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History

NPEA was formed to meet a need for collaboration identified by a growing number of programs committed to expanding educational opportunities for traditionally underrepresented students at college preparatory schools across the United States.

NPEA Timeline

  • Fall 2005: John Klingenstein from The Esther A. & Joseph Klingenstein Fund approaches Mike Danziger, founder of The Steppingstone Foundation, with the idea for a network of similar mission-driven organizations.
  • Winter 2005: TSF solicits feedback from similar school placement organizations and holds a reception during the 2006 National Association for Independent Schools annual conference in Boston.
  • March 2006: A reception called Ready.Set.Connect. is held. 75 senior leaders and board members representing 25 organizations attend. Governor Deval Patrick, then gubernatorial candidate, provides keynote.
  • Summer 2006: TSF continues to solicit feedback on the coalition idea from potential members and gathers information at a regional roundtable hosted by New Jersey SEEDS.
  • Fall 2007: TSF receives support from The Goldman Sachs Foundation and continued support from The Esther A. & Joseph Klingenstein Fund to research, design and launch a national coalition.
  • Fall 2007: NPEA Planning Council is formed.
  • Fall 2007: NPEA is launched at the 2nd annual Ready.Set.Connect. reception during the People of Color Conference in Boston.
  • Winter 2007: Executive Director begins.

Original Planning Council

  • Rhonda Auguste, Executive Director, The Wight Foundation, Newark, NJ
  • Cammy Dubie, Co-Director, The Aspire Program at Hathaway Brown School, Shaker Heights, OH
  • Steve Filosa, Director, Prep@Pingree, Hamilton, MA
  • Tasha Green, Executive Director, High Jump, Chicago, IL
  • Danielle Heard, Former Executive Vice President of Programs and Operations, The Steppingstone Foundation, Boston, MA
  • Natalie Herring, Executive Director, REACH Prep, Stamford, CT
  • Andy Hoge, Director of Placement and Alumni Services, New Jersey SEEDS, Newark, NJ
  • M. Scott Knox, Former Vice President of National Expansion, The Steppingstone Foundation, Boston, MA
  • Colin Lord, Associate Director of Admission, Choate Rosemary Hall, Wallingford, CT
  • Calvin Lyons, Executive Director, Rainier Scholars, Seattle, WA

Original Planning Advisors

  • Richard Barter, Consultant, The Esther A. & Joseph Klingenstein Fund, New York, NY
  • Pat Bassett, President, National Association of Independent Schools, Washington, DC
  • Gene Batiste, Vice President, Leadership Education and Diversity Team, National Association of Independent Schools, Washington, DC
  • Steve Clem, Executive Director, Association of Independent Schools in New England, Braintree, MA
  • Bob Sandoe, Co-Founder, Carney, Sandoe & Associates, Boston, MA
  • Jay Sherwin, Vice President of Programs, The College Access Foundation of California, San Francisco, CA
  • Meade Thayer, Executive Director, Pacific and Northwest Association of Independent Schools, Seattle, WA

Founding Members

  • The Wight Foundation, Newark, NJ
  • The Aspire Program at Hathaway Brown School, Shaker Heights, OH
  • Prep@Pingree, Hamilton, MA
  • High Jump, Chicago, IL
  • REACH Prep, Stamford, CT
  • The Steppingstone Foundation, Boston, MA
  • New Jersey SEEDS, Inc., Newark, NJ
  • Rainier Scholars, Seattle, WA