Promise for Oregon's Future

Higher education is a powerful component in the development of personal vocation and community leadership, yet too few young people from ethnically diverse, low-income, urban neighborhoods are earning college degrees.  National data show that less than half of all African American, Latino and American Indian students who start college ever graduate.  The data are equally discouraging for students whose parents didn't attend college and those from low-income families.  Simply put, the future health and vitality of our urban centers hinges on changing these trends and empowering more of the emerging indigenous leaders from our city.

In the midst of this challenge, Act Six is working! More than 90% of Oregon Act Six scholars who enrolled in college are still enrolled and on track for graduation.  As the initiative enters its fourth year, we are witnessing significant impact on scholars, on the college campus, and on our city, even as we dream about the future.

Act Six not only provides a tremendous opportunity for Oregon's emerging urban leaders, but also serves as a long-term investment in a new kind of bold and visionary leadership for our region's college campuses and urban communities.

Take some time to meet Oregon's Act Six scholars and explore some of the ways that Act Six is making a difference in cities and campuses across the country.

• Meet the Scholars
• Discover the impact of the flagship Act Six program in Washington