To mobilize local leadership to impact education, economic development and cultural pride.
Young Achievers Forum – Building the Pipeline for Career Preparation and Attainment
Since 2012, CEA has hosted the Young Achievers Forum in partnership with The University of Texas at El Paso, impacting over 10,860 students and 6,300 parents across independent school districts in El Paso and Hudspeth Counties. In 2017, YAF expanded to Southern New Mexico through a partnership with New Mexico State University, reaching an additional 3,500 students and 500 parents from five rural school districts.
The Young Achievers Forum introduces postsecondary education as an attainable goal for students and families who may not otherwise have this exposure. CEA collaborates closely with 11 independent school districts in El Paso and Hudspeth Counties and with five independent school districts in Southern New Mexico. Most of these schools are in rural communities or serve students living in colonias, public housing, or temporary housing, including foster children or others identified by school counselors. However, the program welcomes all students and their families, regardless of whether they meet these specific criteria.
Sixth Grade Students:
This grade level is a pivotal year because students need to start thinking about future careers and what courses in middle school and high school are needed to advance their interests in career pathways. This process often plays out well for students in households with higher levels of income. However, for students in rural communities and/or low to mid-income households, this process may not unfold the same way.
As community members and educators, we have experienced how students may lack access to the guidance and resources to prepare for a career—and their parents may not have that access either. Making these decisions in high school, close to graduation, is too late for determining a career path students may want to take.
With this belief in mind, CommUNITY en Acción members have taken the lead in creating the Young Achievers Forum. Schools help us identify students with hidden or untapped potential. By sponsoring a day of activities focused on inspiration and motivation, we encourage these students to start thinking about their future academic paths.
Our carefully curated lineup includes professionals working in STEAM, Health/Sciences, Liberal Arts/Education, Business/Finance, and Vocational fields. By exposing participants to a broad spectrum of careers, we aim to broaden their horizons and encourage them to pursue postsecondary education.
Parental Empowerment Session:
Parents attend separate breakout sessions that give them the tools and resources they need to effectively plan and support their children in pursuing higher education. These sessions include information on college admissions and financial literacy related to federal, state, and private aid options. The event also helps demystify the college admissions process and guides parents on how to be active participants in their child’s educational journey.
The parent sessions are conducted in both English and Spanish.
The College Students:
As part of our commitment to creating a comprehensive and impactful experience for the participating sixth-grade students, we have established a meaningful partnership with students attending The University of Texas at El Paso and New Mexico State University.
Program Enhancement: One of the unique features of the Young Achievers Forum is the intentional pairing of sixth-grade students with college students. This mutually beneficial relationship allows middle schoolers to interact with current college students, gaining valuable insights and inspiration for their own educational journey. College students, in turn, benefit from sharing their personal stories and giving back, while also earning community service hours.
Key Features of the College Student Experience:
Mutual Benefits: The group creates a symbiotic relationship, allowing sixth-grade students to ask questions, seek advice, and gain a firsthand understanding of college life. College students find fulfillment in mentoring and contributing to the educational aspirations of younger peers.
Training and Vetting: College students who participate in the Forum undergo vetting and training to ensure they are well-prepared to engage with 11–12-year-olds, share their stories effectively, and provide positive, encouraging guidance.
Interactive Sessions: College students actively engage with the sixth-grade participants throughout the forum, participating in workshops, speaker presentations, and interactive activities. This creates a dynamic and immersive experience for the young achievers.
Key Features of the Speakers Session:
Diverse Representation: We prioritize diversity in our speaker selection so participants can see individuals who have overcome various challenges. Our speakers may include military veterans, parents who returned to school, business owners who came from public housing, or those who grew up in foster care or single-parent households—yet have succeeded as CEOs, engineers, accountants, researchers, educators, doctors, and more.
Varied Pathways: Speakers share their unique journeys, emphasizing the role of postsecondary education in achieving personal and professional goals.
Inspiration through Real Stories: YAF speakers not only discuss their educational and career paths, but also share personal stories highlighting the resilience and determination it takes to overcome obstacles. This fosters a sense of relatability, making speakers more accessible role models.
When we meet our goal, the funds will be used to implement two additional Young Achievers Forums. The YAF Committee is working on a seventh-grade forum in Fall 2025 focused on STEAM for students who participated in the 2024–2025 school year, and a sixth-grade forum on October 25 for students from five independent school districts in Southern New Mexico.
Remaining funds will also support the coordination and implementation of the February 2026 sixth-grade program for El Paso and Hudspeth Counties.
CEA plans to increase YAF's reach and long-term impact by implementing the strategic plan developed in 2023–2024:
The GECU Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) public charity established to maximize philanthropic efforts to benefit education, community programs and charitable giving. If you itemize deductions on your federal tax return, you may be entitled to claim your donation as a charitable deduction. Please consult your tax adviser.