This empowerment program has been specifically designed to meet the unique challenges faced by students attending Community College. As a former Community College student who was clothed in an inferiority complex, riddled with low self esteem, and was a single father, Kirk Nugent, intimately understands and identifies with the challenges faced by Community College students today.

According to the American Association of Community Colleges, 47% of the nation’s African American college students are enrolled in Community Colleges, 56% of Hispanics and 57% of Native American students. The majority of these students are either low income and/or first generation college students. The challenges that these students face are vast, including, but certainly not limited to, a lack of academic preparation and they are being plagued by an impoverished self concept.  Some are already single parents struggling to raise a child while maintaining a full-time job and a decent grade point average. Others are facing challenges of low to no moral support at home. All these factors have a negative effect on student retention, performance, level of persistence, and outcome. 

In his, Achieving the Dream program, Kirk immediately grabs the attention of his audience by speaking their language, their jargon, their rhythm, their tempo. Using personal stories from his life, the audience immediately identifies with his struggle because of the similarity of their experiences.  His presentation is emotionally gripping, as he methodically shifts the students’ attention away from their liabilities, directing their energies to their possibilities.

While this 90 minute presentation is highly inspirational and motivational, it is designed to create a shift in each student’s self perception because countless studies have shown that in order to be a winner, one must first SEE himself as a winner. (*list of studies at bottom of page)

This program responds to the need of the community college student by giving them additional psychological tools necessary to carve out successful destinies. I have had a tremendous amount of success at creating an internal shift within students from hundreds of community colleges nationwide in addition to universities such as Cornell, Duke, Harvard, Purdue, Princeton, and Rutgers.  This Achieving the Dream program will have an impact on your students as well.   They will become better students as a result of an increase in their self esteem.  They will understand that their success is their responsibility.  They will come to know the importance of pursuing their passion.  They will gain clarity in terms of how integrity will be an integral part of their prosperity.  In the end, your students will leave this engagement with life-tools, motivation, and awareness that they can achieve more than they ever dreamed. 

Some of the topics covered include, but are not limited to:

• Time management.
• Personal responsibility
• How to distinguish between high value activities and low value activities.
• Students will learn the two most powerful words that can immediately transform their life
• Closing performance gaps among students
• Increase students’ belief in their ability to achieve.
• The value of persistence.
• Critical thinking.

Students will not only walk away with the desire to achieve but also with the confidence that they can.

*Studies: The National Institute for Student Motivation conducted a study showing that the impact of self confidence on achievement is greater than that of IQ

The ‘Covington Study’ was conducted in 1989 and it found that as the level of self esteem increases so do achievement, furthermore and perhaps most important, he concluded that self esteem can be modified through direct instruction and that such instruction can lead to achievement gains.

Walz & Bleuer 1992 study: Factors which are important to school success, such as positive feelings about self, absenteeism and school retention are affected by successful school self esteem programs.

A study conducted by The National Institute for Student Motivation regarding self esteem and the American child concluded that by the third grade 80% of students felt good about themselves. By the fifth grade only 20% of students felt good about themselves and by the senior year of High School, only 5% of students felt good about themselves.

Student Testimonials

"Kirk, I felt that your presentation was wonderful. You made me realize a lot of things that I’m doing wrong. There were so many times that I almost cried during the presentation. It was as though you were speaking directly to me. I know that it was meant for me to be here today to see you, so that you could open my eyes and I thank you."
Katie, Valencia Community College

" WOW! I only have this to say….EXCELLENT! That was the first speech that I heard, that I actually heard everything that was said. Keep it going because you give people hope and you point them in the right direction. Today you’ve pointed me in the right direction. Thank you, excellent job. "
Valencia Community College

" All I can say is Kirk Nugent performance was awesome. He introduced valid issues with a sense of style and humor. Because I really enjoyed his performance, I think everyone should take some time out of their busy schedule to listen to what he has to say." 
Tolu Onigbanjo, Princeton University

"What a wonderful eye opener! You are truly doing what you love and it shows. Not to sound “cheesy” but you changed not only my life but an auditorium full of lives. Thank You"
Julia, Valencia Community College

" I really enjoyed your speech at the convocation. You have really helped me in pursuing my dreams. I had a hard time with stepping outside of my comfort zone, always afraid of quitting or failing. Now I definitely know what I need to do in order for my goals to be fulfilled. "
Onika, Valencia Community College

" Moving, Powerful, Poignant, Brutally honest, Thought provoking and thoroughly enjoyable. As a fellow Jamaican I must say that I am extremely proud of Kirk Nugent. He came to Princeton on Saturday, September 15th and this is a night that will stay with me for the rest of my life. The profundity of Kirk's words moved me to tears at one point, while in another instant he would have me in stitches of laughter. This man is certainly gifted and I would love for him to come back to Princeton. I enjoyed his speech so much that I had to buy the DVD so that I could listen to him anytime I wanted to. Good luck Kirk and thank you for coming! "
Nicole, Princeton University