NEW YORK, November 14, 2025—Teach For America (TFA) today released a list of colleges and universities contributing the greatest number of alumni to its teaching corps. This year’s incoming corps of more than 2,300 leaders hails from nearly 600 colleges and universities, and 44% are first generation-college graduates, while 66% come from low-income backgrounds.

• Among large schools, the University of Texas at Austin, Arizona State University, and the University of California Los Angeles contributed the greatest number of alumni to the TFA corps, with more than 100 graduates combined leading classrooms this school year.
• North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Vanderbilt University, and George Washington University topped medium-sized schools, contributing more than 60 alumni collectively.
• Among small schools, Spelman College, DePauw University, and Macalester College topped the list, with more than 40 total alumni joining the corps.

The newest corps expands Teach For America’s network to over 75,000 leaders committed to working alongside many others in rural and urban communities across the country to ensure that every child has an education that prepares them to learn, lead and thrive.

A sense of purpose is essential to job satisfaction and well-being, according to a survey of members of Generation Z. But too often they are channeled into narrow pathways, resulting in a generation of would-be changemakers who feel stuck on the sidelines while the biggest problems in communities go unsolved, causing a purpose gap. Teach For America was built to solve this gap for young people coming out of college, serving as a launchpad for early-career leadership rooted in service, learning, and community impact and enabling individuals to make a difference in the short- and long-term.

Teach For America bases their recruitment efforts on research that shows a corps member who significantly expands opportunity for students often possesses the following characteristics: a deep belief in the potential of all kids; a demonstrated ability to create meaningful change and a bold vision beyond the status quo; a strong commitment to learning; and respect for individuals' experiences and the ability to work effectively with people from a variety of backgrounds.

“For 35 years, Teach For America has championed talented early-career leaders dedicated to impact,” said Darin Lim Yankowitz, Senior Vice President for Recruitment at Teach For America. “For these leaders, teaching is more than a first job: corps members step into real responsibility with coaching, mentorship, and a community that believes in every child. And along the way, they build the skills and resilience to lead in education and every sector that intersects with it. Surveys show trust in public education is low even as student needs rise, while Gen Z is consistently seeking authentic pathways to contribute. TFA is able to offer a bridge between those needs, and we are so excited about all of the young leaders joining our movement to ensure all children have access to an excellent education.”

Alumni demonstrate that this work is not about two years, but is about joining a movement that starts in classrooms and lasts a lifetime: the organization has seen nearly 70,000 participants through its corps member program, and those individuals serve as leaders in every sector from education, nonprofits, government, policy, medicine, law, and business. Their stories show that when purpose is put into action, it carries forward, shaping careers, strengthening communities, and inspiring the next generation to follow.

About Teach For America

Teach For America works in partnership with communities across the country to reach One Day when every child has access to an excellent education. Founded in 1990, Teach For America finds, develops, and supports a growing network of leaders who expand opportunity for children from classrooms, schools, and every sector and field that impact a young person’s education. Today, Teach For America is a force of over 75,000 alumni, corps members, and Ignite fellows working in pursuit of profound change so that one day every child has the opportunity to learn, lead, thrive, and co-create a future filled with possibility. Teach For America is a proud member of the AmeriCorps national service network. For more information, visit www.teachforamerica.org and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Threads.

Contact:
Rachel Tennenbaum
408.250.2877
rachel.tennenbaum@teachforamerica.org