NOV 8 IS NATIONAL FIRST-GEN COLLEGE CELEBRATION DAY

We’re so proud of our first-generation college students and graduates who are breaking barriers and reaching new heights. To date, Breakthrough has celebrated more than 500 college graduates, with nearly 3,700 more students following in their footsteps. Let’s honor their hard work and determination!

Become a Friend of First-Gen With Your Sustaining Support

Our Most Ambitious Campaign Yet: Pathways to Opportunity

We are thrilled to share a historic milestone for Breakthrough Central Texas: the official launch of our Pathways to Opportunity Campaign, a $30 million accelerator fund to unlock the power of education and expand opportunity for thousands more Central Texas students.

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2024 Impact Report: Just Released

 From first-gen milestones to a brand-new HQ, 2024 was a year of growth, resilience, and community-powered transformation.

We’re proud to share the moments that shaped 2024 — and the incredible students, families, and partners who made it all possible. Read more on our 2024 Impact Report and celebrate what we’ve built together.

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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Nyja Harris, Huston-Tillotson University

“When people ask me about my Breakthrough experience, I put it simply: Breakthrough shows up. They show up every day, every week, every month, every year. They are like those superhero movies with heroes in costumes walking in slow motion, but they aren’t going to fight some pretend villain. They are real people who show up to help real people like me.”

Meet Nyja

Breakthrough is the leading college access and success nonprofit in Central Texas.

For more than 20 years, we have partnered with thousands of middle and high school students who aspire to be the first in their family to graduate with a degree or certificate. We make a radical, long-term commitment to students, to and through college, unlocking the power of education and a lifetime of opportunity. We support the whole student with personalized services, work closely with community partners, campuses, and employers, and advocate for our students with lawmakers.

Nearly 60% of Breakthrough students graduate with a diploma or certificate, compared to 14% of high school graduates from low-income communities in our region.

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My Breakthrough Experience: Da’Keona Jones

My name is Da’Keona Jones, an Austin native through and through. I am a proud first-generation college graduate from Texas State University. I'm here to tell you how Breakthrough shined the light on doors my family and I had yet to discover. A bit about me: I have 2...
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My Breakthrough Experience: Jeremiah Thompson

My name is Jeremiah Thompson. Now, let’s all go on a journey together. Think back to that weird time called sixth grade. Do you remember that? I got a picture taken the moment Breakthrough came into my life in May 2013, and I was an awkward, gangly, insecure 6th...
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First-Gen College Celebration Day Toolkit

Social Media  The Breakthrough Central Texas community is invited to show their first-gen pride through social media platforms on First-Gen College Celebration Day on November 8. We invite you to share your support and recognize the experiences of first-generation...
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Our Most Ambitious Campaign Yet: Pathways to Opportunity

Dear Breakthrough Community, On behalf of our Board of Trustees, campaign leadership, and staff, I am thrilled to announce a historic milestone for Breakthrough Central Texas: the public launch of our Pathways to Opportunity Campaign. Through this $30 million...
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Class of 2025

Over 90 Breakthrough college grads were honored at Breakthrough’s 2025 Grad Fest. The event celebrated the life-changing achievement each student set out to accomplish back in middle school: to become a first-generation college graduate. Thanks to the generosity of the Breakthrough community, now more than 500 students have walked this path—with thousands more to follow.

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A Historic Milestone: Breakthrough’s Schoolwide Program Celebrates First graduating class at Eastside Early College High School (ECHS)

Breakthrough hosted “Your Journey, Your Future,” at Eastside Early College High School (Eastside ECHS) to commemorate the graduation of 146 students from the organization’s Schoolwide Program who receive comprehensive, year-round postsecondary advising. The “Your...
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UPCOMING EVENTS

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