The Pivotal Network

Problem and Background

Hoxby and Avery observed that talented students from first-generation & low-income (FGLI) backgrounds were systematically not applying to or attending the schools that would maximize their academic or earning potential. They called this phenomenon undermatching.

The Pivotal Network came into being to address undermatching, while recognizing the nuances of a talented FGLI student going to college. Often, an FGLI student’s success is discussed as being a solely individualistic achievement. While these students are undeniably talented, hardworking, and resilient, this individualistic framing ignores the importance of peers, families, and teachers in forming the support network that propels students to college. Secondly, the choice of going to a college that would “match” a talented student’s potential can come with tradeoffs. The prevalence of imposter syndrome and survivor’s guilt among FGLI students underscores the strain of leaving one’s home culture to join a top university’s often upper-middle class culture. Furthermore, for the student’s community of origin, an FGLI student moving to a top school can signal a loss in talent, or educational capital, for the community in which the student was raised.

Approach/Solution

The Pivotal Network intervened to address undermatching through an innovative strategy. We rejected the individualistic story of success and instead honored the peers, families, and teachers that are so often instrumental in supporting FGLI students in their journeys to college. We did so by inviting teachers who wrote recommendation letters for their FGLI students to join our network, so that we could recognize and build on their contributions. Working with teachers offered further strategic value by establishing a reciprocal relationship between universities and FGLI students’ communities of origin.

Organization Goals & My Contributions