(Winter 2024) – Tianlee Chu, a San Francisco native, believes that “tutoring forges a positive mutual brain connection unlike almost anything else in the world. When two people work together to learn challenging subjects, they have to listen and respond actively to one another, and be willing to be vulnerable.”
Tianlee discovered his passion for teaching while navigating his own academic challenges in college. Determined to assist others in harnessing their high school’s resources and overcoming obstacles on the way to college, he found his way to SMART in 2020. Drawn by the community and chance to make a meaningful impact in education, Tianlee embraced the opportunity to volunteer.
(Summer 2023) – “Oh, I love New York. Moving here is probably the best decision I’ve made in my life. Just because of how large a decision it was, and also because of all the unexpected, positive things that have happened since.”
Nine years after going off to college, SMART alumnus George Lieu is taking on new challenges and adventures in New York City.
(Spring 2023) – Currently a sophomore in college, Kathya’s unique SMART journey began in 9th Grade. Encouraged by her younger brother’s SMART experience, Kathya’s mother advocated for her to apply to SMART when she was in 8th Grade.
“It was during the interview process at SMART that I started to realize that college will take some planning, because so much of what we do in high school determines our college options.”
(Fall 2022) – In late August 2022, SMART Scholar Aaliyah Perry moved to the east coast and started college at Mount Holyoke College. Mount Holyoke was high on Aaliyah’s list of college preferences, because of the college’s wide range of course offerings on her journey to becoming a licensed Speech Therapist. Aaliyah is already considering specialization and certifications in this field beyond college.
(Fall 2022) – Nneka Williams has been teaching math and wellness since 1999. Last spring she came across an ad seeking a teacher for SMART’s 2022 Summer Academic Enrichment Program. She was intrigued by SMART’s stated organizational values, and specifically the value of Joy, which she believes is so important for learning. However, what she found most compelling was SMART’s program design that starts engaging students in 4th grade and supports them all the way through college graduation.
(Winter 2022) – “I’ve worked really hard to make sure that mine and other communities are safe and included.”
De’Yani Dillard, SMART Class of 2022, was devoted to ensuring the wellness of her community since she was a young girl. “My heart is always in the community,” she shares. De’Yani is a witty and responsible leader and an activist. She opens her heart and knowledge to support those around her.
(Winter 2022) – Since SMART was founded in 1997, partnerships with corporations in the Bay Area have been critical to the organization’s growth. Companies like Qatalyst Partners and Sixth Street have long been dedicated to promoting educational equity in the region and supporting SMART Scholars on their journey to college.
(Fall 2021) – Jazzlyn (Jazz) Morton, a SMART alumna, is loving, brave, and filled to the brim with determination. A first-generation college graduate, Jazz completed her final semester of graduate school earlier this spring, and graduated from Hampton University with both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Business Administration.
(Fall 2021) – “A college diploma is said to be a ticket to the middle class. But does it really work that way for students from different racial and economic backgrounds?” This was the question that guided Diego Villegas, a SMART College Scholar, in his new podcast series, sponsored by the Stupski Foundation.
(Fall 2021) – This autumn marks Haley and Junior’s fifth year working together as a SMART volunteer and Scholar. When Haley moved from New York City to San Francisco, she was eager to find an opportunity to tutor and mentor students. With a simple search on Google, Haley found SMART!
