EMERGE was featured in The Journal of College Admission, the flagship publication of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC).
The article, “A Village of Student Success,” highlights EMERGE’s model of supporting high-achieving students from low-income communities through the college admissions process and beyond.
At the heart of EMERGE’s work is the idea that college success requires more than admission. Students are supported through a seven-year continuum from 10th grade through college graduation, with guidance from counselors, families, mentors, and a broader community network.
As EMERGE CEO Ashley Cash explains in the article:
“We support students in a seven-year continuum from 10th grade through college graduation — because it really takes a village.”
The story also highlights the journey of EMERGE alumnus Juan Venancio, who graduated from Harvard University and later earned a master’s degree through the Schwarzman Scholars program at Tsinghua University in China. Today, Venancio works at Texas Appleseed and co-founded the Global Sino Institute, demonstrating how EMERGE scholars continue to create impact in their communities.
Mentorship and family engagement are also central to the EMERGE model. Parents are included from the beginning of a student’s journey, with counselors providing resources and support to help families navigate the college admissions and financial aid process.
Through this community-centered approach, EMERGE helps students not only access top colleges but succeed once they arrive — building a network of leaders who continue strengthening the communities they come from.
Read the full article from the Winter 2026 issue of The Journal of College Admission below.
This article originally appeared in The Journal of College Admission. To explore the Winter 2026 issue and other journal content, visit NACAC’s journal page.
The Journal of College Admission is NACAC’s quarterly publication covering research, trends, and leadership in college admission counseling.