About 62.6% of Sarasota County students continue their education or training after high school. A coalition of more than 40 organizations wants to push that rate to 70% by 2030.
The Education Foundation of Sarasota County leads PLANit Sarasota, a college and career access network that pairs high school students with adult mentors, arranges career site visits and connects first-generation college-goers with professionals who have walked a similar path. Jennifer Vigne, the foundation's president and CEO, outlined the effort in a guest column published Sept. 5 in SRQ Magazine.
"For a student who would be the first in their family to pursue a degree or credential, a mentor can become something more: proof that someone like them can do it," Vigne wrote.
Mentoring track links students with career paths
The program's Career-Connected Mentoring track pairs Sarasota County high school students with adults who help them explore careers, build professional skills and map out post-graduation plans. The mentoring program is free and open to any student or volunteer, according to the Education Foundation's website.
Fawley Bryant Architecture led a group of PLANit Sarasota's Future-Ready Scholars on a tour of Raymond James Stadium covering careers in architecture, engineering, operations, hospitality, broadcast and event management. Florida Power & Light, Coca-Cola Beverages Florida and PGT have hosted similar career conversations and site visits, Vigne wrote.
Sarasota High student credits mentor for art show
At Sarasota High School, the program connected student Hallela Hall with Pamela Olin, a professional artist and designer with nearly 45 years of experience. Hall's photography teacher, Debra Markley, referred her to the foundation's mentoring program. With Olin's help, Hall organized an art show featuring her photography of motorcycles, cars, wildlife and plants. In an Education Foundation profile published in April, Hall said Olin helped her manage deadlines for assignments and completed art pieces.
The results matter locally. Maria Guardado, the foundation's mentoring manager at Riverview High School, said in that same profile that matching mentors and students around shared interests creates immediate results.
Big Brothers program reports strong outcomes
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast reported in its 2025-26 outcomes that 100% of its graduating seniors moved on to postsecondary education, the military or employment. The organization serves Sarasota County among 10 counties and said hundreds of youth are still waiting for a mentor match.
Statewide goal sets a higher benchmark
The 62.6% baseline and 70% target cited by Vigne apply to Sarasota County, though the specific body that set the goal was not identified in her column. A related but distinct statewide goal aims to have 60% of working-age adults hold a degree or high-value certification by 2030, according to a Gulf Coast Community Foundation report.
How to get involved
Residents interested in becoming mentors can email the Education Foundation at [email protected]. Sarasota County Schools is hosting College Night on Thursday, Sept. 17, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Suncoast Technical College, 4748 S. Beneva Road.
