When Jose Toledo-Alvarez left class at Stanton College Preparatory School for an unexpected presentation at the University of North Florida, he had no idea of the impact it would have on his life’s trajectory.

Born in Ecuador and raised in Jacksonville by his mother, Alicia, a Spanish teacher, Toledo-Alvarez was focused on avoiding student debt and becoming a commercial airline pilot. That changed when he learned about Thrive Scholars, a national nonprofit that propels high-achieving students from under-resourced communities into top-tier colleges and high-impact careers.

“I almost didn’t apply,” he recalled. “But in hindsight, it’s one of those decisions that changed everything.”

Thrive Scholars offers a six-year continuum of academic, financial and professional support from the summer before a student’s senior year of high school through college graduation and early career. The program begins with a six-week Summer Academy at Amherst College, where students complete rigorous coursework in calculus and writing. From there, they receive individualized college access counseling, mentorship and career coaching to help them navigate competitive academic environments and position themselves for long-term economic mobility.

“Our students are among the top performers in their schools,” said Hannah Oberholtzer, Executive Director of Thrive Scholars in Jacksonville. “But many of them assume they can’t afford to aim higher. Thrive helps them see what’s possible and how to get there.”

For Toledo-Alvarez, that meant pivoting from aviation to academics. Surrounded by peers with Ivy League ambitions, he broadened his focus and applied to top-tier institutions. He was accepted to Cornell University, where he now studies Industrial and Labor Relations, with all expenses covered through Cornell’s no-loan aid package.

This summer, Toledo-Alvarez is interning with Haskell’s Human Resources team, exploring the future of labor and how artificial intelligence is reshaping workforce dynamics. The opportunity was made possible through Thrive’s network and a connection between his Thrive mentor, Chris Kalin, Regional President of PNC Bank in North Florida, and Haskell CEO Jim O’Leary.

“It’s been the kind of internship that’s designed around growth,” Toledo-Alvarez said. “Haskell’s been open to helping me explore different parts of the company and connect with people who can speak to my interests. The culture here is sincere and supportive.

“I still love aviation, but now I’m thinking bigger; consulting, maybe human resources, or technology. Thrive helped me see what was possible. And Haskell gave me a place to start seeing it in action.”

Haskell is a strategic community and internship partner with Thrive Scholars in Northeast Florida. The partnership supports Haskell’s long-term diversity and inclusion initiatives and aligns with the company’s mission to develop a future-ready workforce. O’Leary, who serves on Thrive’s local advisory board, sees the program as a natural extension of Haskell’s values.

“Thrive is not just putting money toward a degree,” O’Leary said. “It’s creating a path to success for students who are committed, talented and ready to contribute to their communities.”

Thrive’s expansion into Northeast Florida in 2023 marked its first entry into the South, a region rich with untapped academic potential. With 52 students currently supported across Duval and Putnam counties, the Jacksonville region is rapidly building a pipeline of talent and reconnecting it with the communities they call home.

“Jose’s story is a model for what’s possible,” Oberholtzer said. “We’re preparing students for college, creating the conditions for them to thrive in their careers and return to uplift their communities.”

Haskell’s partnership with Thrive Scholars exemplifies our commitment to creating lasting community impact through education and workforce development. Contact us to learn more.