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Michelle Obama\u2019s Becoming <\/em>proved to be the perfect launching off point for a robust discussion of college access and completion, ways to support first-generation and marginalized students, and a counselor\u2019s role in these goals.<\/p>\n In a #NACACreads Twitter chat Tuesday night, Eric Waldo, the executive director of Reach Higher, shared his insights on these subjects and more. Reach Higher was founded by Mrs. Obama and Waldo has traveled with the former first lady during her recent Becoming<\/em> book tour.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cFirst, I think we can be encouraging, because ALL students are college material. Then it’s more about fit than any one school name. AND we have to talk about not just access but COMPLETION,\u201d Waldo tweeted.<\/p>\n Participants in the chat concurred with this statement, highlighting the need for services to support students, especially first-generation and marginalized students, throughout their college journey.<\/p>\n The need for powerful stories, role models, and examples of college success was also stressed.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can\u2019t be what you can\u2019t see. It\u2019s important to lift up the stories of young people going to college. Role-models like @MichelleObama<\/a> \u2013 a first-gen @Princeton<\/a> grad from the Southside of Chicago \u2013 help show young people that it is possible for them to achieve the same success,\u201d Waldo said.<\/p>\n Read the full transcript<\/a> and learn more about #NACACreads.<\/a><\/p>\n Ashley Dobson is NACAC\u2019s communications manager for content and social media. You can reach her at\u00a0adobson@nacacnet.org<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Michelle Obama\u2019s Becoming proved to be the perfect launching off point for a robust discussion of college access and completion, ways to support first-generation and marginalized students, and a counselor\u2019s role in these goals. In a #NACACreads Twitter chat Tuesday night, Eric Waldo, the executive director of Reach Higher, shared his insights on these subjects … Continue reading #NACACreads: College Access Isn\u2019t Enough, Completion Must Be the Goal<\/span>