Cordell Givens, a senior at Wentworth Institute of Technology, majoring in Computer Science, whose journey of breakthrough is a testament to what can happen when support meets aspiration.  

Growing up, Cordell realized early on that pursuing higher education was the key to a future with more opportunities. With the guidance of his Alumni Success Coach, Ferlisa, a trusted mentor, whom he turns to whenever he hits a roadblock, Cordell has navigated college life with resilience.  

Despite the financial strain of attending an expensive institution, Cordell has persevered. When he graduates this year, he is looking forward to a future in video game development—a passion sparked at age nine with his favorite game, Toontown. Last summer, Cordell traveled two hours each way to an internship at Mitre Corporation to gain experience in network engineering that will further his career goals.  

Critical to Cordell’s breakthrough are the people who impacted him – inspiring Passport and Alumni Success Coaches and a community of supportive students. 

Today, Cordell is proud of how far he’s come, and excited to continue learning and growing in a career that blends his love for computers and creativity. 

In his own words, college has been “an amazing experience,” and one that was advanced through the work of the Boston HERC. Cordell has worked hard to create a path forward and wants other students to have the same opportunity.