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February 2022: Rachel Kanter '08

2/1/2022

Rachel Kanter ’08, Executive Director of Minds Matter Boston, works to connect students from low-income families with the resources they need to succeed in college and create positive futures. Through mentorship, summer programs, professional writing instruction and personalized college advising, Minds Matter helps mitigate racial inequities in the public education system. Inspired by Laurel teachers, including Señora Villaseca who balanced challenging academics with a caring personality, Rachel is passionate about expanding opportunities for students. As COVID-19 has exacerbated existing inequalities, her work has become even more essential. Fortunately, Rachel is a capable leader, having already raised $1M this fiscal year and is well on her way to achieving her goal of expanding the program to 200 students this year. Rachel is proud to share that in Minds Matter Boston’s 17-year history, 100% of high school seniors have been accepted to and enrolled in a four-year college, and 97% of alumni have graduated from college or are still enrolled. Read on to learn more about her challenges (imposter syndrome) and successes!

Do you have a favorite Laurel tradition or memory?

That is tough. I spent my formative years in “these dear walls” and I have so many memories to look back on.

Favorite Laurel memories include: discovering a young Ben Affleck in the “Voyage of the Mimi” with Mrs. Nodar, diagraming sentences for Mrs. Shield’s class while seated on the heated benches in the garden hallway, learning to love Laurel bananas, having advisory dinners at Mr. Connell’s house before the winter concert, Socratic discussions in Mrs. Stephens’ AP English class, studying feverishly for Mr. Huston’s map quizzes (which included a 20-page booklet of grainy maps across the world that you had to decipher), feeling the pride and joy of being able to finally park in the “Senior lot” and the Class of 2008 dominating in Song Contest year after year.

How did Laurel help develop your leadership skills? What activities were you involved in as a student?

Unequivocally, Laurel shaped me into the leader I am today. The environment at Laurel supports and encourages young women to feel affirmed in who they are and their worth, share their opinions, step into leadership roles and take on challenges. Being around ambitious and hardworking women for eight years taught me how to feel comfortable in my own skin among the best and brightest and push myself to greater heights. When I stepped onto Emory University’s campus, I was unafraid to raise my hand in a large lecture hall, apply for a competitive internship or nominate myself for a leadership position. Those same mindsets set me up for success in my career and help me to this day.

What advice would you give current students about making the most of their time at Laurel?

Take a risk or two! You will not find a more supportive and caring environment to explore new interests or take a leap of faith.

You earned your BA in psychology from Emory University. What is something you learned from your major that you draw on now in your career?

Learning about social psychology has helped me as a leader and manager. In my current role as Executive Director, I am constantly thinking about the emotions and behaviors of key constituencies (e.g., students, donors, volunteers, board members, staff) and the interactions between them. It is my job to support, motivate, and empower others; this cannot be done effectively without taking the time to consider an individual’s self-concept, social influences, attitudes and more.

After college, you stayed in Atlanta for four years teaching with Jumpstart and Teach for America. What was the selection and matching process for Teach for America was like?

The application and selection process for Teach for America was rigorous and competitive. There was a long, written application, an individual interview, a group interview, three scenarios and a lesson presentation. Once accepted, I ranked different locations and different grade levels. I was lucky to get placed in my top region, Atlanta, and my first-choice grade level, elementary. After I received my placement, I interviewed with elementary schools in Atlanta and was hired by Dekalb Prep Academy.

Were there any Laurel teachers from whom you drew inspiration? What is your educational philosophy?

I believe the best educators lead with empathy and support the whole student. They hold students to high standards AND provide the scaffolding to help them reach those standards.

Señora Villaseca was a Laurel teacher who modeled this practice to me. She went out of her way to get to know me—not just my strengths and weaknesses in her class—but who I was, what my family was like, what I believed about myself, how I learned best and what my needs were.

In elementary and middle school, Spanish was my worst subject. Señora Villaseca was an intimidating teacher; she only spoke in Spanish in class and demanded we do the same. Girls would drop out of her class every year because of the intensity and rigor. I often thought I would be next. However, Señora Villaseca was as caring as she was challenging. After a string of bad grades, she sat me down to say that she knew I was capable of being a strong Spanish speaker. She had been watching me and saw how nervous I got before tests. She asked if I had ever talked about those feelings with my parents. She helped my family and me realize that my challenges in Spanish class were rooted in undiagnosed anxiety. This changed my life.

Señora Villaseca never lowered the bar for me. I scraped by that year with a B, but she also never let me doubt myself. When my anxiety would creep in, she would give me a pep talk or remind me of prior successes. She saw my potential and encouraged me until I could see it in myself.

What prompted your move to Boston? Do you have any tips for alums moving to a new city?

I moved to Boston because I was looking for a change of pace after being in Atlanta for 5+ years. I only knew two people in Boston (and one moved away within 6 months of my arrival), so it was quite a big transition.

My biggest tip for alums moving to a new city is to give yourself a full year to settle in. During that time, suspend judgment about whether this is the right city for you or if you were successful in setting up your new life. We can have unrealistic expectations that things will fall into place within a few months, but it ultimately takes time (and hard work) to set down roots!

In 2015 you were hired to be the President of Minds Matter Boston and were promoted to Executive Director the following year. What have been the most rewarding and most challenging aspects of being at the helm of an organization so early in your career?

One rewarding aspect of being at the helm of Minds Matter Boston has been leading the organization through its first phase of growth and maturation. Since 2015, we have more than doubled the number of students served, grown the organizational budget from $220K to $1.2M, built a high-performing team of 5 FTEs, and professionalized and diversified our Board of Directors. I am proud that we have become an organization capable of sustainably serving more talented young people in Greater Boston.

However, the most rewarding aspect of my job is seeing our alumni graduate from college and then return to the program as mentors to pay it forward for the next generation. This year, we have 14 student alumni who have re-joined as staff, Board leaders, or mentors!

Stepping into the position of Executive Director so early in my career was challenging. I suffered from imposter syndrome, but I was lucky to have a supportive Board and strong mentors who believed in me. I sought out advice from veteran nonprofit leaders and invested in my own professional development so that I build my skillset while simultaneously building the organization.

Can you share with us a little about the work Minds Matter does?

Minds Matter Boston (MMB)’s mission is to connect driven and determined students from low-income families with the people, preparation, and possibilities to succeed in college, create their future and change the world. MMB exists to mitigate chronic racial inequities inherent to our public education system and open the door to better career opportunities and life outcomes for our students.

MMB’s high-touch and holistic program model provides wrap-around services to students starting in their sophomore year of high school, including 2:1 mentoring, professional ACT and writing instruction, access to college-immersion summer programs and personalized college advising over the course of four years. Our alumni program provides program graduates with access to networking opportunities, emergency aid and ongoing mentorship during college and beyond as they launch their professional careers.

In our 17-year history, 100% of high school seniors have been accepted to and enrolled in a four-year college, and 97% of alumni have graduated from college or are still enrolled. For the class of 2021, 83% gained admission to a competitive college as defined by Barron’s selectivity index. These students earned scholarships and financial aid that met 93% of their financial-need with an average financial aid package of $44,000.

How did Covid-19 impact the students you work with and how has Minds Matter adapted its strategies to help?

COVID-19 has exacerbated existing inequalities in postsecondary opportunities for low-income and first-generation students. Since March 2020, in high-poverty high schools, the number of graduates enrolling in college fell 11.4%, FAFSA applications dropped 18%, and early decision applications for first-generation students dropped 10%. More than ever, low-income students are losing access to one of the only viable pathways out of poverty.

Minds Matter Boston adapted our program to operate virtually in response to COVID-19. We were able to successfully pivot to meet this challenge in the following ways:

We had 1:1 calls with every student we served this year to understand their unique needs regarding study space and technology/internet access for remote learning. As part of these conversations, we determined if students needed laptops or assistance setting up internet access in their homes.
We partnered with other local nonprofits to help students struggling socially/emotionally, academically, or with food insecurity, homelessness, or loss of income.
We trained our instructors and leaders on best practices for virtual learning and modified our curriculum accordingly.
We added new modes of communications to increase student engagement—mass texting, a student website, a weekly newsletter and videos.

An excerpt from one student survey response reads: “Minds Matter did well organizing and structuring the lessons during this difficult time. We were able to transition very well from in-person to remote learning with continued access to so many opportunities and resources.”

Congratulations on receiving a 10-year $350,000 grant from the Cummings Foundation to increase enrollment in Minds Matter Boston by 75%! Can you describe the fundraising aspect of your job and the ways in which you fund your incredible programs?

A large part of my position is dedicated to fundraising. I am incredibly passionate about the work we do, and I enjoy being able to share our mission and impact with different funders. My goal this year is to raise $1.16M and I am proud to say that we are only halfway through the fiscal year and have already raised $1M. Approximately 20% of our funding comes from corporate foundations, 40% from individuals, 30% from private foundations and 10% from events.

What are your goals for 2022?

Professionally: Expand our program from 149 to 200 students in Greater Boston, grow our organizational budget to $1.5M and hire two more staff members.

Personally: Find a better work-life balance, spend more time with family, disconnect from my phone once a week and practice gratitude.

Outside of work, how do you like to spend your time?

Planning my wedding! I am getting married in July.

What makes you proud to be a Laurel alum?

Being part of a group of fierce women who are making an impact in their respective communities.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Send my love to Ms. Klotz, Mrs. Stephens, and Dr. Damour. They left an indelible impression on me.

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