OUR Mission:
To enable college access for immigrant students and students from immigrant families.
OUR VisioN:
To create an inclusive and safe environment for Athens-area un(der)documented immigrant students and students from immigrant families to prepare them to pursue higher education, to advocate with students for equal access to higher education, and to provide access to human and financial resources that will allow students to graduate from college.
OUR History:
U-Lead Athens is a volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to enabling college access to higher education for immigrant students and students from immigrant families, including un(der)documented students (those with DACA, TPS, children of undocumented parents and other limiting documentation statuses). U-Lead was founded in 2014 in response to Georgia’s discriminatory policies that deny un(der)documented immigrants admission to UGA and other “selective” universities, and require the highest tuition rate at all other 2- and 4-year institutions. Educators from Clarke County School District and the University of Georgia consulted with CCSD high school students on what they wanted the organization to do, its name, and the basic structure. We began with about a dozen students in August 2014 and have grown to an average of 50 students attending each week.
U-Lead Athens welcomes immigrant students and students from immigrant families in the Athens-Clarke County area who are seeking higher education. We welcome persons of every age, race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, immigration status, and language spoken.
What We’ve accomplisheD:
74 students currently attend college with U-Lead Scholarships
23 U-Leaders currently are attending college on thedream.us scholarship, 2 received Golden Doors Scholarships, 6 are Bonner Scholars, and 9 have full ride university scholarships at Berry, Denison, Emory, George Mason, Georgia Tech, Kenyon, Texas, Rhodes, and UGA
102 community volunteers
22 U-Lead students have graduated from college!
265 students attended meetings at least once the previous year
100 students attended meetings five or more times
Get to know us
COLLEGEs our students attend:
Agnes Scott College, Athens Technical College, Augusta University, Berry College, Brenau University, Delaware State University, , Eastern Connecticut State University, Emory University, Georgia College and State University, Georgia Gwinnett College, Georgia Institute of Technology, Kennesaw State University, Kenyon College, North Georgia Technical College, Oglethorpe University, Tennessee Wesleyan University, Trinity Washington University, the University of Georgia, the University of North Georgia
Where our students have graduateD From:
Agnes Scott College, Athens Technical College, Berea University, Christian Brothers, Dartmouth University, Delaware State University, Denison University, Eastern Connecticut State University, Emory University, Georgia College & State University, Illinois Institute of Technology, Kennesaw State University, New Horizons Medical Institute, North Georgia Technical College, Piedmont College, Rhodes College, Smith College, Stetson University, Syracuse University, Tufts University, the University of Georgia, the University of North Georgia, Young Harris College.