Ariel Belk

As Manager of Data and Innovation, Ariel leads program data collection efforts and supports strategic planning to drive impact and continuous improvement.

Ariel is a Chicago Public Schools alum who grew up on Chicago’s West Side. Her passion for education began during her senior year of high school, inspired by the unwavering support and encouragement of her sister, who helped guide her through her postsecondary journey. Ariel went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Human Development from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and later pursued a Master’s degree in School Counseling, deepening her commitment to supporting students — especially first-generation college students.

Over the past decade, Ariel has built a career in education and the nonprofit sector, serving as both a College Team Member and a National Senior Director of Enrollment Support. In these roles, she has supported thousands of first-generation college students in enrolling in and persisting through college. Ariel’s work reflects her life’s mission: to be for others what her sister was for her—a consistent source of guidance, support, and belief. She remains deeply grateful for the journey that shaped her path.

Outside of work, Ariel enjoys traveling, organizing her home, and spending quality time with her daughter, Alivia.