Ƶ Academy Assistant Director John Pickett presented information about the academic and non-cognitive skills necessary in the college-planning process to enhance college access and success efforts.
On April 25, 2017, John Pickett, assistant director of scholar support for the Ƶ Academy, presented at the annual Prepãrate Conference in Orlando, Florida. Prepãrate is a conference hosted by the College Board and is for educational professionals who want to make a difference for Latinx students.

The Ƶ Academy is a nonprofit college access and success program for academically-promising high school students in Alamance County with a financial need and/or no family history of college. The mission of the Ƶ Academy is to inspire underrepresented, yet academically promising, students to pursue higher education, build leadership skills, and develop an active sense of social responsibility.