DC College Access Program Celebrates College Signing Day 2024 and Announces Ambitious 2050 Moonshot Goal

DC College Access Program (DC-CAP) Celebrates College Signing Day 2024 and Launches Ambitious 2050 Moonshot Goal

Washington, D.C., April 30, 2024 — Today, the DC College Access Program (DC-CAP) hosted a momentous event at Capital One Arena to commemorate College Signing Day 2024. This annual celebration marks a significant milestone for thousands of students from Washington, D.C. and the greater D.C., Maryland, Virginia (DMV) area as they commit to their post-secondary paths. Not only does this event honor the 25th anniversary of DC-CAP, a nonprofit dedicated to helping students prepare for, enroll in, and graduate from college, but it also serves as the launchpad for an ambitious city-wide 2050 Moonshot Goal.

The 2050 Moonshot Goal aims to achieve an 80% college graduation rate among DC students by 2050, with the support of a diverse coalition of leaders from education, business, philanthropy, government, and non-profit sectors. Notable partners such as KPMG, Mainstay, and Sallie Mae have committed to making higher education accessible and equitable for all students in Washington, D.C.

DC-CAP’s CEO, Eric Waldo, expressed his excitement about the community’s commitment to this ambitious goal, stating, “The students and families in our nation’s capital have incredible gifts and talents—and if we meet them with resources, high standards, high expectations, and a pathway to opportunity—if we truly aim for the moon–this community will rise up.”

The event featured special performances, appearances by local luminaries, and opportunities for students to win scholarships and prizes. Board Chair Ted Leonsis and President and CEO Eric Waldo were joined by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, D.C. Public Schools Chancellor Dr. Lewis D. Ferebee, and Wizards forward Anthony Gill in celebrating the students’ achievements and aspirations in education.

Former U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, commended the initiative, stating, “Given the education setbacks we are seeing across the country post-COVID, we need leaders doubling down, not lowering their sights. This 2050 goal is exactly what D.C. needs to help rally students, families, elected officials, educators, and the business community forward.”

The event also highlighted the support of various pledge signers, including leaders from Deloitte, Georgetown University, KPMG, and more, who have committed to advancing the goals of DC-CAP and the 2050 Moonshot Goal.

DC-CAP continues to build support for its city-wide initiative to close the educational achievement gap and create a more equitable educational landscape in Washington, D.C. For more information about DC-CAP and their mission, visit https://dccap.org/.

For media inquiries, please contact: info@dccap.org.