From Proximity to Belonging: Ryan Turner on Closing Maryland’s Postsecondary Gap
Spotlight Article: Learn about IYT Maryland’s Executive Director, Ryan Turner
Across the US, higher education faces a growing challenge: The college enrollment rate for young men of color, particularly Black men, has been steadily declining for over a decade. In Maryland, where world-class institutions sit just miles away from underserved neighborhoods, the issue isn’t always geographic proximity, it’s belonging.
“Proximity does not always mean access,” says Ryan Turner, Executive Director of IYT Maryland. “Many of the young men we serve live just miles from world-class institutions, but may not see themselves as belonging there. IYT helps bridge that gap.”
IYT programming is designed to engage directly with young men of color (“Brothers”) to eliminate barriers to postsecondary education through academic guidance, deep mentorship, campus exposure, and holistic support.
Turning Proximity into Belonging
The impact of this approach is felt most clearly in real-world encounters. During a college exposure trip to the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), IYT Brothers unexpectedly crossed paths with UMBC President Dr. Valerie Sheares Ashby. She spent nearly 20 minutes answering their questions and detailing available academic and financial resources.
For one student from Green Street Academy, the brief conversation changed everything. “I feel like I can go to this school,” he shared afterward. “She made me feel like I can go here.”
Though UMBC was only 15 minutes from his home, that 20-minute interaction transformed a nearby campus into an attainable future.
“Sometimes a young person simply needs an experience that allows them to see what is possible for their own life.”
(L) Juwan Nicholson, Associate Program Director and (R) Ryan Turner, Executive Director of IYT Maryland
Measurable Growth & Innovation
The organization’s “5-star standard” is yielding clear, tangible results:
Academic Progress: Between 2024 and 2025, the average GPA of IYT Maryland Brothers climbed from 2.63 to 3.22.
Mental Health Support: Through a partnership with the Maryland Department of Service and Civic Innovation and the Governor’s Office of Service and Volunteerism, IYT joined the Youth Mental Health Corps. Mentors receive training to provide mental health support, addressing critical wellbeing needs directly.
Institutional Partnerships: Following IYT’s West Coast model, the Maryland team is actively working with institutions like UMBC and Morgan State University to establish guaranteed admission agreements.
Building a Pipeline for Generational Prosperity
Looking toward the next three to five years, Turner envisions IYT Maryland as a central pillar in the state’s cradle-to-college pipeline. The goal extends beyond enrollment metrics; it focuses on linking higher education directly to career readiness, workforce integration, and long-term economic mobility.
“Our work is about more than improving statistics,” Turner notes. “It’s about expanding what young men believe is possible for their lives.”
How to Get Involved
Building an ecosystem of support requires broader community action. Community members, corporate partners, and allies can support IYT Maryland by:
Donating to fund student exposure trips and program resources
Volunteering as mentors or facilitating career exposure opportunities
Connecting IYT with regional corporate and educational leaders
Joining the regional Board of Advisors to help drive long-term strategic growth
Interested in learning more about how you can partner with IYT Maryland to have real impact and create lasting change? Hit the button below to get in touch!