Meet Chance Archer
When Chance Archer enrolled in the Reynolds Advance College Academies (ACA) program at Patrick Henry High School, he wasn’t looking for guarantees—he was looking for one thing: a chance.
“I came to Reynolds not seeking a guarantee, but simply a chance,” he said. “A chance to prove that my circumstances would not define my future.”
For Chance, those circumstances were daunting. Raised in a home without a father and with a mother facing instability, he shouldered adult responsibilities from a young age. By sixteen, he was living independently—working multiple jobs to support himself and care for his autistic half-brother.
Most students his age were focused on homework and hobbies. Chance was balancing AP and IB classes with college coursework, all while tutoring, working as a swim instructor and lifeguard at the YMCA, and picking up hours at Lululemon. He rose daily at 4:00 a.m. for swim training, studied late into the night, and still made time to lead.
Despite these challenges, he became Class President at Patrick Henry and founded a nonprofit called One Small Chance, inspired by his own experience of starting middle school without even basic supplies. The organization provides school materials, mentorship, and athletic scholarships to disadvantaged youth—offering them the opportunities he once lacked.
“I never wanted others to experience what I did—waking up the first day of school with nothing,” he shared. “It was more than just stressful. It was a reminder of everything I didn’t have. So, I built something to change that for others.”
Chance credits Reynolds—and specifically the ACA program—with helping him develop not only academically, but mentally and emotionally.
“ACA didn’t just prepare me for college,” he said. “It taught me how to manage complexity, how to stay curious, how to ask better questions—even when life was difficult.”
He found community and structure during a time when he was building his life from scratch. “The support I found in my professors and peers helped me believe in my potential,” he said. “People like Dr. Jennifer Caseldine-Bracht challenged me to think deeply, especially in her Ethics class. That course helped me reframe my nonprofit work—not just as charity, but as a moral responsibility.”
The ACA program also gave Chance a head start in his higher education journey. By the time he graduated from high school in June, he already held an associate degree in Social Science from Reynolds—and over 53 transferable college credits.
This fall, Chance will attend the University of Virginia on a full scholarship as a Posse Scholar. He plans to major in Political Philosophy, Policy, and Law, and minor in Spanish. His long-term goal is to pursue a joint MD/JD degree, combining legal and medical expertise to craft policy that drives systemic reform.
“My work is rooted in something bigger than myself,” Chance said. “I’ve never tried to look successful—I’ve tried to be useful. I want to create structure where there is none. I want to help others like me realize that they’re not defined by what they lack.”
His advice for other students who may be struggling?
“You are not what you lack. Grades, money, support—none of that defines your potential,” he said. “You don’t need perfect conditions to grow. You just need one opportunity. One small chance can change everything.”
To students considering Reynolds, he offers this: “Go in with humility, but don’t shrink yourself. Reynolds isn’t a backup—it’s a launchpad. If you use it that way, you’ll be amazed where it can take you.”
Chance’s journey is far from over, but he has already proven that where you start doesn’t limit how far you can go.
With unwavering determination, a heart for service, and a mind built for change, Chance Archer is ready to lead—and ready to give others the same opportunity he seized for himself.
Because sometimes, one small chance is all it takes.
For more about the Advance College Academies at Reynolds, visit our website.