Baltimore Ravens College Track Center Welcomes its First Class in West Baltimore

Reaffirming the American Dream Through Education

For first-generation college students the road to a degree is rarely straightforward, and in Baltimore City where educational inequality runs deep, the obstacles are even greater. Shirley Collado’s a first-generation college graduate, current CEO of College Track, and former Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer at Rutgers University-Newark is determined to clear the path for Baltimore’s youth.

College Track is a national nonprofit program dedicated to helping first-generation college students from underserved communities reach their academic goals and earn bachelor’s degrees. So far, the program has been supporting more than 4,800 high school and college students across the nation.

“Alongside our phenomenal partners, College Track is meeting talent with opportunity for Charm City’s young people. Together, we are demonstrating how cross-sector collaborations can affirm the American Dream through the power of education. The best part is: this center provides a blueprint that can be replicated across the nation—in rural and urban communities.” - Shirley Collado Ph.D., President & CEO, College Track.

The new Baltimore Ravens College Track Center cooperates with Baltimore City Public Schools to guide students all the way from the ninth grade until their early career stages. Over the course of ten years, participants receive academic coaching, college advice, application support, financial education, leadership and career readiness training, to ensure that youth across Baltimore have the means and mentorship to make their biggest dreams come true.

“The Ravens are proud to support College Track’s expansion into Baltimore as part of our broader commitment to college access and workforce development. Through sustained investment and strong community partnerships, we are helping ensure that students across Baltimore have the resources, mentorship, and support they need to achieve their goals.”

- Sashi Brown, President, Baltimore Ravens

A $20 Million Tri-sector Partnership

The Baltimore Ravens College Track Center in West Baltimore – in addition to College Bound and Bridges Baltimore – falls under the umbrella of Ravens College Access Program, a ten-year, $40 million initiative committed to backing organizations focused on bringing college within reach for more students.

The new center came to life with the help of a $20 million tri-sector partnership: $10 million donated by the Baltimore Ravens and the Bisciotti Foundation, and $10 million donated by the M&T Bank Charitable Foundation, as part of their broader commitment to empowering communities and nurturing economic opportunities for the future generations of Baltimore City.

“At M&T Bank, we believe education is one of the most powerful drivers of economic mobility. Our partnership with College Track and the Baltimore Ravens reflects our long-standing commitment to strengthening communities and creating pathways to opportunity for Baltimore’s young people.” - Augie Chiasera, Head of Community Markets, M&T Bank

How the New Center in Baltimore Serves Community

The center in West Baltimore is directed by Founding Executive Site Director Charelle D. James, M.Ed., MSc. in Education, alumna of Johns Hopkins University and Spelman College. It is the 13^th College Track Center in the United States, and third to join the East Coast in addition to centers in Washington, D.C., and Prince George’s County, Maryland.

The center welcomed its first class in February 2026 and officially opened its gates later March 11^th. The class of 2029 has nearly 70 participants, 93% of whom will be first-generation college students, and 88% of whom come from under-resourced households. The program’s mission is to enable participating students to build lives where their talents are met with opportunity, choice, and purpose through education, with the long-term goal of drawing a roadmap that can be followed across the nation.

“This year, we are opening our 13th location, in Baltimore, Maryland, which is the result of an unprecedented partnership between an NFL team—the Baltimore Ravens, a nation-wide financial institution in M&T Bank, and our national nonprofit. The Baltimore Ravens College Track Center is our third location on the East Coast.” Shirley M. Collado, Ph.D., President & CEO, College Track (conference interview)

Students on College Track are Twice as Likely to Graduate College

The program supports more than 4,800 high school and college students across California, Colorado, Louisiana, and the D.C.–Maryland region. With expert academic guidance and support, students on the program graduate at more than two and a half times the national rate for first-generation college students.

The center in West Baltimore is open from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM at 2401 Liberty Heights Ave., Suite #2730, Baltimore, MD 21215.

Those interested in enrolling should visit the College Track’s website to learn more or contact The Baltimore Ravens College Track Center by calling ((410) 701-3250) or emailing (baltimore@collegetrack.org).

MEDIA CONTACT

Charelle D. James, Founding Executive Site Director

Baltimore Ravens College Track Center

cjames@collegetrack.org

(410) 701-3250

2401 Liberty Heights Ave., Suite #2730, Baltimore, MD 21215

Supporting Media
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdnKGSozbwo Stefan has captured the heart and soul of Baltimore and our scholars, right at the start of the 10-year journey with our inaugural cohort of talented young people from Charm City. - Shirley M. Collado