Impact Report
Together with our higher education and employer partners, we’re proving what’s possible when you empower the next generation of leaders with the skills, networks, experiences, and confidence necessary to launch a strong career.
"Spelman College, in partnership with Braven, equipped me to secure impactful opportunities. When I received my first call from the White House, I was prepared to promptly share my professional portfolio."
– Simone Moales
What Does
This Report Cover?
At Braven, we believe that all students deserve a fair shot to compete in today’s economy.
It’s why we partner with innovative colleges and universities nationwide,
as well as college success partners via BravenX, to empower more underrepresented college students on the path to economic mobility.
We’ve had the privilege of supporting more than 10,000 talented, diverse
students over the last decade through our partnership with 9 institutions of higher education and BravenX.
In this report, we highlight the stories of Fellows as we dive into five questions that assess our impact.
Why Our
Work Matters
Only about 30% of 1.4 million low-income or first-generation college students who enroll in college each year will graduate and secure a strong first job or enter graduate school.1
That's more than one million students every single year who aren't on the path to the American promise.
University of Illinois at Chicago
"Getting a job was an uphill battle. Whenever I got bad news, I would lean on my coaches to give me advice on what to work on as well as get words of encouragement."
– Ahmed Benchehida
"The skills that Braven taught were all new to me and I really appreciated all of the templates I had access to and used."
– Tiffany Velez
In collaboration with our higher education and employer partners, Braven empowers promising, underrepresented college students with the skills, confidence, experiences, and networks necessary to transition from college to strong economic opportunities, which lead to meaningful careers and lives of impact.
The next generation of leaders will emerge from everywhere.
The Braven Model
With our partners, Braven empowers promising underrepresented college students on their paths to quality economic opportunities through a semester-long, cohort-based course, which was designed with significant input from our higher education partners and their faculty, and a post-course experience that lasts 6 months post college graduation.
In our core higher education model, students take the course for credit. Students who take BravenX via college success organizations receive a financial stipend in lieu of credit.
Are our Fellows getting quality economic opportunities that put them on the path to the American promise?
Americans Still Find Value
in the Bachelor's Degree
Despite the value of the bachelor's degree, we still see inequities in the outcomes of college graduates.
Outcomes 10 years after graduation
"I valued my time with Braven at Spelman College. The program equipped me with a strong support network of professionals from diverse fields while empowering me to reach my full potential."
– Jada Farley-Cook
Goldman Sachs
The Strength of Roles
Our 2023 Graduates Secured
In 2023, 777 Braven Fellows graduated nationwide from our partner schools. 89% were employed or enrolled in graduate school by six months after graduation.
Quality role
a full-time role that requires a bachelor's degree and includes some combination of promotion pathways, employee benefits, and a market-competitive starting salary, or enrollment in graduate-school
Pathway role
a role that does not require a bachelor's degree but helps students' financial sustainability, is aligned with career interests, and will likely lead to more career-accelerating possibilities through skill development
Non-quality role
a role that does not require a bachelor's degree, offers limited runway to additional career-accelerating opportunities, and is not aligned with the students' career interests
6 National benchmark estimates are based on data from NACE’s 2022 First Destination Survey (publicly available and custom cut data) and underemployment research from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
Fellow Enrollment in Graduate School
Enrollment in graduate school is one of the ways Braven defines a quality first outcome.
Fifteen percent of our 777 2023 graduates went on to graduate school within six months of graduation.
Adler University
American University
Arizona State University
California State University,
Long Beach
California State University, Monterey Bay
Farleigh Dickinson University
Grand Canyon University
Houston Christian University
Northern Illinois University
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Rutgers University
San Jose State University
Seton Hall University
University of St. Augustine-Florida
St John's University
NEW YORK CITY:
• Baruch College
• Brooklyn College
• The City College of New York
• Columbia University
• Craig Newmark School of
Journalism
• Fordham University
• Hunter College
• Lehman College
• Monroe College
• Morgan State University
• New York University
• Stony Brook
University of Southern California
University of St. Augustine-California
University of St. Augustine-Texas
University of Kentucky
University of Chicago
University of Central Florida
University of California, Berkeley
University of Connecticut
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
University of California, Riverside
Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine
New Jersey City University
California State University, East Bay
Claremont Graduate University
California State University, Sacramento
- 1. Adler University
- 2. American University
- 3. Arizona State University
- 4. Baruch College
- 5. Brooklyn College
- 6. California State University, Sacramento
- 7. The City College of New York
- 8. Claremont Graduate University
- 9. College of Mount Saint Vincent
- 10. Columbia University
- 11. Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY
- 12. California State University, East Bay
- 13. California State University, Long Beach
- 14. California State University, Monterey Bay
- 15. Fairleigh Dickinson University
- 16. Fordham University
- 17. Grand Canyon University
- 18. Houston Christian University
- 19. Hunter College
- 20. Lehman College
- 21. Monroe College
- 22. Morgan State University
- 23. Northern Illinois University
- 24. New Jersey City University
- 25. New Jersey Institute of Technology
- 26. New York University
- 27. Rutgers University
- 28. San José State University
- 29. Seton Hall University
- 30. St. John's University
- 31. Stony Brook University
- 32. Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine
- 33. University of California, Riverside
- 34. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- 35. University of Connecticut
- 36. University of California, Berkeley
- 37. University of Central Florida
- 38. University of Chicago
- 39. University of Kentucky
- 40. University of St. Augustine-Florida
- 41. University of St. Augustine-Texas
- 42. University of St. Augustine-California
- 43. University of Southern California
Fellow Enrollment in Graduate School
- Adler University
- American University
- Arizona State University
- Baruch College
- Brooklyn College
- California State University, Sacramento
- The City College of New York
- Claremont Graduate University
- College of Mount Saint Vincent
- Columbia University
- Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY
- California State University, East Bay
- California State University, Long Beach
- California State University, Monterey Bay
- Fairleigh Dickinson University
- Fordham University
- Grand Canyon University
- Houston Christian University
- Hunter College
- Lehman College
- Monroe College
- Morgan State University
- Northern Illinois University
- New Jersey City University
- New Jersey Institute of Technology
- New York University
- Rutgers University
- San José State University
- Seton Hall University
- St. John's University
- Stony Brook University
- Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine
- University of California, Riverside
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- University of Connecticut
- University of California, Berkeley
- University of Central Florida
- University of Chicago
- University of Kentucky
- University of St. Augustine-Florida
- University of St. Augustine-Texas
- University of St. Augustine-California
- University of Southern California
Across Lines of Race and Ethnicity
Braven Fellows Outpace Peers Nationally
in Quality Economic Outcomes
"My mentors provided invaluable assistance with my resume, interview preparation, and building confidence. Their guidance was crucial in helping me transition smoothly from an intern to a full-time employee."
– Sharon Tran
"Braven helped me land an internship by sharpening my communication skills, which allowed me effectively to relay my skills and experience to recruiters. My internship has equipped me with strong analytical and strategic skills that will be invaluable in any business career I pursue."
-Jaden Weatherspoon
Internships: The Most
Predictive Factor for
Strong First Destinations
After College
The influence of internships on post-graduate success is underscored by our data: Braven Fellows who have completed at least one internship in college are 12 percentage points more likely to get a quality first opportunity than Fellows who have not (66% vs 54%).8
The Braven Equation in Action
With The Northern Illinois Braven experience, Jaylan Peebles built the foundation to get on the path to the American promise.
"The Braven program at Northern Illinois University prepared me to hit the ground running in my first job. One of the areas where it truly helped me develop was in conducting myself professionally, especially in virtual settings. I was equipped with the skills I needed to navigate online meeting etiquette."
– Jaylan Peebles
Are we impacting more students and maintaining program quality?
10,000+ Braven Fellows
Served Nationwide
During the 2023-24 school year, Braven supported 10,000+ Fellows nationwide, including 5,188 who were still in college.
Of those, 2,242 were new Fellows who took the course for the first time that year. These Fellows span across various states and platforms, reflecting Braven's growing presence and impact nationwide.
2023-2024 Braven Fellows
in our Core Higher Education Model
2023-2024 Fellows who identify as:
Most Popular Majors
Is Braven supporting Fellows on the path to internships & college completion?
Disparities in Access
and Completion of Internships
In an extensive literature review of 13 career readiness interventions, the Harvard Project on Workforce found that internships were the most effective intervention in terms of research-based evidence and implementation. But across socioeconomic lines of difference, there are inequities in internship attainment and paid internship attainment.
The critical role of internships
A paid internship in college is associated with a $3,096 increase in annual wages one year after graduation.10
National data show first-generation students are less likely to participate in internships11
Internships are useful when choosing a career path
12 Survey Teaser: Helping Students Prepare for Life After College. Inside Higher Ed. November 21, 2023.
Encouraging Levels of Internship
Attainment for our Fellows
For college students, internships serve as critical proof points of experience that open professional doors.
Compared with graduates nationally, Braven 2023 graduates from our partner schools were 23 percentage points more likely to have at least one internship during their college experience.
14 Source: Strada Viewpoint: From College to Career: Students’ Internship Expectations and Experiences. May 2023. https://stradaeducation.org/report/from-college-to-career-students-internship-expectations-and-experiences/.
"My professional mentor helped me realize I wasn't alone in facing challenges. His words boosted my confidence, reminding me of my capabilities and the importance of aiming high in my job search. When crafting a resume, remember your audience: busy professionals who skim. A concise three-sentence summary at the beginning can quickly highlight your qualifications and career goals."
- Oluwamuyiwa Fadipe
The City College of New York
New York University
and Public Health Influencer,
Morehouse School of Medicine
"Spelman College, in partnership with Braven, helped prepare me to get my first internship at Morehouse School of Medicine. Braven helped me strengthen my resume, personal statement, and LinkedIn to apply to the program."
– Alexa DeVilmé
Internship Attainment
Disaggregated by Race and Ethnicity
Encouraging Levels
of College Completion
Braven Fellows are persisting and graduating at encouraging rates. By comparison, about 8 in 10 of their peers nationally graduate college on time.16
17 Six-year graduation data of Braven Fellows who enrolled as first-time freshmen at San José State University, Rutgers University-Newark, and Lehman College, not including those who took Braven as seniors. Braven reports graduation rates for core partner schools who have had at least 200 Braven Fellow graduates.
“Getting a college degree helped me land my current job, and thanks to San José State University and Braven, I was able to adapt to corporate life faster.”
– Natalia Vega Krutzfeldt
Are our Fellows developing the soft skills and networks needed for success?
"Confidence was the biggest skill I gained from taking Braven. I learned that in knowing who you are and being secure in yourself, it allows you to navigate life more freely and authentically and that is the start of true confidence."
– Raphael Pereira
Growth in Non-Cognitive Measures
In 2023-2024, Braven Fellows showed statistically significant growth across non-cognitive factors
Each semester, Braven measures growth in non-cognitive factors between the start and end of the Braven Accelerator.
Self efficacy, which is not usually measured through traditional assessments like standardized tests, is associated with academic and lifetime success and plays a large role in explaining job search and career behaviors and outcomes.
Research shows that the same elements that make a student confident in their academics in college and confident in their sense of belonging in college also helps them achieve quality outcomes after college. At Braven, we measure growth in these two constructs: "Academic Confidence" and "Sense of Social and Academic Fit."
Braven Launches Career
Communities to Support
Ongoing Skill and Networking Building
During the Accelerator course, Fellows join Career Communities that provide them with more personalized content for their desired careers, connected to the demands of a competitive labor market and different expectations across industries.
These six Career Communities and 15 career channels offer Fellows relevant resources, tools, learning experiences, networking, and opportunities to support them on their career journey through college graduation and into a strong first job or graduate school. Fellows can join up to two Career Communities.
"From my experience, I have significantly enhanced my professional life. Through National Louis Univeristy and Braven, I was provided with essential skills and knowledge that have been crucial for my career development.”
– Ruth Anderson
Communities & Channels
New Skill-Building Resource
for Graduating Seniors:
Ready to Launch Bootcamp
In Spring 2024, Braven piloted a set of whole-day bootcamps for graduating seniors who had not landed a strong post-graduate job by March.
In Spring 2024, Braven piloted a set of whole-day bootcamps for graduating seniors who had not landed a strong post-graduate job by March.
One was virtual and open to all regions, and two others were in-person (one in Atlanta and one in New York City).
The goal of the workshops were for students to begin applying to jobs during the day, feel confident in their ability to do so, and leave with a clear plan of how to conduct their job search.
Are we building employer and higher education partnerships with true shared value?
EMPLOYER SPOTLIGHT:
"I can't imagine what my life would be if I had not taken the Braven course. Through the program I explored my strengths, passion, and what motivates me. I gained confidence and realized my potential to add value to any space I find myself while being authentic."
- Wendy Asante
This year, UBS became one of Braven's 18 partners that invest at least $100,000 and provide programmatic support.
Since 2017, UBS has been a Braven employer partner. The partnership has deepened each and every year.
Braven's collaboration with UBS helps open doors to the American promise.
"We believe in the power of scaled solutions to advance equitable economic opportunity for all to thrive through education and skills-building initiatives. With Braven, we’ve invested in some of our country’s most promising talent, and leveraged our firm’s best asset, our employees, to support students on their journey to post-college success."
– SARAH SALOMON,
Co-Head of UBS Social Impact & Philanthropy, US
"I believe in paying it forward. Growing up in a small town with limited opportunities, I was fortunate to have mentors who helped me reach new heights. Now, as a Leadership Coach at Braven, I am fortunate to be part of a company like UBS that allows me to be committed to giving back and empowering others to achieve their full potential."
– AARON GONZALEZ,
Braven Leadership Coach, Associate Director,
Business Analyst, UBS Private Wealth Management
Higher Education Spotlight:
Delaware State University
In January 2024, Braven launched a partnership with Delaware State University (DSU), our first public HBCU partner.
“I learned more than I expected and walked away with the skills and confidence that make me believe that I belong in any room and can succeed while I’m there as my authentic self."
– Na’ja Stokes
Minority Participation Research Internship
91
76
19
We Couldn't Do It Without You
Higher Education Partners & Employer Partners
Higher Education Partners
Chicago State University (BravenX)
City College of New York – CUNY
Delaware State University
Lehman College – CUNY (sunset summer 2024)
National Louis University
Northern Illinois University
Rutgers University - Newark
San Francisco State University (launched fall 2024)
San José State University
Spelman College
BravenX Partners
Achieve Atlanta
Ascend Public Schools
Chicago Scholars
Chicago State University
City Year
Coney Island Prep
Cooperman College Scholars
Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas
DSST Public Schools
Evanston Scholars
Excel Academy
Excellence Community Schools
Freedom Preparatory Academy Charter Schools
KIPP Forward
KIPP NJ
LISA Academy
Making Waves Education Foundation
National Association for Urban Debate Leagues
Newark Youth Career Pathways Program
Noble Schools
Rivet School
SEEDS
The Academy Charter School
The Wight Foundation
Uncommon Schools
Uplift Education
UtmostU
Employer Partners
LEAD
($250K+ and programmatic support)
Allstate
Apollo Global Management
Barclays
Capital One
Deloitte
LinkedIn
Morgan Stanley
NBA Foundation
Prudential Financial
Salesforce
ANCHOR
($100K+ and programmatic support)
Adobe
Anonymous
Clayton, Dubilier & Rice
Cognizant US Foundation
JPMorgan Chase
Northern Trust
The College Board
UBS
KEYSTONE
($25K+ and programmatic support)
Atlassian
Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance
Blackbaud
Brooks Brothers & The Golden Fleece Foundation
CIBC Bank USA
CME Group Foundation
M&T Bank
newark venture partners
Panasonic
Pathward N.A.
PwC
Stanley Black & Decker
Taco Bell Foundation
United Airlines
Wells Fargo
Western Digital
INNOVATION
($10K+ and programmatic support)
Blackstone
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey
IPG Health
J&L Companies
MEMX
Neuberger Berman
Okta
PEAK6
PierceGray
Rakuten International
WSFS Bank
IMPACT
($5K+ and programmatic support)
1Huddle
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Audible
Bain and Company
Cadent
CBRE
Choose New Jersey
Cisco
Cramer-Krasselt
Davis Polk
Eagle Capital Management
GEM Realty Capital
Georgia Pacific
GLG
Google
Hall Capital Partners
IQVIA
Jacobs Levy Equity Management
Kindle Communications
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
Marc Jacobs
McKinsey & Company
McMaster-Carr
Medline
Metro Atlanta Chamber
Micron
Montefiore Medical Center
Morningstar
Nerd Wallet
Progressive Pipeline
ServiceNow
Sutter Health
Synchrony Financial
Vanguard
Visa
Verizon
Workday
YES Network
Young Community Developers
Supporters (10K+)
A Better Chicago Fund, a Fund of the Robert R. McCormick Foundation
Abrams Foundation
Akila Grewal
Allan & Gill Gray Philanthropies
Allstate Foundation
Anonymous x9
Arbor Rising
Arrow Impact
Arthur & Toni Rembe Rock
Association for a Better New York (ABNY)
Barberry Foundation
Betty & Davis Fitzgerald Foundation
Bill Unger
Bloomberg Philanthropies
Carnegie Corporation of New York
Carroll & Milton Petrie Foundation
Charles & Helen Schwab Foundation
Charles & Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies
Charles Ashby Lewis & Penny Bender Sebring
Charles Hayden Foundation
Charter School Growth Fund
Cleveland Avenue Foundation for Education
College Futures Foundation
Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta
Crankstart Foundation
Crown Family Philanthropies
Cynthia A. Niekamp Foundation
David Cohen & Kristen Argo
Deloitte Foundation
ECMC Foundation
Ellie's Foundation Fund
Erol Foundation
Finnegan Family Foundation
Franklin & Catherine Johnson Foundation
Give Forward Foundation
Grace & Steve Voorhis
Gray Foundation
Greenbridge Family Foundation
Howard P Colhoun Family Foundation
Irene Esteves
James & Kaye Slavet
Jeffrey H. & Shari L. Aronson Family Foundation
John & Wendy Cozzi
John Greenwood
Kelly & Thom Mannard
Ken & Vicky Lang
Ken Ohashi & Adam Freed Family
Leon & Toby Cooperman Family Foundation
Leslie Family Foundation
Linda & Brian Sterling
Lindmor Fund
Lisa & Joseph Amato
Longwood Foundation
Mansueto Foundation
McCance Family Foundation
M&T Weiner Foundation
Marc & Jeanne Malnati Family Foundation
Meghan Mackay & Allen Thorpe
Michael & Susan Dell Foundation
MR Macgill
Mr. & Mrs. Richard Witmer, Jr.
Muriello Family Giving Fund
New Profit, Inc.
Osa Foundation
Paula Sneed & Lawrence Bass
Paul M. Angell Family Foundation
Peery Foundation
Prosper Road Foundation
René Kern Family Foundation
Richard & Susan Braddock
Robert Mize & Isa White Trimble Family Foundation
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Ron & Kathy Sonenethal
Sandy & Jim Reynolds
Sarah Peter
Schreiber Philanthropy
Schultz Family Foundation
Shellye Archambeau
Siegel Family Endowment
Silicon Valley Social Venture Fund (SV2)
Siragusa Family Foundation
Sobrato Family Foundation
Square One Foundation
Steve Mandel
Strada Foundation
Stupski Foundation
Susan & Thomas Dunn
Tammy & Bill Crown
The 1954 Project
The Carson Family Charitable Trust
The Ichigo Foundation
The John P. & Anne Welsh McNulty Foundation
The Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund
The Mayer & Morris Kaplan Family Foundation
The MCJ Amelior Foundation
The Molly Blank Fund of The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation
Tipping Point Community
Tull Foundation
Valhalla Foundation
Victoria Foundation
Vivo Foundation
Walton Family Foundation
William and Charlene Glikbarg Foundation
Yield Giving
Younger Family Fund
BravenX Addendum
2023-2024 BravenX Fellows
19 Qualtrics: What is a good Net Promoter Score?
All-Time BravenX Impact
BravenX Partners
Spotlight: Achieve Atlanta
Achieve Atlanta’s vision for Atlanta is a city where race and income no longer predict postsecondary success and upward mobility. Over 1,500 Achieve Atlanta Scholars have graduated from college, and Braven is proud to partner with Achieve Atlanta to support their Scholars to achieve their goals in college and career. Since 2022, we’ve worked with Achieve Atlanta to provide access to BravenX for more than 60 Achieve Atlanta Scholars, no matter the college they attend.
"Achieve Atlanta's partnership with Braven reflects the alignment of our missions to elevate and support our Scholars to achieve their wildest dreams. Through our collaboration, we have supported four cohorts of Scholars through the BravenX program. As a result, they have developed the knowledge, skills, and network critical to navigating their unique path to upward mobility."
- Susanne Diggs-Wilborn
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
"Braven helped me figure out what company would match my personality and career goals."
-Donovan Gill
Delaware Addendum:
Going Deeper into our First Semester of Operations at DSU
2023-2024 Braven
Delaware State University Fellows
21 Qualtrics: What is a good Net Promoter Score?
Braven Partners with
Capital One on Capstone Challenge
Braven partners with incredible organizations each semester to collaborate on the Capstone Challenge, the final project in the Braven course where Fellows use design thinking to develop solutions to real-world challenges companies are facing. This past semester nearly 450 Fellows from Delaware State University, and BravenX sites partnered with Capital One.
How might Capital One reimagine
electronic payment systems for college students?
"Our partnership with Braven has been an incredibly rewarding experience. The program provided a unique opportunity for our company to collaborate with a diverse group of promising young students. The students approached the real-world business problem we presented with unparalleled energy and remarkable ability to think big. Their innovative ideas and enthusiasm have inspired the Capital One team and we are proud to support an initiative that accelerates the potential of these bright minds and look forward to continuing our collaboration."
- Rudy Antonini
"The Braven Accelerator Course at Delaware State University was amazing! The Capstone Challenge surprised me with how much freedom we had to get creative. My favorite part was definitely seeing our teamwork pay off as our design came together. I am so grateful for this opportunity to gain new friends, leadership skills, and tons of learnings that I can't wait to use in my future career."
-Yasmeen Olass