A first-generation college graduate herself, Cinthya Miranda-McIntosh's journey has equipped her with a unique understanding of the obstacles, needs, and questions that higher education aspiring students and their families may have. This allows her and her colleagues to mentor participants from uncertainty and a lack of knowledge about the college process to successful college entry and beyond.

A Journey for the Entire Family

Miranda-McIntosh shared her journey: "I was born in Mexico, and when we moved here my mom did not know much about the college application process.” She therefore had to take it upon herself to learn the system. This experience inspired her to work with students, starting as a math tutor and now in her current position as director starting in 2019. “I felt it was God just telling me that I was needed here so that the students do not have to go through the college process alone.”

Key to the student’s success is walking with the whole family. “We are there for the parents, coaching them as they explore college options with the kids, not taking it personally if a student decides to go away to school, and also talking through the benefits of supporting a child’s decision to attend college.” Emireth Fernandez is currently in Holy Cross Achievers and described how it has transformed her family’s worldview. “What was common knowledge about college to others was not common knowledge to me. Before HCA, I felt that my path to college was uncertain, but now I view my path to college as existent, which is a huge deal for my family because I am achieving a big step in my future that my parents did not achieve.”

Miranda-McIntosh often hears back from parents who have gone through the process, including Nancy Franzino, who has one current Saint Francis student and one graduate whom HCA guided. “When my older son was a part of Holy Cross Achievers, the program leaders literally held my hand when he applied to colleges.” Nancy credits HCA with walking the whole family through the process of college applications from financial aid to simple daily encouragement. She emphatically shared, “Working with Mrs. McIntosh and HCA has been such a blessing to our family! We truly believe in the program and what it stands for.”

The Unexpected Call to Leadership

When Miranda-McIntosh was first approached to tutor in the program, she admits that she was unsure whether, as a student of public education, she could make a difference at Saint Francis High School. “As soon as he told me who the students were and where they came from, I saw myself in them.” She agreed to help on the spot and has never looked back.

She also credits Saint Francis High with providing an environment in which the program has grown: “Now we have about 68 students, and every student has a mentor who will be with them for four years. This means there is another adult, besides our staff, who looks after the kids and checks with them, and not just about the academics.”

Principal Katie Teekell spoke to the pride that Saint Francis takes in its HCA students: “They are incredible scholars, musicians, performers, student-athletes, and leaders in everything from Robotics to Affinity Groups to Campus Ministry. Not only do they contribute their gifts and talents to our school community, but 100% of our HCA students go onto college and, even more importantly, become faith-filled leaders in our broader community.”

The Legacy of the Holy Cross Brothers

HCA's goal is simple but richly imbued with the legacy of the Holy Cross Brothers, the religious order who founded Saint Francis High School in 1955. According to Miranda-McIntosh, "We want our students to have a better future and a smoother transition from here to college. Our doors are always open. That is what the brothers wanted: that is their legacy.”

Teekell also weighed in on this legacy, “When Blessed Basil Moreau founded the Congregation of Holy Cross, he intended to provide education for all of those who needed it; to ‘meet students where they are and move them forward.'" On a practical level, this forward step to college for HCA members is made smoother through organized college visits, resume writing, and alumni panels, which are vital to student success. Miranda McIntosh explains, “Students listen when alumni address ‘how we did it.’ After speaking to a former student, I have witnessed current students who were unsure about a major or a path make a more informed decision.”

Saint Francis alumnus and college graduate Carlos Zaizar, now a lead veterinary technician, talked about how Holy Cross Achievers helped his success: "HCA was the support system and structure I needed. My medical exams were extremely difficult, as I do not test well. I applied every study habit I learned through tutoring and mentoring in HCA throughout college.”

Similarly Alumnus Nathan Franzino shared how their attention impacted his studies. “I feel like I will never be able to repay them for their dedication and patience with me. They go above and beyond for all students that utilize their program and resources. They have transformed a former 2.7 GPA high school freshman who never did his reading into a 3.8 college student. That transformation is because their dedication blessed my life.”

Holy Cross Achievers as a Family

Holy Cross Achievers' approach includes family-centered welcoming events on campus, such as family barbeques, summer retreats, and information nights. These allow the students and their families to ask questions, meet school leadership, and become comfortable on campus.

Current student Christian Chifan had this to say about Miranda McIntosh, using terms of familiarity that characterize the closeness that those in the program feel toward their mentor. “Ms. M&M and the other HCA staff's dedication to myself and the other students in our program is something we students don't take for granted.”  This appreciation for the HCA continues long after students have graduated.

Miranda-McIntosh supplied one example. “Around two weeks, I received a message from an alum, saying, ‘I just want to let you know I was admitted to Loyola Marymount University for my master's degree.'” She also receives messages from students who want to share their life with their former mentor. “These messages say things like, ‘Hey, so do you have time to chat? I want to run something with you,’ completely out of the blue! Messages like that feed my faith.”

Three out of four HCA administrators are also first-generation college graduates like Miranda-McIntosh, which sets the tone of understanding, support, and ‘family,’ which is the word Miranda-McIntosh feels encapsulates the group. “We always refer to ourselves as a family, and I think if you talk to any of the kids, the first thing they would say is that we are family, a community where they can be themselves, and we are going to help them get ahead.”

Touching the Future

As a missionary disciple, Miranda McIntosh continues to strive to provide the support she and her family needed when she was a high school student. She tells one story that stands out as confirmation that she is on the right path. “When I became the director of the program, there was this one mom that saw me after I accepted the position. She came and hugged me and said, ‘Thank you.’” When Miranda-McIntosh asked her what she was being thanked for, the mother explained, “Thank you for giving a role model to my daughters. You are a woman, a woman of color, a college graduate, and they will always look up to you.”

Many of the Holy Cross Achievers do become success stories, a tangible affirmation for Miranda-McIntosh of her role as an educator, director, first-generation college graduate, and Faith. She says, “Working in this program is touching the future where you see the fruits of seeds you planted many years ago in the students. They grow up to pay forward what they have learned and now serve others, providing the services to other generations.”