA!

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is a free form that helps you find out what money may be available to help pay for college. This can include grants, scholarships, work-study jobs, and student loans.

FAFSA can feel confusing, but you don’t have to do it alone. Join us for Student U FAFSA Night! Students and families can get help with the FAFSA, ask questions, and take an important step toward paying for college.

October 1, 2026 | 4:00–7:30 PM
The W.G. Pearson Center

Student U is hiring! Join a team of staff whose mission is to partner with our students, families, and educators to create a community that cultivates joy and academic excellence so all students thrive!

High School Program Coordinator
Application Deadline: Sept. 30

Position Overview:
The High School team currently consists of two High School Program Coordinators who work collaboratively to plan, implement, and evaluate our daily programming and summer program for 200 high school students & families. The ideal candidate for this position demonstrates a passion for Student U’s mission and core values, high school students, and working collaboratively towards student success. This position reports to the Chief Program Officer.

In partnership with additional Student U staff, the team implements new high school initiatives and develops ambitious goals and innovative ideas to push the high school program forward. One goal specific to this position is to grow and develop programming focused on students’ academic readiness for college. As a member of our full-time staff, the High School Program Coordinator participates in all staff meetings, professional development, and cross-departmental special projects.

Apply now - https://hubs.la/Q04yk-f70

📣 We’re looking for volunteers to support Student U families at FAFSA Night! Applying for financial aid can feel overwhelming, especially for families going through the process for the first time. A little guidance and encouragement can make a big difference.

FAFSA Support Night
October 1, 2026 | 4:00–7:30 PM
The W.G. Pearson Center

We’re looking for volunteers who can help families:
🎓 Navigate the FAFSA application
📄 Understand financial aid documents and requirements
💬 Get answers to common FAFSA questions
💛 Feel supported and encouraged throughout the process
Bilingual Spanish/English volunteers are especially welcome!

If you have FAFSA or financial aid experience and want to help students take an important step toward college, we’d love to have you join us.

📧 Interested in volunteering? Contact [email protected].

Our students’ Student U stories don’t end at high school graduation. One of our favorite things is following along as they build lives, explore new places, discover career paths, and make memories during their college years. And they’ve been busy!

👁️ One Student U student got a firsthand look at a future in optometry during an internship at The Ohio State University, gaining clinical experience, learning about residency opportunities and the OAT exam, and connecting with professors.

🍝 Another took learning across the Atlantic, studying abroad in Florence, Italy, where they explored Renaissance history, visited the Duomo and Uffizi Gallery, and made new friendships along the way.

🗽 And sometimes growth looks like simply experiencing something new. One student traveled to New York City with family, saw J. Cole perform at Madison Square Garden, explored the city, tried new foods, and made some pretty unforgettable memories.

From internships to international adventures to new experiences with family, we love seeing where our students go and who they are becoming along the way.

Swipe to catch up on their latest adventures.

What does a Community School look like in action?

During the 2025-26 school year at Fayetteville Street Elementary:
📚 265 students received support through Community School initiatives
🥫 1,132 visits were made to the Family Resource Center
🍎 3,480 pounds of food were distributed
🤝 55 students in grades 3-5 were matched with college mentors from North Carolina Central University

These numbers represent more than services delivered. They represent stronger relationships, greater access to resources, and a community working together to help every student thrive.

Explore all the Community Schools impact reports: https://hubs.la/Q04vJks-0

College move-in day is just the beginning. 🎓 In collaboration with the Emily K Center, our Annual Summer College Retreat brought incoming first-year college students together for a week of preparation, connection, and community.

Through workshops, activities, and peer mentorship, students gained practical tools and honest insight into navigating their first year. Just as importantly, they strengthened the relationships that will continue supporting them throughout the journey ahead.

We cannot wait to see where this next chapter takes them! 💫

“It really does take a village, and there’s definitely a village for you.”

Recent Riverside High School graduate KaNora Graham joined Student U as a sixth grader. Now, she is heading to Winston-Salem State University on a full-ride scholarship after earning both her high school diploma and an associate degree from Durham Technical Community College.

In a new student profile, KaNora reflects on the friends, teachers, mentors, and family members who helped her thrive. She also shares how Student U connected her with new opportunities, strengthened her confidence, and inspired her decision to study psychology.

Her advice for younger students? Ask for help, embrace every opportunity, and remember that you are never on this journey alone.

Read KaNora’s story, written by Student U Communications Intern Amy Hyde: https://hubs.la/Q04vJ81f0

“It Really Does Take a Village”: Graduate KaNora Graham Reflects on Her Student U Journey - Student U Durham “It Really Does Take a Village”: Graduate KaNora Graham Reflects on Her Student U Journey Every Student U student has a unique story. Some discover a new passion, some find lifelong friendships, and others gain the confidence to pursue goals they once thought were out of reach. For recent high s...

Students learn best when they feel known, supported, and challenged - and that belief shaped every part of Summer Academy.

Over five weeks, 391 middle and high school students learned alongside 38 teachers and achieved an average academic growth rate of 22%. Students explored new interests through engineering and cooking, built friendships in clubs, and strengthened their confidence through hands-on learning.

Our impact extended beyond the classroom:
👓 375 vision screenings
👁️ 198 comprehensive eye exams
👓 170 pairs of glasses
🩺 138 sports physicals
🍎 38 summer teachers and five mentor teachers

From joyful classrooms and Morning Joy Lines to free health services and meaningful mentorship, every experience helped students grow academically, build relationships, and recognize that who they are matters.

Thank you to our teachers, partners, families, and supporters for making another incredible summer possible. The relationships built during Summer Academy will continue throughout the school year through academic support, college advising, leadership opportunities, and mentoring.

Read the full Summer Academy 2026 Newsletter by Amy Hyde - https://hubs.la/Q04vJ7qQ0

Summer Academy Newsletter 2026 - Student U Durham Summer Academy 2026 Newsletter by Amy Hyde Student U Summer Academy 2026 Spotlight Students learn best when they feel known, supported, and challenged. This summer, students explored new interests through electives like engineering and cooking, built friendships in clubs, and learned alongside teach...