In 2018, CFES Brilliant Pathways received a seven-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education to boost the number of rural Northern New York students prepared to thrive in postsecondary education and careers. Based in Essex, NY, the nonprofit has since raised over $8 million in matching funds to support the North Country program.

Through partnerships with more than 100 colleges and businesses and the training of 800 volunteers, CFES helped 3,638 rural students chart pathways beyond high school. “Several thousand young people have brighter futures because of this program,” said CFES President Rick Dalton. “It’s a story of success for a population with significant needs.”

More than 25% of participants were first-generation college students, and nearly 70% are either enrolled in or headed toward postsecondary study. Every student developed a personalized plan for life after high school. Among those entering the workforce immediately, 96% earned a credential—ranging from certifications in medical procedures to welding.

While most U.S. students receive only 38 minutes annually of college and career guidance, students in the North Country program averaged more than 10 hours of direct support each year. The program delivered 27,425 hours of counseling, 73,672 hours of mentoring, and hosted over 5,300 college and career readiness events during the grant period. Programming focused on essential skills, college preparation, and career exploration.

Students engaged with professionals from organizations like Netflix, Southwest Airlines, Colgate-Palmolive, and the Kansas City Chiefs. They toured companies such as BETA Technologies, an electric aircraft firm in Burlington, VT, and participated in hands-on STEM activities with West Point cadets. CFES also introduced students to careers that would allow them to remain in the North Country.

Campus visits were central to the experience. Students toured 14 local colleges and received mentorship from dozens of Middlebury College and SUNY Plattsburgh athletes and hundreds of other college volunteers. Students also developed CFES’ branded Essential Skills, such as leadership, agility, and teamwork—attributes often missing from standard curricula.

The program produced many success stories:

• Kayleigh, a Beekmantown graduate now at SUNY Plattsburgh, merged her passions for music and medicine by studying music therapy.
• Emily, graduating from Moriah Central School in 2025, competed at the Northeast Regional Science Fair and advanced to the Africa Science Busker Festival in Zimbabwe. She will study Geomatics Engineering Technology at SUNY Alfred.
• Holden, a Willsboro graduate, is majoring in biology with a psychology focus at SUNY Plattsburgh, aiming to better understand and impact the human mind. He plans to use his education to change the world through understanding the human mind.

“One of our objectives was to expose young people to career and education opportunities right here in the North Country,” said CEO Tara Smith. “We held 272 college exploration visits and brought mentors from industries like engineering, aviation, and business to work with our students.”

At Franklin Academy in Malone, over 60 seniors completed 224 college-level courses at North Country Community College and SUNY Potsdam. Grayson, one of those students, graduated a year early and enrolled at North Country with plans to transfer to SUNY Plattsburgh to pursue anthropology.

The program emphasized the value of credentials—whether a degree or trade certification. “An $18-an-hour job behind a cash register might look good short-term,” said program leader Ron Rix, “but where are those kids in three years? We helped them dream bigger. We asked: not just what do you want to be, but what do you want to be known for? What impact do you want to make?”

Although the 2018 federal grant has ended, Smith confirmed that Brilliant Pathways will continue to work in the North Country with schools and students to carry on the mission it launched.