Update on AchieveMpls Programs During COVID-19

Check out these important program updates below and learn how we're working to ensure equity and access to career and college readiness support and opportunities during COVID-19.

Career & College Centers / Career Pathway Centers

Our career and college readiness coordinators in 19 Minneapolis and Saint Paul public high schools are busy providing student-centered, culturally responsive career and college advising that equips students to begin a path toward purposeful, life-enriching careers. Our centers are humming with activity and workshops and classroom lessons are back in action. With our school partners, we're also continuing to address the ongoing effects of COVID-19 on student mental health, engagement and access to career and postsecondary opportunities. For more information, contact Kendra Engels.  

Career Exploration Event Volunteers

With the ongoing disruption of COVID-19, we are hosting very limited career events with volunteers this year while we focus on students' immediate needs and take time to evaluate how our career events can best support their learning and career interest development. We are thankful for our dedicated volunteers and appreciate your patience as we assess and strengthen this programming in coming months. Sign up for our mailing list to be notified when our volunteer opportunities have resumed.

Achieve College Internships

We’re seeking employers for next summer’s Achieve College Internships program, which provides career-building opportunities for college juniors – including former Step Up participants and African American male scholars – who are underrepresented in our companies and local college internship programs. The program connects students with professional career opportunities and mentoring, and helps employers strengthen their recruitment and retention of talented students. Our application deadline for interns for summer 2022 has passed. To find out how you can become an employer, contact Jeremiah Brown.

Step Up Youth Employment Program

Recruitment for this summer's Step Up Youth Employment Program is now underway for youth participants and employers. During COVID-19, Step Up has connected hundreds of Minneapolis youth with great career opportunities through work readiness training, paid virtual and in-person internships at local employers and a paid online career exploration program. The online application for youth participants is now open until February 17.  To learn how you can become a Step Up employer this summer, contact Ashley Grell.

Minneapolis Public Schools Funds: Scholarships, Staff and Classroom Grants, School Funds

As the nonprofit foundation for MPS, AchieveMpls manages over $1 million in funds that benefit schools, staff, classrooms and students. These include small grants for staff development and classroom projects, funds that are designated for specific MPS schools and programs, and college scholarships for MPS seniors. Learn more about these funds and how they support the MPS community.

AchieveMpls Public Engagement Events

RSVP for our next EDTalks on January 19, which will focus on how PSEO (dual enrollment) can be a powerful tool to close education equity gaps and reduce student debt. Speakers include Maria Wright, director of dual enrollment at St. Cloud State University and a former PSEO participant at South High School; and Asiya Browne and Zeke Jackson, University of Minnesota students and leaders in People for PSEO, For more information, reach out to Heidi Johnson.

AchieveMpls Resource Development

We welcome your financial gifts as we work to ensure that students stay on track with their career and college planning and can continue to access the resources, connections and opportunities they need to make a solid plan for life after high school. Your investment in our students lasts a lifetime and also strengthens our families and local communities. For more information on our programs or making a gift, contact Jennifer McGee at 612-455-1552.

For More Information

For all other questions, contact info@achievempls.org. Thank you for your support and partnership!