College Beyond supports underresourced students across Southeastern Louisiana to and through college.
For us, Success is defined not only by graduation, but by a successful transition to a fruitful and fulfilling career path.
We envision a future in which a student’s socioeconomic background is not a barrier to attaining a college degree. We are aimed toward a future in which resilience and academic ability — which our students have in abundance — are the only factors determining college success.
We believe that how we do our work matters
Courage
We seek possibility and confront fears to grow and overcome obstacles.
Mutuality
We are inclusive. We are better with all voices at the table. Student agency matters.
Excellence
We set and achieve ambitious goals with integrity.
Caring
We support each other’s well-being. We talk about hard things honestly and with love. We create welcoming relationships & spaces.
Responsibility
We face reality and own our actions. We are accountable to ourselves and our community.
College Beyond was founded in 2015 by Paris Woods and Sarah Payne, two college access educators working at Walter L. Cohen College Prep High School. We served 45 students in our first year, and today are proud to serve more than 350 New Orleans area college students each year.