Philadelphia Education Fund (PEF) was founded in 1985 to drive exceptional student outcomes through teacher development and the creation of pathways to college and career success. Today, Farah Jiménez serves as president and CEO, and is one of the leaders guiding the organization’s work with youth.
However, Farah’s story with education and her vocation for supporting younger generations began long before she arrived at PEF.
She grew up in Central Jersey, but her parents immigrated from Cuba. “I remember not knowing how to speak English as a child. I have many memories of not understanding what was happening around me,” she said in an exclusive interview with El Sol Latino Newspaper. Her parents chose to raise her in an English-speaking environment so she could learn the language, and she remembers a lack of diversity in those days—something very different from the country we see today. “It was extremely rare to talk about being a Spanish speaker.”
“Although I enjoyed my student life in Philadelphia, my dream was to live in Washington, D.C. Even as a child, I was very interested in politics and how government worked, perhaps because my parents were immigrants and coming to the United States felt like a gift to them (…) I was taught to love the United States,” she explained.
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Her plan was to return to Pennsylvania, become a lawyer, and remain in the nation’s capital in a government-related role. But life had other plans; she did not foresee falling deeply in love with the city of Philadelphia—and with her husband.
A Love for Education
Education has always been fundamental in her life. Her mother was able to graduate from medical school as an immigrant woman—something very uncommon at the time. Because of this, Farah now leads initiatives that generate tangible benefits for students, both inside and outside the classroom.
Before joining PEF, Jiménez served on the Philadelphia School District’s School Reform Commission and previously led the People’s Emergency Center.
“I always knew that, as in my parents’ case, education was what allowed them to succeed in the United States,” she said.
Of all students in Philadelphia, only 38% attend traditional public comprehensive high schools operated directly by the School District. Most students enroll in a diverse network of alternatives outside the traditional model, including charter schools, private and parochial institutions, and selective-admission programs.
This trend has concentrated the greatest barriers to economic mobility within the small group of remaining comprehensive neighborhood high schools. These are precisely the schools where equity challenges intensify—and where PEF has strategically focused its efforts and resources.
PEF’s work spans from high school through college, serving approximately 3,000 students each year.
“In these public schools there are students with ambition, talent, and potential. We truly believe that if we help them believe in themselves, they can go to college (…) It’s incredibly exciting to be part of this mission,” she added.
One case she recalls is that of a young woman who entered medical school with a scholarship. She was fascinated by medicine because her father was ill. She came from an immigrant family where, in her home country, women did not receive an education. Through the program, she realized she could change her future—and she did. Stories like hers are among the hundreds that inspire Farah daily to continue educating and supporting students.
PEF’s most representative programs include Spark Philadelphia, which introduces middle schoolers early to college and career exploration; the College Access Program, which offers four years of individualized guidance to 1,770 high school students at six schools; and Philadelphia Scholars, which removes financial barriers to higher education by awarding $900,000 annually through endowed and partner scholarships.
What Does the Future Look Like?
Although much has changed in recent years, PEF’s programs continue to receive support and funding. Still, Farah worries about certain ideas that have gained traction in society—such as the belief that “not all young people need to go to college.”
“A college education is the fastest path to long-term economic sustainability, and the data continues to prove it. It also shows that at least 72% of jobs in our region will require postsecondary education,” Jiménez affirmed.
Supporting students also means supporting economic mobility, as they receive the resources and experience needed for success in college and in their careers—something that translates directly into a more prepared and stable society. Young people in Philadelphia need access to opportunities that promote success both as students and as future members of the regional workforce.
Looking ahead, her primary goal for next year is to connect with more young students. “Our goal is to reach more schools (…) There are many schools in Philadelphia that could benefit from having full-time college advisors in their classrooms provided by nonprofits like ours,” Jiménez said.
And because PEF works within public schools, diversity among students is greater. One of her goals is to ensure that students, parents, and caregivers know they can build a future that includes college.
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