2024
Our Mission
Mission Scholars uses comprehensive college admissions guidance, mentorship, and career development training to help exceptional, low-income students reach their full potential and become a force for change in our communities.
COLLEGE
ACCESS
Delivering unparalleled support on the journey to higher education.
Natalie Begins Eight-Year Medical Track at Brown with 3% Acceptance Rate
94%
enrolled in four-year universities
822
college acceptances to schools nationwide
38
colleges and universities attended by Scholars in nine states
COLLEGE
AFFORDABILITY
Eliminating financial barriers through strategic scholarship acquisition.
Anelle Top 30 Awarded in Southern California $50,000 Edison Scholarship
>85%
of cost of attendance covered by scholarships and grants annually
Top Merit Scholars:
3rd Gates Scholar in five years
1st Girls Inc. National Scholar
1st Edison Scholar
$1.4 Million in scholarships awarded to the Class of 2024
for freshman year of college, totaling an estimated $5.4 Million across four years
COLLEGE
SUCCESS
Empowering futures from college to career success.
Kashaf Babson ‘27 Interns at State Farm through Internship Matching Program
92%
on track to graduate college in four years
100%
college freshman persistence rate
70%
secured paid summer jobs and internships in 2024, at Apple, Nationwide, UBS, Freedom 4 Youth, Penn Medicine and more
Letter From the Director
Dear Friends of Mission Scholars,
As I reflect on the past year, I am proud to celebrate a remarkable journey of growth and commitment with the Mission Scholars community. Here are a few highlights I am excited to share with you:
This year, our inaugural cohort – the high school Class of 2020 – graduated from college, marking a significant milestone in their lives and for our organization. We are thrilled for these graduates, and are gratified to see them continue their association with Mission Scholars as alumni mentors, sharing their experiences and inspiring our younger Scholars to pursue what they thought unimaginable.
In our efforts to more fully involve our Scholars’ families in their educational journey, we have expanded our parent and guardian engagement programming. We have strengthened our bilingual workshops focused on college admission and financial aid, empowering parents with the knowledge required to support their children’s aspirations. This initiative has fostered a stronger sense of community and collaboration among our families.
Our delivery is made possible by the steadfast support from our corporate partners and dedicated volunteers, who continue to create invaluable opportunities for our Scholars.
Through comprehensive workshops on financial literacy and professional development, along with personalized guidance on college applications and essays, our extensive network is equipping our Scholars with the skills they need to successfully navigate their unique pathways.
As our organization continues to grow, we are fortunate to have a dedicated team of staff members who care deeply about bridging the gap in college access, affordability, and success for students in our community. Together, we remain committed to our mission, and we look forward to the exciting opportunities that lie ahead.
Thank you for your continued support of and belief in our mission. Your contributions have been critical in enabling our Scholars to achieve their academic and career goals. Together, we are creating permanent change in Santa Barbara, and we are making a profound difference in the lives of low-income students in our community.
Thank you,
Cassie Lancaster
Executive Director
In the News
MISSION SCHOLARS FOUNDERS NAMED LOCAL HEROES OF THE YEAR 2023
– Santa Barbara Independent
GRADUATION CELEBRATION MILESTONE REACHED WITH FIRST COLLEGE GRADUATES
– Noozhawk
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS GET A JUMP START THROUGH UCSB SUMMER RESEARCH PROGRAMS
– Santa Barbara Independent
Presenting the First Mission
Scholars College Graduates
100% of alumni would recommend Mission Scholars to a younger sibling or peer.
Alumni Leading the Next Generation
In May of 2024, the Mission Scholars inaugural cohort earned their college degrees and returned to the Mission Scholars office as volunteers and leaders. These alumni, having just navigated the challenges of higher education themselves, now serve as College Coaches and workshop leaders, providing invaluable mentorship and firsthand experience to younger Scholars.
This peer-to-peer guidance helps to ensure a smoother transition to college, fostering a sense of belonging and continuity within the Mission Scholars family. This cycle of giving back strengthens our mission and reflects the strength and sustainability of our organization.
Kathy Leads as Keynote Speaker
As a graduate from the University of Southern California’s Viterbi School of Engineering, Kathy Ramirez-Gijon led as the keynote speaker at our 3rd Annual Leaders in Transition (LIT) Kickoff in July, hosted by Sensata Technologies.
Kathy inspired the Scholars headed to college, speaking to the power of mentorship and networking to grow their career and internship opportunities.
Christian Mentors Freshman Jonathan
After earning a dual degree in Computer Science and Cognitive Science at UC Berkeley, Christian Reyes Santos meets his mentee, Jonathan Ortega, a first-year at the University of Redlands studying Environmental Science.
As an essential part of the College Success program, College Coaches and Mentees check in regularly for four years to set goals, tackle obstacles, and celebrate milestones.
Jennifer Serves the Local Community
As a graduate from the University of Redlands with a degree in Sociology, Jennifer Reveles secured a full-time position in her field of expertise at the Family Service Agency of Santa Barbara as a Family Coach.
Jennifer is applying the knowledge she gained in college to make significant contributions supporting vulnerable families locally in Santa Barbara County.
College to Career Spotlight
Bella Launches Career at Electronic Arts
Five years ago, Bella Garfias couldn’t have imagined she’d be working as an Associate Researcher at Electronic Arts (EA). Back in high school, the college application process felt overwhelming, and building a career path seemed insurmountable. As a Business and Marketing major at the University of San Diego, Bella searched for internships, and through her participation in the Mission Scholars College Success Program, she was introduced to Chris Bruzzo, then Chief Experience Officer at EA and current Mission Scholars Board President. Impressed by her potential, Bruzzo recommended EA’s internship program, noting, “Bella personifies first-generation determination, and the partnership with Mission Scholars and EA was like striking a match to kindling.”
Through the Mission Scholars and EA partnership, Bella secured two consecutive internships in EA Esports Content Strategy and Consumer Insights, where she analyzed competitive brands and player perceptions. She embraced the opportunity, confident in her marketing skills and supported by her team.
Now, Bella is leveraging her experiences as a first-generation college graduate and a full-time employee at a global corporation to give back. She has returned to lead Mission Scholars workshops, guiding the next generation of college students with invaluable insights. Recently at a Mission Scholars-EA “Mentorship Hour,” EA employees provided professional guidance to Mission Scholars college students, and Bella was front and center—not as a student, but as an EA professional, offering guidance to her younger peers. Reflecting on her new role at Mission Scholars, Bella remarks, “Leading the next generation of Mission Scholars students is an incredibly rewarding experience, especially as I was in their shoes not too long ago. Being someone who has been in their position gave me a unique perspective on how to better guide and support them.”
Bella’s journey underscores the transformative power of mentorship and the profound impact of investing in Santa Barbara’s future leaders.
From Scholar to Staff Member:
Kristine Joins the Mission Scholars Team
This fall, Kristine Carrillo, a senior at Brown University studying Education Studies and International and Public Affairs, took a big step in her professional career by joining the Mission Scholars team as a College Success Coordinator. Kristine has a breadth of experience interning at Mission Scholars, the New England Board of Higher Education, the Bonner Foundation, and the Education Department at Brown. By joining our team, Kristine is fulfilling our mission by leading her peers and inspiring future generations to follow in her footsteps.
Who We Are
Staff
Cassie Lancaster
Katie Kinsella
Jacqueline Mora
Yazmín Vega Escalera
Paige Brenner Eubank
Shyra Jain
Kristine Carrillo
Mayra Mena Nolasco
Ramey Echt
Daphne Tebbe
Advisory Committee
Kim Phillips
Chris Bruzzo
Julia Rodgers
Estefania Contreras
Fhernanda Del Toro Arroyo
Julie McGeever
Danna McGrew
Development Committee
Joe Howell
Debby Peterson
Judi Koper
Daphne Tebbe
Julia Rodgers
Bess Scribner
Debby Peterson
Suzanne Garrett
Rachael Stein
Sheri Copus
Angie McGrath
Lizzie Peus
Mary Blair
Volunteers
Abel Flores Prieto
Adrianna Ruiz
Alejandra Gutierrez
Alex Koper
Alex Regan
Aliyah Brown
Allie Kelleher
Amber Wolfe
Andy Gersoff
Angelie Morales
Ann Johannessen
Arash Merpour
Bella Garfias
Dr. Ben Diener
Bianca Castro
Bob Nuñez
Brett Zylstra
Brianna Aguilar
Brody McGonigal
Cameron Walker
Carla Perissinotto
Carla Neufeldt
Carli Cearnal
Carolyn Callahan
Chris Eubank
Christian Reyes Santos
Christian Arce
Christina Nuñez Ross
Darlene James
Dawn Carlson
Devon Nelson
Diana Ciontea
Dianne Dixon
Elijah Marquez
Dr. Elizabeth Grossman
Emily Waterhouse
Emmitt Jenkins
Eric Reyes
Erin Leighland
Geno Rojas
Haley Araki
Hannah Rael
Holly Noble
Hope Saxon
Hugo Dante
Jackie Navarette
Janice Brown
Jasmin Ramirez
Javier Castro
Jeanmarie Levy
Jenny Kramer
Jeremy Alvarez
Joe O’Brien
Josh Timpe
Kait Hamilton
Kaleen Baker
Karla Herera
Kate Jeffery
Kate Lee
Katherine Stewart
Katherine Marton
Kathy Marden
Kathy Ramirez-Gijon
Kevin Easter
Kimberly Klawuh
Kirsten Kinsella
Kyra Rogers
Libby Paternoster
Dr. Lindsay Katona
Liz Salgado
Lizette Serrato
Madeleine Francavilla
Margot Dorion
Mari Mender
Merith Velasquez
Michelle Berkowitz
Michelle Brenner
Mike Randolph
Miles Maasen
Miranda Nichols
Monica Alvarez
Nancy Zermeño
Nathalie Perez-Cino
Nathan Alvarez
Dr. Nicole Callahan
Nicole Hyslop Allen
Oscar Gutierrez
Oz Arconian
Pamela VanderHeide
Rachel Skokowski
Ridley DeSoto
Sam Molina
Sami Weiss
Shane Holt
Sharon Basham
Stephanie Durkin
Susan McMillan
Teresa Bruzzo
Tracy Jenkins
Vanessa Herrera
Vanessa Alvarez
Violet Casillas
Viollette Meneffee
Wendy Santillan
Westmont Liberal Arts Ambassadors
Zoe Hinck
Zuma Vallejo-Howard
Community Partnerships
Our work is possible thanks to the crucial support of our community connections and partnerships, including:
American Riviera Bank
Carpinteria Unified School District
Deckers Brands
Electronic Arts
Goleta Education Foundation
Heritage House
Housing Authority of Santa Barbara
Launch Generation
Montecito Bank & Trust
Next Gen Personal Finance
Partners In Education
Patagonia
PEAC Foundation
Pepperdine’s Youth Citizenship Seminar
Pete Muller & The Kindred Souls
REACH Fellowship
Santa Barbara School of Squash
Santa Barbara Unified School District
Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara
Sensata Technologies
Smith Rivas
Sonos, Inc
Turner Foundation
Tutoring Machines LLC
UCSB Arts & Lectures
UCSB Promise Scholars
UCSB Pre-College Programs
Westmont College
YouthWell
Community Partnership Spotlight
When we founded Mission Scholars, the Santa Barbara Education Foundation served as our valued fiscal sponsor, offering essential administrative support and guidance that allowed us to focus on our mission and expand our impact. The growth and success of Mission Scholars is deeply rooted in the unwavering support that the Santa Barbara Education Foundation offered from the very beginning. We are profoundly grateful for their support.
This summer, three Mission Scholars students participated in Cottage Health’s paid Internship Program in the Education, Surgery, and Finance Departments, showcasing the power of hands-on training in their fields of study. Cottage Health’s commitment to nurturing future professionals provides our students with valuable experience, connecting academic knowledge to real-world application. This is the product of a two-year collaboration with Cottage Health staff and local physicians advocating for our students to secure meaningful paid internships in healthcare.
“Witnessing surgeries firsthand in my internship has not only been inspiring, but also deepened my passion for potentially pursuing a career in surgery.”
– Adrian, Westmont College ‘27
The Future is Bright
Meet the Class of 2024!
