Bottom Line Brings on New Chief Growth Officer to Expand Reach to First-Gen Students

Today, Bottom Line, a research-backed college advising nonprofit that partners with first-generation students and those from low-income families, announced Farhad Asghar as its new chief growth officer. With ambitious goals to directly serve 20,000 degree-aspiring students per year across 7-10 new regions by 2030, Bottom Line is enthusiastic about how Asghar’s extensive experience will drive the organization forward.

“In our efforts to advance access to opportunity for more students, we have introduced innovative new programs and expanded into two additional regions over the last few years,” stated Steve Colón, chief executive officer of Bottom Line. “Our growth was catalyzed by the generosity of MacKenzie Scott and numerous national and local partners. Now, with Farhad’s expertise and passion for our mission, we are confident in achieving the impact we are aiming for.”

Asghar joins Bottom Line after serving as a program officer with the Carnegie Corporation of New York, where he managed the Pathways to Postsecondary Success portfolio. He brings a history of experience in managing direct service programs, strategic partnerships, and fundraising initiatives in higher education, large nonprofits, and community-based organizations.

Prior to his tenure at the Carnegie Corporation, Asghar held positions including executive director of community partnerships for the College Board’s Access to Opportunity program, associate vice president for development and external relations, associate dean at Bank Street College of Education, and director of the Liberty LEADS college access program. He began his career teaching English at a Brooklyn public high school and holds a BA in English literature and secondary education from City University of New York’s Brooklyn College, as well as a Master of Public Administration from New York University’s Wagner School of Public Service. Asghar is a naturalized U.S. citizen who moved from Pakistan to Queens, New York, with his family as a child.

“As an immigrant and first-generation college student, my professional success and everything good in my life came from timely guidance, optimistic persistence, and a healthy dose of good luck. I am thrilled to join Bottom Line because consistent, caring allies are key for students to go far in life,” expressed Farhad Asghar.