OUR MISSION

U-Lead Athens is a group of United, Unafraid, Undefeated, Un(der)documented Leaders in Athens, Georgia. Our goal is equal access to higher education for students of immigrant families who are in or have recently graduated from high school. As U-Lead students we pursue that goal, along with our public school, university, and community mentors and allies, by 1) studying for college entrance exams, 2) applying to colleges and scholarships that will accept students of varying documentation status, and 3) finding financial support for attending institutions of higher education.

OUR HISTORY

In August 2014, U-Lead Athens opened its doors with one goal: to empower youth to gain access to post-secondary education and help secure the funds to finance their dreams.

Un(der)documented students are banned from UGA and four other Georgia universities, and they must pay international rates (four times in-state tuition) at all other Georgia institutions of higher education, including community colleges.

U-lead has helped students accomplish quite a lot since opening in August 2014:

Our un(der)documented students are attending Agnes Scott, Athens Technical College, Berea College, Christian Brothers University, Delaware State University, Denison University, Eastern Connecticut State, Emory, Georgia Gwinnet, Illinois Institute of Technology, North Georgia Technical College, Piedmont College, Rhodes College, Smith College, Stetson University, Trinity Washington University, University of North Georgia, and Young Harris College; our first-generation citizens are attending Dartmouth, Georgia College and State University, Kennesaw State University, North Georgia Southern, Georgia Tech, Piedmont, Tufts, UGA, and UNG. We awarded 17 scholarships for 2015-2016, 24 scholarships for 2016-2017, and 42 scholarships for 2017-2018.
Over a dozen students have spoken at public events about immigration rights.
2 students testified at the State Capitol about the benefits of in-state tuition for DACA holders during the SB 44 hearing.
U-Lead students and mentors raised over $10,360 parking cars with our Oconee street UMC partners on UGA football Saturdays.
Educators for Fair Consideration awarded U-Lead a $20,000 matching funds grant for scholarships in 2016-2017 and a $35,000 matching funds grant for scholarships in 2017-2018.
Non-cash Donations: 1 computer, two printers, 30 SAT/ACT books, dinners from local restaurants and most of all the time of our mentors, with over 100 volunteers attending one or more times this past year.
Cash donations supported: SAT/ACT application fees and score submissions, college application fees, tuition and fees, college dorm deposits, computers, textbooks, and other college expenses.