Our Story

Chris Wills developed the concept of a program for students facing the unknown transition to their future when, as a junior in college, he reflected on his own transition and the struggles he faced. With a been-there-recently perspective and entrepreneurial spirit, Wills founded Student Paths in 1997 as a program aimed at helping high school students prepare for their future by uncovering their true interests and passions and offering useful advice.

The Student Paths program was first hand delivered to schools in Minnesota and has since evolved into a multi-faceted program that now reaches the desks of more than 1 million students across the country.

2000-- Student Paths created a new business model that moved the program from the counselor's office into the classroom and added Student Interest Cards. The Wisconsin and Illinois editions were created that same year, quickly followed by the Missouri, Ohio, Northern California, and Michigan editions the following school year - bringing the total to seven states.

2004-- Student Paths expanded its scope yet again by adding the New York, Pennsylvania, New England and Southern California markets-bringing the total to 11. Additionally, the Student Paths' Lesson Plan Guide was created, and with it, the program evolved into the classroom resource it is today. By utilizing the Lesson Plan Guide as part of the program, Student Paths was able to provide a tool for facilitators and educators to engage young readers within the classroom itself.

2005-- Student Paths shifted its outreach focus from a single contact within a high school to that of multiple contacts. Changing the focus from simply working with high school counselors to adding teachers at each high school allowed the program to go deeper into each school and impact more students.

2007-08-- Student Paths expanded to an additional four markets including Texas, Florida, the Pacific Northwest (Washington and Oregon) and the Mid-Atlantic (Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and Washington D.C.).

Since its inception in 1997, Student Paths has made tremendous strides. The program is now featured in more than 3,000 high schools, and is being used by more than 1 million high school students. Student Paths continues to expand and share its passion for helping students connect to their future.