Soto to step down as director of Higher Edge
New London — State Rep. Chris Soto, D-New London, is leaving Higher Edge, the nonprofit he founded in 2011 to guide low-income and first-generation students into and through college.
Soto, who said he plans to focus more on his legislative duties, said he plans an announcement on Tuesday on the hiring of a new executive director.
“As the founder, I want to know it’s in the best hands possible from someone giving 100 percent,” Soto said. “From an objective viewpoint, I know that’s not me right now.”
He is leaving at a time when data indicates Higher Edge is making a difference, especially when it comes to enrollment in four-year colleges, Soto said.
Recently compiled data by the organization shows the percentage of all college-bound New London students attending a four-year college has risen steadily since the school district contracted with Higher Edge in 2012, increasing from 28 percent in 2012 to 39 percent in 2016.
“Higher Edge has inspired some of New London’s most deserving young people to imagine themselves as college students — and then to take tangible steps toward that goal,” interim Superintendent Stephen Tracy said in a statement. “Our rising post-secondary enrollment rates are a reflection of their work.”
New London outpaced other Alliance Districts with similar demographics in the number of graduates enrolling in four-year colleges in 2016, including Hartford, Meriden, Waterbury, Windham, New Britain and Bridgeport. New Haven showed the highest rate at 46 percent.
The numbers were compiled through the National Student Clearinghouse.
Soto said he always knew anecdotally his organization was having an impact “in helping to change the conversation about college in New London.”
“Now, if you look at the data, we’re really moving the needle,” Soto said.
He said overall college enrollment of New London students, 54 percent in 2016, is flat and something of a disappointment. He said Higher Edge, with offices in Norwich and Willimantic, would need to expand to have a greater impact on the overall numbers. The incoming class at Higher Edge is about 70 students, 40 in New London and 30 in Willimantic.
But the entrance by many students into more four-year and private institutions is encouraging. It shows a leveling of the playing field, he said, for students whose families don’t have the money to pay for things like a college consultant.
He said low-income students often are “undermatched” and seek out two-year degrees at community colleges because they are affordable. He said his organization strives to find ways to “match students to the appropriate college.”
Soto said he plans to stay on at Higher Edge for a transition period but has some “irons in the fire” and most likely will end up working part time as a consultant.
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