We believe that all students, even those most at risk of non-completion, can succeed and graduate college.
We will empower you by providing guidance and resources that focus on higher education access and success.

Dr. Marcia Cantarella

“I do this work because I believe that education is the game changer for
families and I know from experience that sensitive strong leadership,
critical information and practical resources will make graduation possible.”

The tools that I provide for you:

Workshops and presentations designed with your students in mind.

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Assistance is there for you to create programs advancing student success.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

I CAN Finish College is a complete guide on applying for college and graduating with success.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

 We empower you by providing guidance and
resources that focus on higher education access and success.

Use this site as a helpful resource.
In additon to my services this site provides you with
critical links to many resources – addressing key issues,
and tools that can provide additonal information on
those topics found in my book.

Marcia Cantarella is the author of I CAN Finish College: The Overcome Any Obstacle and Get Your Degree Guide which educators, parents and students say is a goldmine of information and strategies especially for first generation, low-income and students of color who struggle to complete college degrees.

Dr. Cantarella has been an Associate Dean at Hunter College,  a Dean at Princeton University and part of the Dean’s staff at New York University’s College of Arts and Science. In these functions she has been responsible for academic advisement, career development, preparation for postgraduate fellowships, development of diversity programs, and strategies to generally enhance students’ academic experience and outcomes. She has drawn on 15 years of corporate experience gained as a Director in Public Affairs and then in Marketing at Avon Products to apply those skills and background to communications challenges, financial and strategic planning in a higher education environment. As Vice-President of Student Affairs at Metropolitan College of NY she was responsible for web development and rebranding of the College as well as admissions and student services. In each of these roles she has also engaged in fundraising and philanthropic activities.

She is also President of Cantarella Consulting, focusing on issues of student success, access and diversity. Consulting projects and clients have included Kingsborough Community College, The One Club, and work on the educational support for the PBS films All the Difference and College Behind Bars. She is the Co-Director of the CUNY Black Male Initiative at Hunter College.

She serves on the boards of Saint Elizabeth University, READ Alliance, DEGREES NYC, Create Change Transform, and the Boy Scout Council of Greater NY.

Having a doctorate in American Studies with a focus on American business she has also taught courses relating to working and consuming in America at Princeton, Hunter College and NYU.

She has been honored by an array of organizations including the Harlem YMCA, the Links, Inc., and  the Congress of Italian American Organizations, the Sylvia and Herbert Woods Foundation, Bryn Mawr College,  and READ Alliance. She has been been published in Vital Speeches.

Dr. Cantarella graduated with Honors from Bryn Mawr College and has her Masters and Doctoral degrees from New York University in American Studies.

“I do this work because I believe that strong leadership, clear information and great resources will result in higher access to college and students who succeed.”

ACT, Inc. (the home of the American College Testing Program) reports that nationally,
only 53% of students who enter college graduate in 5 years.
The majority of those who do not complete are first generation.
Hello Ms. Cantarella, I hope you are doing well. I am a rising high school senior. I met you at The College Guidance workshop on Wednesday, 7/30 at 5 PM. It was my pleasure meeting you. I was amazed as you talked about college life. I learned a lot from the conference. I am also learning from your book. As I was reading it I discovered many important facts to keep on mind while applying for college. Before reading the book I never thought how important can those information be in the long run. I just wanted to thank you for taking your valuable time and talking to us. I have took several notes as you spoke that day. I will use every advice you gave us in persona and in your book. Ream, my aunt became a fan of yours after she finished reading the book. She advises me about college in general. She was glad that I attended the workshop because I have a better knowledge about college life now. Again, thank you for your time and support.
Sincerely, Mamataz