About Us
Volar is a scholarship college completion program guiding first-generation college students from enrollment to degree completion.
Volar Scholars receive personalized case management, one-on-one advising, skill-building workshops, and career guidance, along with emergency financial assistance and connections to key resources as needed.
How We Help
Volar provides individualized college and career advising to first-generation students in the Dallas area. Our goal is to increase degree attainment for these students, and we support their journey through best-fit advising, family engagement, and scholarship opportunities. As an organization, we understand the value of a diverse workforce and value ALL career pathways.
Our advising model is flexible, culturally relevant, and built around students' schedules. We've created an innovative hybrid model to reach students across the metroplex, combining virtual, individualized support with in-person opportunities so our reach extends far beyond zip codes and high school campuses.
Our support doesn't end at high school graduation. We provide continued guidance through college graduation or career achievement, because we know the journey has its ups and downs.
Our Commitment
At Volar, we believe every student deserves the opportunity to take charge of their destiny and become part of a strong, empowered workforce. Our commitment to free, accessible, high-quality advising drives our mission to change lives through higher education in Dallas and expand social mobility.
Our Why
Data shows that first-generation students graduate college at lower rates than their peers. We want to change that. We believe the next generation of our workforce should be strong and empowered, and that every student deserves the chance to take charge of their destiny.
Our Story
Volar was founded in 2022 to empower historically underserved students through individualized and intentional college and career advising. We serve as 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 Why
Data shows that first-generation students graduate college at lower rates than their peers. We want to change that. We believe the next generation of our workforce should be strong and empowered, and that every student deserves the chance to take charge of their destiny.
