The Power of One-on-One: A Writing Partner’s Impact

For Natalie Bess Picciano, being a writing partner combines her passion for education with the joy of one-on-one mentoring. “I was an English teacher for six years, and while I loved teaching juniors about college essays, I always felt starved for time to give students the feedback they deserved because there were 100 of them,” she shares. At Mission Graduates, she found what she was looking for: “I was thrilled at the chance to work deeply with just one student, having the time to fully understand their story and help them craft it into a compelling narrative.”

Her experience with Gabby exemplifies the impact of personalized support. Together, they explored Gabby’s passion for social justice and dedication to family, which led them to discover Pitzer College. “Seeing Gabby’s joy and pride when she was accepted was one of my most meaningful moments of 2024,” Natalie shares. Today, Gabby thrives at Pitzer, supported by a combination of scholarships and financial aid.

As Mission Graduates’ Director of Program Impact, Natalie sees both the data and personal stories of educational equity. “Being a writing partner helps fill my cup in a different but equally important way,” she explains. “It serves as a constant reminder that there is an individual with their own stories and dreams behind every number.”

“It turns out, the college application process is still complicated and often difficult to navigate even for adults,” she notes. “This really reaffirmed my belief that every student deserves the personalized support of someone like a writing partner.” Her advice for potential volunteers? “DO IT! It is rare to find a volunteer opportunity in which you make such a concrete impact on another person’s life, and get to see the fruits of that impact for many years to come.”

Natalie’s journey from volunteer to staff member demonstrates how meaningful connections can transform both students and supporters alike.