About

Take America to College is bringing the stories and struggles of ‘nontraditional’ college students to leaders in Washington. Through our seven-part video series, we’re giving these students a chance to convey what it really takes to finish college in America.  ‘Nontraditional’ students make up 75% of college students in the United States. This is their chance to be heard.

The Back Story:

  • Take America to College puts out a call to non-traditional students to submit videos telling their tale of the road to college completion.
  • Hundreds of students record and share their stories, many uploading videos to YouTube via the Take America to College site.
  • America is asked to watch the videos and vote for their favorites. Based on the online voting one finalist is chosen.
  • The other EIGHT finalists are selected by the Take America to College PRODUCERS.
  • Each of the eight receives a Kodak video camera, and proceeds to film his or her own life.
  • Based on this footage, five are chosen to star in the series.
  • The team assembles in Washington D.C. to talk to policymakers about their struggle to complete college.
  • Out of this combination of self-filmed and professionally filmed video, the producers craft the web series “Degrees of Difficulty” which airs on USATODAY’s site beginning 5/24/2010.

Meet the team:

Dennis Medina, a Boston police officer chosen for the team in an online contest.

Kathryn McCormick, a single parent and full-time waitress, studying to become a physician assistant.

Shane Burrows, a sales assistant having trouble completing his degree because of California’s budget crisis.

Brandon Krapf, an Iraq war veteran, now in the Army reserves and a senior at American University, in Washington, D.C.

Charnee Ball, a Navy veteran who wants to be an aviation mechanic. She is not receiving GI benefits because she was discharged under the Pentagon’s “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy.

All press, content and technical inquiries should be directed toward:
TakeAmerica2College@gmail.com.
Take America to College is produced by Purple States®