Opening Doors for Students Who Dare to Dream
Education First is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1995 to give ambitious, low-income youth the opportunity to succeed. Many talented students face obstacles they cannot overcome alone, challenges that could divert their path despite their hard work and determination. Our mission is simple yet powerful: provide scholarships, mentorship, and guidance to help students access higher education and break the cycle of poverty.
Over the years, we’ve grown into a nationwide organization, but our focus remains the same: leveling the playing field for students with potential.
Our Scholarship Recipients
We look beyond transcripts to support students who are often overlooked: first-generation college students, those balancing school, work, and family, and individuals who have overcome significant challenges while demonstrating resilience and determination.
Education First provides scholarships and hands-on mentorship, helping students not just afford college, but thrive in it. Every contribution helps open doors, build confidence, and change the trajectory of a student’s life. Together, we can ensure that financial barriers never limit a student’s chance to pursue their dreams.
National Board of Directors
Elaine Underwood
Board Chair
Christopher Bryan
Operations Officer
Savanah Miles
Fundraising and Events Director
Marcus Mayorga
Information Technology Director
Alexander Komyagin
Major Gifts Director
Stephanie Chu
Marketing and Social Media Director
Marggi Lowenberg
Scholar Communications Director
Mara Cogswell
Scholar Selection Director
Lily Bryan
Treasurer
Andrew Boggus
Volunteer Recruiting Director
Regional Board of Directors
Fariha Jahangir
Austin Regional Director
Kristen Fitzpatrick
Boston Regional Director
Chelsey Bogacz
Denver Regional Director
Nikki Win
Los Angeles Regional Director
Karen Birt
Portland Regional Director
Breana Benford
San Diego Regional Director
Diana Rosdahl
San Francisco Regional Director
Kyesha Pringle
Seattle Regional Director
Volunteers
Our volunteers contribute in a wide variety of ways. They select scholars, raise money, plan events, work on national initiatives, and more. Regardless of the activity, our volunteers work together as a team to make a difference.
- AJ Antun
- Alexa Valladares
- Alexandra Turnbull-Pletcher
- Alifiya Khericha
- Amanda Lovell
- Amanda Kell
- Amber Wagner
- Amy Labossiere
- Andra Kidd
- Andrew Jeong
- Angel Asuncion-Reed
- Anthony Patterson
- Anthony Chang
- Archana Dilip
- Arthur Yindeepholcharoen
- Ashley Seeley
- Ashley Landes
- Ashley Kim
- Ashley Harmon
- Ashley Botha
- Ashlyn Jackson
- Audrey Tyrrell
- Aundrea Dahl
- Barbara Johnson
- Bhasker Moorthy
- Briana Cree
- Brooke Beasley
- Calvin Fung
- Caylyn Harden
- Cecilia Piche
- Chelsea White
- Chloe Kan
- Chris Sanchez
- Christopher Elizalde
- Cindy Gasper
- Colby Gilbert
- Connie Xu
- Connor Dieck
- Craig Campbell
- Cuiyun Liu
- Dan Belcher
- Danielle Livshiz
- Darlene Vita
- Denise Pena
- Elyse Rast
- Emmanuel Bonga
- Eric Steinert
- Eugene Cheng
- Eva Ducharme
- Evan Rama
- Evelyn Wingard
- Fouad Yazbeck
- Gaby Dickerson-Ramirez
- Gerald Kidd
- Grace Todome
- Gustavo Velasquez
- Henry Love
- Hien Dao
- Jacob Shichman
- Jael Nyrasengimana
- Jake Archambo
- Jamala Gaither
- James Renteria
- Janet Beasley
- Janine McLaren
- Jared Bogacz
- Jennifer Lao
- Jennifer Katompa
- Jennifer Elwell
- Jennifer Branstetter
- Joyce Mensah
- Julia Ong
- Julie Lance
- Jun Choi
- Karen Holleman
- Karimi Njee
- Karishma Kumari
- Katherine Hartlove
- Kelli Terhune
- Kirt Leadbetter
- Kyla Foster
- Laila Mayorga
- Lauren Warren
- Lauren Caster
- Lilah Benford
- Lillian Seu
- Liza McKinnon
- Los Angeles Region
- Luis Perez
- Luke Beutjer
- Maggie Lee
- Meg Hofer
- Megan Moede
- Mia Alexander
- Michael Galathe
- Mike Kelley
- Moanam Khalid
- Natalie Kaldani
- Nathan Smith
- Nellie Rocha
- Nicholas Athanasiou
- Paola Doten
- Pat Thompson
- Patrick Johnston
- Paul Bruss
- Perry Montgomery
- Phu Phan
- Piers Donald
- Piriye Ebenezer
- Priyanka Mehta
- Qifei Li
- Rachel Kahn
- Rachitha Nagendra
- Reed Keltner
- Rhea Srivats
- Saad Hussain
- Sarah Locke-Henderson
- Sarah Duke
- Sarah Bruss
- Sarah Biondich
- Sayra Escobedo
- Scott Wu
- Sheila Vish
- Sidne Gregory
- Stacey Field
- Tamanna Nagpal
- Teresa Tseng
- Test Volunteer2
- Thida Sriwichain
- Udaya Lakshmi
- Veronica Ta
- Vicky Nganga
- Victoria Steiner
- Wayne Pua
- Xiaojie Qi
- Xumin Hu
- Yuli Arroyo
- Zane Carmean
Annual Reports
Education First is comprised of a diverse group of volunteers who work together toward a common goal: Improving the lives of disadvantaged students through college scholarships and coaching.
- 2025 Annual Report
- 2024 Annual Report
- 2021 Annual Report
- 2020 Annual Report
- 2019 Annual Report
- 2018 Annual Report
- 2017 Annual Report
- 2016 Annual Report
- 2015 Annual Report
- 2014 Annual Report
- 2013 Annual Report
- 2012 Annual Report
- 2011 Annual Report
- 2010 Annual Report
- 2009 Annual Report
- 2008 Annual Report
- 2007 Annual Report
- 2006 Annual Report
- 2005 Annual Report
- 2004 Annual Report
Address
4701 SW Admiral Way #149
Seattle, WA 98116
Phone
(206) 651-4807
Federal Tax ID
91-1699248