NCAN Announces 5 New Member Organizations

The National College Access Network (NCAN) is pleased to announce the addition of 5 new members to the organization. NCAN’s roster extends to over 240 organizations in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Micronesia, and Canada, all dedicated to the belief that every young person  should be able to attain a college education. The Board of Directors of NCAN, a national network of state and local college access programs working to building, strengthening, and empowering communities committed to college access and success so that all students, especially those under-represented in postsecondary education, can achieve their educational dreams, voted to admit these programs for February 1, 2010. The new members are:


Arizona State University, AZ – Arizona State University is a creating a new model for American higher education, an unprecedented combination of academic excellence, entrepreneurial energy and broad access. This New American University is a single, unified institution comprising four differentiated campuses positively impacting the economic, social, cultural and environmental health of the communities it serves. Its research is inspired by real world application, blurring the boundaries that traditionally separate academic disciplines. ASU serves more than 64,000 students in metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona, the nation's fifth largest city. ASU champions intellectual and cultural diversity, and welcomes students from all fifty states and more than one hundred nations across the globe.

BELL (Building Educated Leaders for Life), MA – "BELL exists to dramatically increase the academic achievements, self-esteem and life opportunities of children living in low-income, urban communities." We pursue our mission because we believe in the tremendous potential within all children, whom we call scholars. BELL currently educates nearly 12,000 scholars in 75 public and charter school sites throughout Boston, New York City, Baltimore, Detroit, and Springfield, MA.

Institute of American Indian Arts Expanding the Circle, NM – Expanding the Circle (ETC) at the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) is an academic outreach program that provides culturally-relevant services and support to Native American high school students from the 22 Tribes in New Mexico. IAIA-ETC has been established to promote preparation of Native American high school students for a college environment through: IAIA on campus programs and; Assisting NM tribal educators in developing community based college preparation programs that promote similar support services offered to IAIA students.

Kent County CAN, MI – The mission of Kent County CAN (College Access Network) is to support and enhance collaboration and efficiency among programs that effectively inspire and motivate low income and/or first generation Kent County students and their families to access, enroll and succeed in college. In March 2009, a group of civic, business, philanthropic and education leaders from across the region convened to discuss how best to develop an integrated college access strategy for the city and the region. As a result of that meeting and others, the Kent County College Access Network was formed.

Northern Arizona College Resource Center, AZ – The mission of the Northern Arizona College Resource Center is to increase the number of students who apply, are admitted, and attend college by providing appropriate information, technical assistance, advice, and referrals to students and their families regarding applying to and financing college or university studies.