Angela Bugayong is chief operating officer at Students Rising Above, where she leads operations and strategic initiatives to support first-generation students in achieving college and career success. She previously served as interim chief executive officer, providing executive leadership during a period of organizational growth and transition. Prior to that, she was chief program officer and senior director of program strategy, where she led the development of programs, data systems, and infrastructure to increase impact and sustainability.

Before joining Students Rising Above, Angela was associate director at the College Board’s Access Learning Lab, where she led the development of a data-informed advising tool used by counselors to support 1,600 high school students through critical college planning milestones. Prior to that, she managed programs and partnerships focused on college access and success for students in Washington, DC’s Wards 7 and 8, driving measurable outcomes. Earlier in her career, she served as senior program officer at College Success Foundation, overseeing programs that supported hundreds of students from historically marginalized communities on their path to college graduation.

Angela’s passion for education is deeply rooted in her own story. Her mother immigrated from the Philippines and joined the U.S. Air Force shortly after her birth. Raised by her grandparents alongside her younger sister, Angela grew up with a strong belief in the power of hard work and education. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a focus in Public Administration from California State University, Los Angeles, a Master’s in Education from the University of Phoenix, and a Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate from Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy.