by Holly Boerner

The PelotonU Playbook: This Only Applies if You’re Human

A few years ago I moved rather abruptly from Boston to Austin. I was sorting through the pieces of a breakup so rough that I hadn’t even told most of the people in my life I’d left Massachusetts. – Oops. One of those people, my friend Darcy, wrote me a couple letters that summer (yes, people DO still send snail mail!).  She called and texted a few times, too. Apparently, I never responded.   A few months later, she texted again – this time to ask if I was mad at her. “Hey Holly, I haven’t heard from you in a...
Behind the Scenes, Motivation, PelotonU Playbook
by Holly Boerner

The PelotonU Playbook: Faster, Farther, Together – with Data

Faster, farther, together.  A peloton is a group of cyclists that rides close together to save energy.  PelotonU exists for our students to journey faster and further to their goals and degrees together, with the support of our PelotonU community). Student input and feedback on the program is an invaluable puzzle piece for us to work faster together, so we can go further.  We seek student voices informally, including in conversations about upcoming events, office culture, and ideas on new resources/curriculum.  We also involve students in the hiring process for new staff and invite students to share their experiences with...
Behind the Scenes, Data, PelotonU Playbook, Updates
by Ashley Nash

What a Thing Chronicles: Chapter 6

Ashley, here, with Chapter 6 of the What a Thing Chronicles. Have you ever known, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that you weren’t cut out for a particular job? That was me a couple weeks ago in the office, when I remarked that I never could have hacked it in the military. I’m terrible at getting up on time and being coherent. I scare super easily. I didn’t check my mail for a week because I saw a snake near my mailbox. I don’t like the heat, and I don’t like anything that feels like camping. That’s why I’m...
Student Stories, What a Thing Chronicles
by Ashley Nash

What a Thing Chronicles: Chapter 5

Ashley, here, with Chapter 5 of the What a Thing Chronicles. I hopped on the phone last week to talk with a PelotonU partner- and our conversation stayed with me longer than most. In addition to being gracious via phone and email, she thanked me for doing the Lord’s work. The Lord’s Work. The comment caught me off guard, but more than anything, the comment humbled me. We here at PelotonU know that we do important work, but I’ve never thought of it in that context. Earning an education is a transformative experience – what you gain is far beyond what...
Motivation, Student Stories, What a Thing Chronicles
by Ashley Nash

What a Thing Chronicles: Chapter 4

Ashley, here, writing Chapter 4 of the What a Thing Chronicles. It’s graduation season! I always get a little sentimental around this time of year because I think of my graduation day, and those moments I will never forget, like my mom wearing her pearls and lipstick. If my mom wears pearls AND lipstick, y’all it’s special!  Enrolling in college was one of the best decisions I ever made. Earning my degree allowed me to make amazing memories, meet awesome people and visit exciting places. I’ve worked in higher ed for about a decade, and I hit my stride teaching...
Motivation, Student Stories, What a Thing Chronicles
by Holly Boerner

The What a Thing Chronicles: Chapter 3

Friday the 13th was anything but unlucky at PelotonU… Angelice earned her Associate’s of General Studies with a concentration in Business from Southern New Hampshire University’s College for America program! Angelice lights up any room she enters with her joyful personality and always greets her mentor with, “Hello, Sunshine!”  You may remember Angelice from Chapter 2 of the What A Thing Chronicles for earning Employee of the Year at her company, but her hard work and grit also earned her an AA in under 10 months!  She will be starting her Bachelor’s on 5/1 and looks forward to the additional...
Motivation, Student Stories, What a Thing Chronicles
by Sarah Saxton-Frump

The What a Thing Chronicles: Chapter 2

It’s time for the next episode of The What a Thing Chronicles! Welcome to Chapter 2 – the Good Friday / Passover edition. Let’s start with some milestones: snaps and claps to Kaitlin A, Karen C, and Wendy D who all just hit the 50% mark in their Associate’s, Bethany S and John V who hit 75% of their Associate’s, and April R who finished her transfer coursework and is ready to start her bachelor’s! This is huge! Speaking of transfers: congratulations to Veronica, one of our first associate’s degree earners way back in summer 2016. She just got accepted...
Student Stories, What a Thing Chronicles
by Sarah Saxton-Frump

The What a Thing Chronicles: Chapter 1

This week, we celebrated our 30th degree earner! 🎉🎉 🎉 On Monday, Esther earned her Associate’s of General Studies with a concentration in Business from Southern New Hampshire University’s CfA program!  Esther, also our resident volleyball player, earned her Associate’s degree in 9 months – and she’s starting her Bachelor’s on April 1st. She promises us it’s not an April Fool’s joke. Her ambition is to make a difference in the lives of families and children in Travis County, “because all of our lives are intertwined.” She’s worked the office for us at both PelotonU locations, welcomes new students with a smile and helping hand,...
Student Stories, What a Thing Chronicles
by Sarah Saxton-Frump

The What a Thing Chronicles: Prologue

Sarah here, kicking off the newly-minted What a Thing Chronicles with a “guilty pleasure” confession: I *love* Grey’s Anatomy reruns. They’re my favorite thing to watch when I can’t fall asleep or when I’m washing dishes to procrastinate a challenging grant proposal or when it’s just been a long day and I need a brain break.  In season 1, Meredith Grey has this line that’s stuck with me since I first watched the episode back in April 2005 when I was (oh goodness) only 20 years old. She’s talking about getting legal power of attorney for her mother, who has an...
Motivation, What a Thing Chronicles
by PelotonU

Wondering How to Submit a FAFSA?

If you’re able to submit a FAFSA, it can be well worth the effort! Here’s how: Go to this website to submit a FAFSA If you want to start college BEFORE July 1, 2018 submit the 2017-2018 FAFSA If you want to start college AFTER July 1, 2018, submit the 2018-2019 FAFSA  Make sure you save your FSA ID, Save Key, and any other log-in information in a safe place. You’ll need this information every year you submit this or make a correction. It’s very important! When you sit down to fill out the FAFSA make sure you have your...
Mission & Vision
by PelotonU

2018 Academic Onboarding Start Dates

We have 10 cohorts starting PelotonU in 2018! Academic onboarding is the first four week trial period at PelotonU. This is when you learn the routines of online classes. Each week you’ll meet with your CCA, complete academic assignments, and spend time in our office. After successful completion of Academic Onboarding, you’ll enroll in college! Here are the official start dates for Academic Onboarding in 2018: February 5, 2018 March 5, 2018 April 2, 2018 May 7, 2018 June 4, 2018 July 9, 2018 August 6, 2018 September 4, 2018 October 9, 2018 November 5, 218 If you’re interested in joining...
Updates
by PelotonU

Mission, Vision, & Values

VISION Our vision is that any student with the will and drive to graduate from college can earn a degree debt-free, regardless of geography or economics.   MISSION Our mission is to provide working students with a pathway and the support to graduate from college on-time and debt-free.   BELIEFS We believe every student should have access to a high-quality college education, but know that a Bachelor’s degree isn’t the only path to a fulfilling life aligned with their goals. We believe our students’ well-being is more important than our organizational outcomes. We believe hard work with the right supports...
Mission & Vision