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What is American Graduate?

The WMHT American Graduate Project, funded by a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, is an initiative to raise awareness about the dropout crisis in our community by engaging a wide range of stakeholders in a dialogue and by mobilizing the community through a multimedia campaign to share resources, best practices and stories of challenge and success.

American Graduate and CPB Logo Lockup with American in blue stacked on top of Graduate in Red with the words  Getting to Work in gray below and the CPB, Corporation for Public Broadcasting logo to the right

Stories of Champions

The American Graduate initiative is public media’s long-term commitment, made possible by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) to help young people succeed in school, career and life. Public media, with its unique position as a trusted resource and important partner in local communities, provides a critical platform to shine a light on pathways to graduation and successful student outcomes. National and local reporting, on air and online is helping communities understand the challenges and community-driven solutions associated with education and future successes. Public forums, town halls and community conversations have activated discussions between community leaders, educators and other stakeholders.

Through American Graduate, stations have inspired citizens to get involved and become American Graduate Champions, the caring adults who very often make the difference in a young person’s life. Explore WMHT's American Graduate Champions below:

2017 STORIES OF CHAMPIONS

2017 Stories of Champions Recognition Event

Watch the full 2017 Stories of Champions Recognition Event.

Extended: Wayne Chandler, American Graduate Champion

Dive deeper into the work of American Graduate Champion, Wayne Chandler.

Extended: David Graham, American Graduate Champion

Dive deeper into the work of American Graduate Champion, David Graham.

Wayne Chandler, American Graduate Champion | Speech

A speech by American Graduate Champion Wayne Chandler.

David Graham, American Graduate Champion | Speech

A speech by American Graduate Champion David Graham.

Extended: Meralys Collazo, American Graduate Champion

Dive deeper into the work of American Graduate Champion, Meralys Collazo.

Extended: Debbie Taylor, American Graduate Champion

Dive deeper into the work of American Graduate Champion, Debbie Taylor.

Meralys Collazo, American Graduate Champion | Speech

A speech by American Graduate Champion Meralys Collazo.

Debbie Taylor, American Graduate Champion | Speech

A speech by American Graduate Champion Debbie Taylor.

2015 STORIES OF CHAMPIONS

2015 Stories of Champions Recognition Event

Watch the full 2015 Stories of Champions Recognition Event.

Extended: Rebecca Bustelos, American Graduate Champion

Dive deeper into the work of American Graduate Champion, Rebecca Bustelos.

Extended: Philip Morris, American Graduate Champion

Dive deeper into the work of American Graduate Champion, Philip Morris.

Interviews Stories of Champions Recognition Event 2015

Watch the post event interviews for the Stories of Champions 2015 Recognition Event.

Rebecca Bustelos Stories of Champions 2015 Recognition Event

Rebecca Bustelos, a 2015 American Graduate Champion.

Philip Morris 2015 Stories of Champions Recognition Event

Philip Morris, a 2015 American Graduate Champion.

Jonathan Jones 2015 Stories of Champions Recognition Event

Jonathan Jones on behalf of Kathy Sheehan, a 2015 American Graduate Champion.

Extended: Dr. Sandhyaa Iyengar, American Graduate Champion

Dive deeper into the work of American Graduate Champion, Dr. Sandhyaa Iyengar.

Mayor Kathy M. Sheehan, American Graduate Champion

Meet Kathy M. Sheehan, Mayor of Albany.

Dr. Sandhyaa Iyengar Stories of Champions Recognition Event

Dr. Sandhyaa Iyengar, a 2015 American Graduate Champion.

Extended: Kathy Sheehan, American Graduate Champion

Dive deeper into the work of American Graduate Champion, Kathy Sheehan.

2014 STORIES OF CHAMPIONS

Heather Bigelow, American Graduate Champion

Heather Bigelow teaches at the Capital Region BOCES Career & Technical School.

Tobi Saulnier, American Graduate Champion

Dr. Tobi Saulnier is founder & CEO of 1st Playable Productions, making educational games.

Extended: Dr. Joseph P. Dragone, American Graduate Champion

Learn more about American Graduate Champion, Dr. Joseph P. Dragone.

Nicole Plummer on Working with Tobi Saulnier

American Graduate Champion, Tobi Saulnier, helped Nicole both personally & professionally.

Christopher G. Ellis Jr., American Graduate Champion

Learn about CEO and youth mentor Christopher G. Ellis Jr. of Albany, NY.

Extended: Nancy L. Zimpher, American Graduate Champion

Learn more about SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher's work in this extended cut.

Neil & Jane Golub, American Graduate Champions

See what makes Neil & Jane Golub American Graduate Champions.

BUILDING BLOCKS


Building Blocks examines the stepping-stones for success from early childhood and beyond. Explore WMHT's Building Blocks videos below:

Support Provided By
SEFCU Logo with Changing Lives Every Day tagline
Building Blocks | Pathways to Success | Kaliel

Kaliel Williamson, a University at Albany – SUNY student shares his pathway to success.

Building Blocks | Quality Education | Rebecca

Rebecca Bustelos, a teacher in Albany, on PBS KIDS resources that connect home and school.

Building Blocks | Early Childhood Development | Danae

Danae Jones, a parent in Albany, talks about using PBS KIDS games with her son.

AMERICAN GRADUATE TOWN HALL

American Graduate Town Hall

Elaine Houston moderates a conversation about the dropout crisis in our local communities.

WMHT TALKS EDUCATION

WMHT Talks Education

WMHT Talks Education was held on October 1, 2013 from 5-7pm & featured TED-inspired talks.