Nonprofit Leadership Podcast: Empowering Students Through Education

Episode Overview In the March 26, 2025 episode of the Nonprofit Leadership Podcast, host Dr. Rob Harter engages in an insightful conversation with Yoon Choi, the CEO of College Spring. With over two decades of experience in nonprofit leadership, Yoon shares her dedication to transforming lives and communities through accessible education. The discussion delves into the strategies College Spring employs to expand educational access for students affected by poverty, the evolving landscape of college admissions, and the critical role of nonprofit partnerships in overcoming sector challenges.

Introduction to College Spring and Yoon Choi

Dr. Rob Harter opens the episode by introducing Yoon Choi, highlighting her two-decade-long commitment to nonprofit leadership and her role in steering College Spring towards its mission of providing inclusive test preparation for underrepresented youth. College Spring focuses on making standardized testing accessible, thereby unlocking greater educational and career opportunities for students facing economic hardships.

Motivation and Challenges in Educational Access

Yoon Choi discusses her motivation for leading College Spring, emphasizing the importance of standardized tests in unlocking educational and workforce opportunities. She states:

“Tests are something that we can't avoid in our education and to some extent, the our workforce system. The systems are designed to unlock greater rewards or mobility if you do well on them.” (02:04)

Yoon highlights the misconceptions surrounding standardized testing, particularly the belief that test-optional policies negate the importance of scores. She explains how test scores remain crucial for scholarships, college admissions, and career certifications, underscoring the need for effective test preparation to bridge the opportunity gap for low-income students.

Building Life Skills and Student Transformation

The conversation shifts to the emphasis College Spring places on life skills such as goal setting and resilience. Yoon shares anecdotes of students like Giselle and Stephanie, whose improved test scores have not only enhanced their academic prospects but also broadened their career aspirations. She articulates:

“They're thinking, you know, I know what to do to reach my goals. I can overcome obstacles. Maybe I can dream bigger.” (04:53)

These stories exemplify how academic achievements foster confidence and open new doors for students, aligning with the broader goals of empowering youth through education.

The American Dream and Educational Journeys

Dr. Harder and Yoon explore the concept of the American Dream in the context of education. Yoon reflects on how College Spring facilitates diverse career paths for students regardless of their backgrounds:

“The idea that they have different paths from their families, from the original trajectory, that is the American dream.” (07:03)

She emphasizes that by providing robust educational support, College Spring enables students to aim high and access new opportunities, thereby contributing to their long-term success and prosperity.

Navigating Nonprofit Mergers and Partnerships

Addressing the topic of mergers and acquisitions in the nonprofit sector, Yoon identifies key barriers to scaling nonprofits, such as limited funding and redundant efforts across organizations. She advocates for strategic partnerships to enhance efficiency and impact, sharing College Spring's collaborations with organizations like College Track and Let's Get Ready. Yoon remarks:

“I think partnerships are great, but more formal mergers, in my opinion should be actively pursued and supported in our space.” (08:46)

She argues that while financial incentives in the nonprofit sector differ from the for-profit world, fostering collaborations is essential for overcoming common challenges and maximizing collective impact.

Evolving Landscape of College Admissions

Yoon discusses the shifting perceptions of college education amidst rising costs and competitive admissions. She expresses concern that changes to standardized testing policies might widen the gap between students who can afford test preparation and those who cannot. Yoon asserts:

“If we can get more college students academically prepared, prepared for that track, prepared via testing, then I'm all for it.” (14:54)

This perspective underscores the ongoing relevance of standardized tests in maintaining equitable access to higher education opportunities.

Adapting Strategies Amid Changing Testing Policies

In response to the evolving testing landscape, Yoon outlines College Spring's proactive approach to ensure continued student competitiveness. By expanding their services to include younger students and embedding their programs within school curricula, College Spring aims to build a strong academic foundation from the ninth grade onward. She explains:

“We're ensuring that they're competitive for whatever path they choose after high school.” (16:59)

This strategy highlights the organization's commitment to long-term educational support beyond mere test preparation.

Ensuring Sustainability Through Fundraising and Integration

Yoon elaborates on the essential factors for sustaining mission-driven nonprofits like College Spring, particularly focusing on fundraising strategies. By offering their programs free to students and partnering with schools and districts, College Spring secures earned revenue while ensuring widespread access. Yoon states:

“Our goal is to embed ourselves in the system for as long a period of time so that we're seeping into the culture and taking as much time as possible to make sure students and teachers are prepared.” (20:02)

This integrated approach not only sustains the organization financially but also embeds educational support deeply within the communities they serve.

Balancing Academic Rigor with Accessibility

When asked about balancing academic rigor with inclusivity, Yoon emphasizes that College Spring remains steadfast in providing high-quality test preparation without charging students. She highlights their mission to deliver value to educators and districts, ensuring that accessibility does not compromise academic standards:

“We will never charge a student ever, ever, ever. But we want our value proposition to educators, to districts to be so strong that, that, you know, without College Spring, they'll be missing out.” (20:22)

This commitment ensures that all students, regardless of financial background, have the opportunity to excel academically.

Advice for Emerging Nonprofit Leaders

Concluding the episode, Yoon offers valuable advice for young leaders aspiring to make a difference in the nonprofit sector. She encourages proactive learning, cross-departmental collaboration, and maintaining a passion for social change. Yoon advises:

“Be as curious and proactive in your own learning as possible. Expose yourself to all different departments and activities that drive the work that nonprofits do.” (21:30)

Her insights stress the importance of versatility and dedication in fostering effective nonprofit leadership.

Connecting with College Spring

Yoon invites listeners to learn more about College Spring through their website, collegespring.org, and to connect with her on LinkedIn (@Yunschoi). She encourages engagement with their programs and initiatives aimed at expanding educational access for underserved communities.

Conclusion

This episode of the Nonprofit Leadership Podcast offers a comprehensive look into the impactful work of College Spring under Yoon Choi's leadership. By addressing the critical issues of educational access, standardized testing, and nonprofit sustainability, Yoon provides a roadmap for organizations aiming to empower students through education. Her experiences and strategies serve as a valuable guide for current and aspiring nonprofit leaders dedicated to making a positive difference in their communities.

Notable Quotes:

• “Tests are something that we can't avoid in our education and to some extent, the our workforce system.” – Yoon Choi (02:04)
• “They're thinking, you know, I know what to do to reach my goals. I can overcome obstacles. Maybe I can dream bigger.” – Yoon Choi (04:53)
• “The idea that they have different paths from their families, from the original trajectory, that is the American dream.” – Yoon Choi (07:03)
• “I think partnerships are great, but more formal mergers, in my opinion should be actively pursued and supported in our space.” – Yoon Choi (08:46)
• “If we can get more college students academically prepared, prepared for that track, prepared via testing, then I'm all for it.” – Yoon Choi (14:54)
• “We're ensuring that they're competitive for whatever path they choose after high school.” – Yoon Choi (16:59)
• “We will never charge a student ever, ever, ever. But we want our value proposition to educators, to districts to be so strong that, that, you know, without College Spring, they'll be missing out.” – Yoon Choi (20:22)
• “Be as curious and proactive in your own learning as possible.” – Yoon Choi (21:30)

Learn More

• College Spring Website: collegespring.org
• Yoon Choi on LinkedIn: Yunschoi
• Nonprofit Leadership Podcast: Available on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, Google Podcasts, and more.