New York, NY (March 2, 2020) — Let’s Get Ready is pleased to announce that Lena Eberhart has been selected as the organization’s Chief Executive Officer after serving as interim CEO.  Ms. Eberhart previously served as Let’s Get Ready’s Chief Program Officer since 2016. In this role she built on Let’s Get Ready’s flagship College Access and College Success program models, introducing significant program innovations to increase college persistence and graduation for students historically underrepresented in higher education.

“During her time as interim CEO, Lena has masterfully steered the organization through a critical transition, showing both the programmatic vision and executive skill that a dynamic mission-driven organization like Let’s Get Ready requires,” said Jeff Waters, Chairman. “We believe she is the perfect person to lead us through the next phase of our growth.”

Lena has over twenty years of experience in the education field focused on college success program implementation, organizational growth, and partnership development. Prior to starting at Let’s Get Ready, she worked at iMentor as Managing Director of New York City, leading local programs through a period of strategic growth. Early in her career, she served as a college counselor at the I Have A Dream Foundation before moving to Comprehensive Development Inc., where she served as Director of College and Career Services at their founding high school and then as Site Director, overseeing the organization’s first expansion to multiple locations. Eberhart is a graduate of Reed College and earned her M.S. in Urban Studies from Hunter College.

“Since my arrival at Let’s Get Ready, I have seen first-hand the depth and quality of guidance that well-trained and well-managed college students are able to provide to their younger peers,” said Eberhart. “I believe strongly in the power of this program model —  students coaching students to navigate the complex college process in a way that builds confidence and a sense of community, leads to better outcomes, and creates a leadership pipeline for our talented participants. With such a strong program model, a talented team, and a diverse community of supporters, I am confident in our ability to support even more students in need of our services.”

ABOUT LET’S GET READY

Let’s Get Ready provides students from backgrounds historically underrepresented in higher education with up to six years of support from the college admissions and enrollment process until college graduation. Services are delivered by highly-trained college undergraduates who mentor younger students by serving as ‘near-peer’ coaches, providing students with timely and personalized resources, tracking their progress through milestone-based curriculum, and sharing their own college experiences. These interactions create a sense of belonging and support among program participants as they identify their strengths and build self-efficacy. 

For more information, visit www.letsgetready.org