
Our
Story
Volar was founded in 2022 to empower historically underserved students by providing individualized and intentional college and career advising. We are an additional layer of support outside of school. The inspiration for Volar came from the personal journey of our founder, college access advisor, Cynthia Gudiel, a daughter of Mexican immigrants, who experienced firsthand the transformative power of higher education.
Our advising model is flexible, culturally relevant, and supports students around their schedule. We’ve built an innovative hybrid advising model to reach students across the metroplex. By combining virtual, individualized support with
in-person opportunities, we extend our reach far beyond zip codes and high school campuses. Our support doesn’t end at high school graduation. We provide continued guidance to our students through college graduation or career achievement, understanding that the journey can come with ups and downs.
Volar's goal is to ensure that every student receives the support they deserve, providing a minimum of 5 hours of college and career advice per student their senior year—far exceeding the national average of 38 minutes, reported by the National Association of College Admissions Counseling. Thanks to community support, Volar has also been able to offer scholarships, helping close the financial aid gap some students may encounter.
At Volar, we believe that every student deserves the opportunity to take charge of their destiny and become part of a strong, empowered workforce. Our commitment to providing free, accessible, and high-quality advising services drives our mission to change lives through higher education in the Dallas area and drive social mobility. As an organization, we understand the value of a diverse workforce and value ALL career pathways.