Student U

08/31/2026

The World Cup came to Summer Academy! ⚽🌎 For Olympic Day, each Student U “family” represented a different country as students took the field for games, team challenges, and plenty of friendly competition.

From cheering on teammates to giving every challenge their all, our students showed what can happen when joy and teamwork share the field. 🏆

08/15/2026

Twenty summers. One unforgettable celebration. 🎂✨

The Student U community showed up to celebrate two decades of students dreaming fearlessly, families believing deeply, educators investing fully, and a community that keeps showing up.

We danced. We ate an impressive amount of hot dogs, pizza, and tacos. We bounced, painted faces, floated bubbles, took some iconic 360 photos, walked through 20 years of memories, and, of course, ate birthday cake. 🎉

But the best part? Seeing students, families, alumni, teachers, supporters, and community partners all in one place. That’s what 20 years of Student U looks like.

Whether you celebrated with us at The W.G. Pearson Center or have supported Student U in one of a hundred other ways over the years, you are part of this story.

Thank you for 20 incredible summers, Durham. 💛 Here’s to the next 20. 🎓✨

08/14/2026

D.C. was giving big dreams, big adventures, and even bigger gift shop hauls! 🏛️🛍️ Some of our rising seniors hit the road in June for their Big Trip to Washington, D.C. They toured Howard University and the U.S. Capitol, explored museums and monuments along the National Mall, visited the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, and fueled up with ramen and soup dumplings in Chinatown. Thank you to our adult leaders on this trip who equally inspired and wrangled on this adventure.

08/12/2026

Valedictorian today. Tar Heel tomorrow. 🐏🎓 Rosa Gonzalez Granados has balanced academics, soccer, college applications, and plenty of big dreams. Through it all, Student U stayed connected, offering encouragement and support that worked with her busy life.
Now, Rosa is headed to UNC-Chapel Hill to study Business Administration and explore sports management. Read how her family, friends, and Student U community helped her find her place and prepare for what comes next.

https://hubs.la/Q04qG5QG0

Thank you to Communications Intern Amy Hyde for writing this story!

Finding Her Place: Rosa Gonzalez Granados Reflects on Her Student U Journey For high school graduate Rosa Gonzalez Granados, Student U has never been defined by how often she has walked through the doors of the W.G. Pearson Center. Instead, it was the people who consistently checked in and adapted t...

08/10/2026

What do you want to be when you grow up? Turns out, there are a lot of options! 💼✨ In July, professionals from a variety of industries joined us for Career Day, giving our middle and high school students an inside look at different careers and the many paths they can take to reach their goals. Thank you to every volunteer who shared their time, experience, and advice!

What was your dream job when you were growing up? Tell us in the comments!

08/08/2026

Clear vision, clear path! 👓✨ Each summer, Student U Health Days connect students and families with free eye exams, eyeglasses, and physicals for school, sports, and employment. By helping remove barriers like cost and transportation, our partners help students stay healthy, confident, and ready to thrive.

Thank you to Durham Tech, In Her Vision, and the City of Medicine Volunteer Corps for making care more accessible to our families!

08/06/2026

In July, Student U students took their college dreams on tour! 🎓 They explored campuses across the Triangle and Triad, experienced new communities, and imagined all the possibilities ahead.

Stops included NCCU, William Peace University, UNC-Chapel Hill, NC A&T, Duke University, the NC Museum of Natural Sciences, and the Ackland Art Museum.

Comment with a 🎓 and your alma mater to show our students where college dreams can lead!

08/04/2026

Durham Public Schools counselors and social workers joined us for lunch to learn more about Student U’s impact and program model. We also listened to school leaders share how we can better support Durham students and meet their evolving needs.

08/02/2026

Twenty years. One incredible community. 💙 To everyone who celebrated with us, thank you.

Thank you for cheering on students.
Thank you for sharing memories.
Thank you for believing that joy and academic excellence belong together.

Our 20th Anniversary wasn't just about looking back. It was about celebrating a community that continues to show up for students and imagining what's possible in the years ahead.

Here's to the next chapter, and to every student whose brilliance is still unfolding.

We couldn't do this without you. 💛

07/31/2026

Tomorrow we celebrate 20 years of believing in students. 💙
Tomorrow isn't just a birthday party. It's a celebration of every student who discovered their voice. Every educator who showed up. Every family that trusted us. Every partner who believed in what was possible.

If you're joining us, we can't wait to celebrate together.

See you tomorrow! 🎉Saturday, Aug 1 from 11 AM - 2 PM