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Monday 9am - 5pm Tuesday 9am - 5pm Wednesday 9am - 5pm Thursday 9am - 5pm Friday 9am - 4pm

Student U

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Student U is a community organization that uses the power of education, advocacy, and leadership to

We empower and equip first-generation college students in Durham Public Schools, their families, and their educators to become the leaders that will transform our city for the better. We support this transformation with an approach that combines three key elements: our whole-families approach to college access and success programming; our place as an innovation hub for developing and sharing best practices in education; and our commitment to supporting student- and family-led advocacy and change efforts in our city. Together, we’re creating a Durham where all students succeed.

10/16/2026

This is some serious Student U brilliance. 🌟Congratulations to Ms. Tracey Barrett, Social Studies teacher at Asheville High School, who has been named the 2026 North Carolina History Teacher of the Year by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History! Before moving to Asheville, Ms. Barrett spent several summers as a Summer Academy teacher and many years as a High School Advocate. Learn more about this special award here: https://hubs.la/Q04yQqkN0

Ms. Barrett brings history beyond the textbook through hands-on learning and civic engagement, from Black History Walking Tours to opportunities for students to engage directly with elected officials and make their voices heard.

As North Carolina’s honoree, Ms. Barrett is now a finalist for the National History Teacher of the Year! We are incredibly proud to have Ms. Barrett as part of the Student U community and even prouder to see the impact she continues to make for young people. Congratulations, Ms. Barrett! 💙

10/14/2026

🚨 We have an $80,000 match to unlock, and we need your help!

Right now, eligible gifts to Student U can be matched dollar for dollar, up to $80,000. That means your gift could have TWICE the impact for Student U students.

💛 $25 can become $50
💛 $50 can become $100
💛 $100 can become $200

Don’t let these matching dollars go unused.

If you’re new to giving to Student U within the past three fiscal years, your entire gift can be matched. Already a supporter? Increase your gift, and we'll match your increase.

Together, we can unlock the full $80,000 and turn it into even more support and opportunities for Student U students.

🔗 Give now at https://hubs.la/Q04y7V4P0.

10/12/2026

We love seeing Student U educators doing BIG things in their classrooms and communities! 👏A huge congratulations to Mr. MarQuay Spencer-Gibbs, an educator at Ligon Magnet Middle School, who was named WRAL Teacher of the Week! You might know Mr. Spencer-Gibbs from his summers as a Summer Academy teacher, his role as a former Middle School Advocate, or his work as one of our current High School Academic Coaches.

Watch the WRAL story about Mr. Spencer-Gibbs’ award: https://hubs.la/Q04yQq7c0

We know the impact a great educator can have on a young person, and we’re so proud to see his work with students recognized and celebrated. Congratulations, Mr. Spencer-Gibbs! The entire Student U community is cheering you on. 💙

10/09/2026

Plan for what’s next at Mi Éxito, Mi Camino on October 10 from 12:30-4 p.m. Student U will be there for this FREE bilingual (English/Spanish) event for middle and high school students and their families.

Connect with colleges and universities, community organizations, employers, and other resources that can help students explore their options and plan for the future.

Come see us and start imagining what’s possible! 💫

Register here >> https://hubs.la/Q04zbJzS0

Mi Éxito, Mi Camino is hosted by the Emily Krzyzewski Center Game Plan: Future program in collaboration with the North Carolina Society of Hispanic Professionals, LatinxEd, and UNC Greensboro.

10/08/2026

Back-to-school season has been busy well beyond Durham. Our Community Schools partners have been welcoming students, families, educators, and neighbors back in ways that remind us that schools are more than buildings. They are part of communities.

At W.B. Wicker Elementary School in Lee County, staff started the year with a community bus tour. Educators climbed aboard two buses and traveled through the neighborhoods their students call home, creating an opportunity to see the community through their students’ perspectives and have deeper conversations about the experiences families bring to school each day.

In Roseboro, nearly 400 people joined the Lakewood District Community School Cookout. Food, a foam party, water from the fire trucks, and plenty of fun brought families and neighbors together to celebrate the start of another school year.

And in Columbus County, our team joined the Back-to-School Event at Southeastern Community College, connecting families with resources alongside community partners, music, performances, and a fantastic turnout.

Different communities, different celebrations, same big idea: when schools, families, and communities work together, students have more people and resources supporting their success.

10/06/2026

✨ Your gift could go TWICE as far for Student U students. Right now, eligible donations to Student U are being matched dollar for dollar, up to $80,000!

💛 Give $25 → it can become $50
💛 Give $50 → it can become $100
💛 Give $100 → it can become $200

How does the match work? If you’re new to giving to Student U within the past three fiscal years, your entire gift can be matched. If you already support Student U and increase your gift, the additional amount can be matched.

Every gift helps Student U students access the academic support, trusted relationships, and opportunities they need to reach their goals. And right now, your generosity can have twice the impact.

🔗 Double your impact today at https://hubs.la/Q04y7TBK0.

10/02/2026

Your donation could go twice as far ✌️ Right now, all donations to Student U can be matched dollar for dollar, up to $80,000.

If you’re new to giving to Student U within the past three fiscal years, your entire gift can be matched. Already a supporter and increasing your gift? The amount of your increase can be matched.

That means $25 can become $50. $100 can become $200. And together, those gifts add up to more opportunities and support for Student U students.

Give today at https://hubs.la/Q04y7T1r0.

You can also give by check mailed to 600 E. Umstead http://St., Durham, NC 27701, through a Donor-Advised Fund, or with a gift of stock. Student U’s EIN is 27-3460491.

09/30/2026

Now THAT is how you kick off a new year. Our Back to YRP Open House & Resource Fair welcomed 262 Student U students, including 132 middle school students and 130 high school students. Add their families, and nearly 550 people joined us for an evening of reconnecting, finding resources, meeting staff, and getting ready for the year ahead.

And then it was time to get to work. Year-round programming and tutoring are officially underway, giving students a place to strengthen their academic skills, connect with trusted adults and peers, and keep working toward the goals they have set for themselves.

Seeing the W.G. Pearson Center filled with students and families again was a pretty great reminder of what makes this place special: the people.

09/26/2026

Is your child graduating from high school this year and planning to go to college or a university next fall? Now is the time to get ready for the FAFSA!

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is a free form that helps you find out what money may be available to help pay for college. This can include grants, scholarships, work-study jobs, and student loans.

FAFSA can feel confusing, but you don’t have to do it alone. Join us for Student U FAFSA Night! Students and families can get help with the FAFSA, ask questions, and take an important step toward paying for college.

October 1, 2026 | 4:00–7:30 PM
The W.G. Pearson Center

09/25/2026

Student U is hiring! Join a team of staff whose mission is to partner with our students, families, and educators to create a community that cultivates joy and academic excellence so all students thrive!

High School Program Coordinator
Application Deadline: Sept. 30

Position Overview:
The High School team currently consists of two High School Program Coordinators who work collaboratively to plan, implement, and evaluate our daily programming and summer program for 200 high school students & families. The ideal candidate for this position demonstrates a passion for Student U’s mission and core values, high school students, and working collaboratively towards student success. This position reports to the Chief Program Officer.

In partnership with additional Student U staff, the team implements new high school initiatives and develops ambitious goals and innovative ideas to push the high school program forward. One goal specific to this position is to grow and develop programming focused on students’ academic readiness for college. As a member of our full-time staff, the High School Program Coordinator participates in all staff meetings, professional development, and cross-departmental special projects.

Apply now - https://hubs.la/Q04yk-f70

Address

600 East Umstead Street
Durham, NC
27701

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 4pm

Website

http://www.studentudurham.org/

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