CityWorks DC Celebrates Citywide Progress at Postsecondary Success Summit

Collaborative efforts have built multiple pathways to success for DC's young people

On Friday, March 21, 2025, the DC Postsecondary Success Summit brought together changemakers from education, government, non-profits, and industry to chart equitable futures for DC’s youth and adult learners. CityWorks DC was proud to serve as a sponsor of the Summit which convened over 230 practitioners from 100+ organizations who participated in 20 conference sessions and a Resource Fair featuring 27 organizations. The day prompted important conversations, shared tangible solutions, and celebrated the powerful accomplishments of the DC Postsecondary Success Collaborative’s work over the last year.

Charting a New Vision for Postsecondary Success

The day began with an energizing panel discussion that set the tone for the Summit’s core themes: Charting Multiple Pathways, Trending Industries & Essential Skills: Unlocking Success in the Modern Job Market, Targeted Supports for Postsecondary Success, and Navigating the Shifting Landscape of Education: Research & Policy. Moderated by CareerWise DC apprentice and high school senior Maegan Godoy, the panel featured Patrick Wu (KIPP DC), Dr. Abiodun Durojaye (Urban Alliance), Dr. Alicia Waldon (Academy of Hope PCS), and Monica Dodge (Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education). Their conversation challenged us to move beyond outdated models of postsecondary “success” and instead focus on opportunity, visibility, and learner-centered design. 

Many employers focus on what young people can gain from apprenticeships rather than what organizations can gain from hiring apprentices – which is a lot. As Dr. Durojaye shared, “Mentorship isn’t just what young people learn from us—it’s what we can learn from them, too.” We’ve seen this first hand at CityWorks DC, from building youth-focused resources at the Urban Institute to testing new applications at Limbic Systems. 

Our partner Monica Dodge from the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education emphasized the importance of data-driven approaches at the Summit, sharing, "Each data point tells a student's story—their pathway, their barriers. We need to use that information to design better systems." CityWorks DC helped lay the groundwork for this kind of system change through its early investment in the DC Education Through Employment Data System (ETEP). Today, ETEP continues to evolve under the leadership of the Deputy Mayor for Education’s office and the newly established Education Through Employment Pathways Office—led by Dodge herself. This cross-agency data initiative has become a critical backbone for understanding and improving the postsecondary journeys of DC learners.

Creating Multiple Pathways with Youth Apprenticeship

Led by CityWorks DC’s Noemi Almodovar Venkatraj and Jerelle Jenkins, the “Creating Multiple Pathways” session highlighted youth apprenticeship as an “options multiplier”—a strategy that expands postsecondary opportunities rather than limiting them. Through CareerWise DC, students gain access to paid, real-world roles in sectors like IT, business, finance, and healthcare, all while still in high school. “We’re helping students start their careers before they even graduate high school,” said Venkatraj. The presenters emphasized that apprenticeship is not a backup plan—it’s a powerful, equity-driven model that allows students to explore career paths, gain valuable skills, and clarify their goals, whether they choose to pursue college, work, or both.

The session also addressed the systemic shifts needed to normalize and expand access to apprenticeship opportunities—particularly among DC’s young people of color. Jenkins reminded attendees, “Apprenticeship is not just the right thing to do—it’s good business. It’s about investing in local talent for the long-term.” The session challenged educators, counselors, and workforce leaders to reframe how they talk about postsecondary success and to bring families into the conversation early. Jenkins emphasized the importance of employer accountability, stating, “We work hard to ensure that employers have structures in place to support students—so they’re not just doing the right thing, but setting young people up to thrive.” The session underscored youth apprenticeship as a practical, inclusive, and scalable pathway to economic mobility in DC.

Spotlight on Hire Local DC

CityWorks DC’s Erin Ward Bibo joined leaders from Turner Construction, Levy Restaurants, Donohue Hospitality, and the Federal City Council to share what employers are really looking for in entry-level talent—and how the Hire Local DC Sector Partnerships are helping bridge that gap. “We set up Hire Local DC Sector Partnerships to mobilize, catalyze, and support industry leaders and partners to increase the proportion of DC residents hired and grow the confidence companies have in local talent,” Bibo explained. 

The session spotlighted innovations in interview readiness that CityWorks DC has built with the Federal City Council, such as the DC Talent Pipeline Toolkit and our Hiring Events with industry partners. Rustin Moore of Donohoe Hospitality emphasized that these kinds of resources are making a real difference: “It’s a tangible feeling—people come in knowing what we’re expecting, knowing they need these skills… After we came up with this new process, job-readiness skyrocketed to about 90%.” Speakers underscored that wraparound support, mentorship, and real-world preparation are all crucial for long-term retention and success. The session made clear that by aligning employer needs with student and candidate preparation, DC is building a more inclusive and effective workforce pipeline.

Insights from the Alumni Panel

The alumni panel at the DC Postsecondary Success Summit brought to life the critical importance of expanding postsecondary options and providing early work experience. Moderated by CityWorks DC apprentice alum Jubei Brown-Weaver, now a Packaged App Developer at Accenture, the panel featured inspiring stories from graduates who took nontraditional and deeply impactful paths. Each panelist demonstrated how early exposure to the workforce—through internships, apprenticeships, or work-study—was pivotal in shaping their confidence, goals, and long-term career success. “It wasn’t clear in the beginning, but I found my pathway,” Jubei shared. “Literally anything is possible.

Panelists like Donte Brooks, The Next Step Public Charter School alum and current University of the District of Columbia student and Agnes Signou, a Marymount University alum and Business Analyst at CGI Federal, credited programs like dual enrollment and high school internships for showing them alternatives to the traditional four-year route. Kenya Henry (2023 UDC graduate, DC Achievers, Economic Club of Washington, New Futures Scholar, Urban Alliance alum) reflected on how real-world experience helped her discover her passion for supporting students and families. These alumni underscored a clear takeaway: when young people are given opportunities to explore careers early, they’re more equipped to make informed decisions about their futures—whether that includes college, work, or both. Their stories offered powerful proof that meaningful postsecondary success isn’t about following one path, it’s about having real choices.

Looking Ahead

As the DC Postsecondary Success Summit made clear, our city is at a turning point—one where traditional definitions of success are being replaced with more inclusive, student-centered models. CityWorks DC is proud to be part of a movement that not only imagines what’s possible, but actively builds the systems, partnerships, and opportunities to make it real. Whether through youth apprenticeship, data infrastructure, or employer engagement, our work is grounded in the belief that every young person in DC deserves access to a future they can shape with confidence and pride. We’re grateful to our partners at the DC Postsecondary Success Collaborative and beyond for taking part in this important work together.